Fluid-mediated self-assembly of MEMS micro-capsules for liquid encapsulation and release

Liquid microencapsulation has shown a high interest at an academic and industrial level during the past decades as a key technology for drug delivery, fragrance release or self-healing materials among others. Its compatibility with smart microsystems fabrication processes is still an issue but may enable very advanced applications. Self-assembly has shown to be a very promising approach for parallel assembly of micro components where standard techniques show limitations. This book explores some of the key requirements for the development of self-assembling smart microcapsules able to exchange information with their environment. In a ? rst step, the focus is set on the fabrication of polymeric half-microcapsules having precisely-controlled shapes by on photolithography and inkjet printing technology onto silicon wafers. Various approaches for their face-selective surface treatment are also demonstrated. Subsequently, their ? uid-mediated self-assembly into two-component complete microcapsules entrapping a functional liquid is addressed.