| abstract |
A method comprising: coupling a foam to a vibrator, wherein (a)(i) the foam includes first and second cells that share a ring of struts that provide structural support for the first and second cells, and (a)(ii) a membrane directly contacts the ring of struts; coupling an array of needles to the foam; vibrating the foam with the vibrator; in response to vibrating the foam, (b)(i) contacting at least one of the needles against at least one of the struts, (b)(ii) decoupling the at least one needle from the at least one strut and then coupling the at least one needle to the membrane, and (b)(iii) puncturing the membrane with the at least one needle and then puncturing additional membranes, also included in the foam, with the at least one needle to form a contiguous path configured to allow fluid to flow through the reticulated membranes. |