Thermally controlled fluidic self-assembly

Abstract

Methods and apparatuses are provided for assembling a structure on a support having a pattern of binding sites. In accordance with the method, a first fluid is provided on the surface of the support with the first fluid being of a type that that increases viscosity when cooled, the first fluid having first micro-components suspended therein each adapted to engage the binding sites. First fluid proximate to selected binding sites is cooled to increase the viscosity of the responsive fluid proximate to the selected binding sites so that the first micro-components suspended in the first fluid are inhibited from engaging the selected binding sites.

1 . An apparatus for assembling a micro-assembled structure on a support having binding sites thereon, the apparatus comprising:
 a fluid source adapted to apply a first fluid having first micro-components therein onto the support, said first micro-components being adapted to engage the binding sites and said first fluid being of a type that increases viscosity when cooled; and   a cooling applicator adapted to apply a cooling material to the support so that the support cools the first fluid to increase the viscosity of the first fluid proximate to the selected binding sites so that micro-components are inhibited from engaging the selected binding sites.   
   
   
       2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the fluid source is adapted to apply the first fluid in a first time period and to introduce micro-components into the first fluid at a second, later, time period after the viscosity of the first fluid proximate to the selected binding sites has been increased. 
   
   
       3 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , further comprising a cleaning system adapted to remove the first fluid and any non-engaged first micro-components from the support. 
   
   
       4 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , further comprising a second fluid source adapted to apply a second fluid having second micro-components therein onto the support, said second micro-components being adapted to engage the binding sites. 
   
   
       5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a cooling pattern comprising at least one contact adapted to engage the support and operatively associated with coolant so that energy can flow from areas of the support that are proximate to selected binding sites to the coolant. 
   
   
       6 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the cooling pattern has addressable actuators to move selected chilled contacts from a pattern of chilled projections into contact with the support, to selectively cool the support in areas proximate to the selective binding sites. 
   
   
       7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the cooling apparatus comprises a chilled pattern roller. 
   
   
       8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising source of a coolant fluid and at least one nozzle adapted to controllably deliver coolant fluid to the support proximate to the selected binding sites. 
   
   
       9 . An apparatus for assembling a structure using a support having binding sites thereon, the apparatus comprising:
 a means for providing onto the support a first fluid of a type that increases viscosity when cooled;   a means for selectively cooling the first fluid proximate to selected binding sites; and   a means for exposing the support to a first slurry of a carrier fluid having a first type of micro-components therein, so that the first type of micro-components can engage the non-selected binding sites.   
   
   
       10 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , further comprising a means for removing the first type of micro-components and a means for disabling the means for selectively cooling the first thermally responsive fluid proximate to selected binding sites so that the increases in the viscosity of the fluid proximate to the binding sites can be dissipated.