Templated and Nanostructured Polymer Layered Colloids—From Non-Lithographic Patterning to Melt Processing

The discovery and investigation of new phenomena in polymer colloidal materials can be based on random or even designed structures that are capable of stimuli-responsive properties. Polymers can be designed from the macromolecular level where the processing conditions play a very important role in their eventual macroscopic properties. In this talk, we will focus on interfaces, particles, and microparticles mainly accessed by templating and layering to enable chemo-responsive properties observed by actuation and swelling. This will be based on polymer particles processes through non-lithographic methods. We hereby demonstrate the following systems: 1) Bilayer based folding origami-like structures via folding of reactive ion etched patterns and multilayer assemblies, 2) Colloidal particles by melt polymer extruded polymer layers capable of swelling and incorporation of dyes to enable controlled release, and 3) Fabrication of smart colloidally templated surfaces capable of controlled wetting and separation. We report the phenomena as well as the possibilities for actual applications.