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What are shadow masks, and why are they useful? Shadow masks are thin plates with small holes and features patterned into them, used to direct and concentrate electron beams. They can provide a more cost-effective and efficient alternative to photolithography, and overturn the need for photo resist or e-beam lithography. One might use a shadow…

Cells. The smallest units of life. They make up who we are, and so, it’s imperative we become progressively educated about them. Cell culturing allows scientists to grow and maintain cells, in vitro. Researchers at the University of California, Santa Cruz are currently developing a more efficient way to monitor human cell cultures, encased in…

This week, I had the opportunity to work in the labs with our Director of Operations, Mike Davis. He explained and demonstrated the complete process of production for a customer’s part. The Process In the words of Sun Tzu, author of The Art of War, “Every battle is won before it is fought.” This is…

  Anna The Manufacturing Maven: Blog #1     What are Microfluidic Devices? If you know Potomac, you know that “Microfluidic” is a buzzword around here. But chances are, you don’t understand exactly what that means. According to the National Cancer Institute, a microfluidic device is an “an instrument that uses very small amounts of…

RAPID +TCT is without doubt the premier 3D Printing conference and trade show in the nation. But this year something was different. Yes, the latest, greatest additive manufacturing innovations were at the forefront of discussions. Of course, industry gurus gave their usual predictions about the future of the industry. But something had changed. RAPID in…

Reflecting on the recent Earth Day, it seems that innovation has always been the key to solving problems. From laser inventors Schawlow and Townes to the original Silicon Valley entrepreneurs Hewlett and Packard, creative thinkers in science and engineering have tackled the world’s problems and turned them into opportunities for innovating solutions. Today’s climate change…

Speed is at the center of today’s world, especially as biotech, medical device, microelectronics and consumer products companies vie to get new innovations to market ahead of their competition. From rapid prototyping and iterative process development to high volume manufacturing, quick parts fabrication is essential every step of the way. Looking to exponentially accelerate our…

Since IBM’s development in 1989 of SU-8 photoresist for use as a key component for high-resolution microelectronics manufacturing, other industries have adopted the photosensitive polymer for a wide range of applications.  Whether fabricating microfluidics, micro pillars and cylinders, tiny gears and cantilevers, or optical waveguides, SU-8’s unique material properties expand the capabilities of miniature products. …

Perhaps the greatest benefit to being a graduate student is the opportunity to work with faculty who are conducting innovative research at the forefront of their fields.  Biomedical engineering Ph.D. candidate Christos Michas is doubly fortunate since his area of study at Boston University [BU] combines the micro-scale 3D printing work of physicist Alice White…