US 12,011,736 B2
Methods and systems for large area and low defect monolayer ordering of microspheres and nanospheres
Dane Sievers, Fisher, IL (US); Sartaj Grewal, Champaign, IL (US); Lukas Janavicius, Champaign, IL (US); and Julian Michaels, Champaign, IL (US)
Assigned to The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois, Urbana, IL (US)
Filed by The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois, Urbana, IL (US)
Filed on Dec. 22, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/558,996.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/129,434, filed on Dec. 22, 2020.
Prior Publication US 2022/0193718 A1, Jun. 23, 2022
Int. Cl. B05D 1/20 (2006.01); B05C 3/05 (2006.01); B05C 11/02 (2006.01); B05C 11/11 (2006.01); B82Y 40/00 (2011.01); C09D 125/06 (2006.01); B82Y 30/00 (2011.01)
CPC B05D 1/204 (2013.01) [B05C 3/05 (2013.01); B05C 11/028 (2013.01); B05C 11/11 (2013.01); B05D 1/208 (2013.01); C09D 125/06 (2013.01); B82Y 30/00 (2013.01); B82Y 40/00 (2013.01)] 12 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method of assembling a colloidal crystal, the method comprising:
dispensing a first liquid onto a first portion of a surface of a first substrate;
dispensing a solution comprising colloidal spheres onto a second portion of the surface of the first substrate;
agitating the colloidal spheres so as to disperse the colloidal spheres along the first portion and the second portion of the surface of the first substrate;
directing air flow above the colloidal spheres inducing rotation of the colloidal spheres;
transferring the colloidal spheres from the first substrate to a second substrate, wherein the first substrate and second substrate are mounted on a platform, wherein transferring the colloidal spheres from the first substrate to the second substrate comprises:
adding a second liquid to the platform, such that the colloidal spheres float on the second liquid above the first substrate; and
moving the colloidal spheres along the surface of the second liquid such that the colloidal spheres are above the second substrate.