Polymeric micro-filter manufactured by a dissolving mold technique

For filtration applications, we developed a process involving a 'dissolving mold technique' to fabricate polymeric filter membranes which have high aspect ratio pores with narrow pore size distribution. The dissolving mold technique has some advantages over the existing membrane microfabrication methods. Firstly, it resolves thoroughly the demolding problem by dissolving an interim polymer pillar mold, and secondly, it solves the membrane-folding (curling) problem upon releasing the membrane from the mold by integrating a support mesh bonding layer before dissolving of the interim pillar mold. This process is capable of fabricating filter membranes having micrometer and potentially nanometer pore sizes. The fabricated membranes have good mechanical properties, high porosity, smooth surface and uniform pore size distribution.