Abstract
Probing the response of soft materials at small scales requires examining fundamental behaviors that are often distinct from large-scale interactions. In the development of micrometer- and nanometer-sized holes in soft materials, understanding failure modes becomes essential. We observe fracture behavior in a soft material through a novel method, which leads to the fabrication of small-scale holes in polydimethylsiloxane. We utilize an ultra-sharp tungsten needle to drill this soft elastomeric polymer; this results in controlled hole size and exhibits fracture characteristics observed in brittle materials at larger length scales. We also examine the macroscopic characteristics known to contribute to brittleness and hardness for this material’s response with respect to curing times. This understanding will contribute to many applications including the development of porous materials and DNA sequencing efforts.
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81.05.Lg; 81.40.Np; 82.35.Lr
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Cheng, CM., LeDuc, P. Microdrilling for fabricating micrometer-scale holes in soft matter. Appl. Phys. A 85, 195–198 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00339-006-3673-2
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00339-006-3673-2