Mircofabrication technology for polycaprolactone, a biodegradable polymer

In this paper, we report the development of micromachining techniques for a biodegradable polymer for the first time. By virtue of their ability to na turally degrade in tissues, biodegradable polymers hold immense promise as new materials for implantable biomedical microdevices. This work focuses on the establishment of microfabrication processes for biodegradable microstr uctures and microdevices. Three unique fabrication processes have been esta blished: (1) a micro-molding process to form 3D microstructures in polycapr olactone (PCL) via a silicon micromachined mold, (2) a method of transferri ng metal patterns to surfaces of PCL substrates, (3) techniques for sealing both dry and liquid-filled PCL micro-cavities with a metal thin Nm (e.g. g old). The chemical compatibility of PCL with common micromachining chemical s have been investigated.