Article having closed microchannels

Abstract

An article includes at least one substrate including a solid composite material having metal nanoparticles dispersed in a polymer that provides a polymer matrix. At least one closed microchannel is formed in the substrate. The solid composite material provides a top wall for the closed microchannel. Surface contacts are on respective ends of the microchannel which allows fluids to be introduced into and removed therefrom, such as for use as a microfluidic device.

1 . An article, comprising:
 at least one substrate comprising a solid composite material, said substrate comprising metal nanoparticles dispersed in a polymer that provides a polymer comprising matrix;   at least one closed microchannel formed in said substrate, wherein said solid composite material provides a top wall for said closed microchannel, and   surface contacts on respective ends of said closed microchannel that allows fluids to be introduced into and removed therefrom.   
     
     
         2 . The article of  claim 1 , wherein said metal nanoparticles comprises gold nanoparticles. 
     
     
         3 . The article of  claim 1 , wherein said polymer comprises poly(methylmethacrylate). 
     
     
         4 . The article of  claim 1 , wherein said metal nanoparticles comprise 0.2 to 10 weight percent of said substrate. 
     
     
         5 . The article of  claim 1 , wherein said substrate is a thin film having a thickness less than 10 μm. 
     
     
         6 . The article of  claim 1 , further comprising a coating layer on said substrate, wherein a concentration of metal nanoparticles in said coasting layer is less that a concentration of said metal nanoparticles in said substrate. 
     
     
         7 . The article of  claim 6 , wherein said coating layer is laminated to said substrate. 
     
     
         8 . The article of  claim 6 , wherein said coating layer comprises a polymer without said metal nanoparticles. 
     
     
         9 . The article of  claim 6 , wherein said coating layer comprises a second solid composite material including a second polymer comprising matrix having metal nanoparticles dispersed therein. 
     
     
         10 . The article of  claim 1 , wherein said metal nanoparticles are uniformly dispersed throughout a full volume of said polymer.