Reconfigurable lithographic structures

摘要

A lithographically structured device has an actuation layer and a control layer operatively connected to the actuation layer. The actuation layer includes a stress layer and a neutral layer that is constructed of materials and with a structure such that it stores torsional energy upon being constructed. The control layer is constructed to maintain the actuation layer substantially in a first configuration in a local environmental condition and is responsive to a change in the local environmental condition such that it permits a release of stored torsional energy to cause a change in a structural configuration of the lithographically structured device to a second configuration, the control layer thereby providing a trigger mechanism. The lithographically structured device has a maximum dimension that is less than about 10 mm when it is in the second configuration.

主权项

1. A method of encapsulating or gripping a sub-millimeter size object, comprising:
disposing a lithographically structured device proximate said sub-millimeter size object, said lithographically structured device having a first structural configuration; storing torsional energy in said lithographically structured device in said first structural configuration; and changing an environmental condition proximate said lithographically structured device to release said torsional energy to cause said lithographically structured device to change to a second structural configuration to thereby encapsulate or grip said object, wherein said lithographically structured device has a maximum dimension in said second structural configuration that is less than about 1 mm.