MICROSTRUCTURED MATERIAL AND PROCESS FOR ITS MANUFACTURE

摘要

A micro-structured article is disclosed comprising a free-standing network of interconnected traces surrounding randomly-shaped cells wherein the interconnected traces comprise at least partially-joined nanoparticles. In a preferred embodiment, the nanoparticles comprise a conductive metal. The article is preferably formed by coating a nanoparticle-containing emulsion onto a substrate and drying the emulsion. The nanoparticles self-assemble into the network pattern which is subsequently removed from the substrate. A preferred method of removing the network from the substrate comprises the steps of electroplating the traces and subsequently exposing the traces to acid to release the network from the substrate.