| abstract |
Techniques for patterning chemically or biochemically active agents on a substrate surface involve providing a micromold having a contoured surface including indentations defining a pattern and forming, on a substrate surface, a chemically or biochemically active agent or fluid precursor of a structure on the surface. A chemically or biochemically active agent or fluid precursor also can be transferred from indentations in an applicator to a substrate surface. The substrate surface can be planar or non-planar. Fluid precursors of polymeric structures, inorganic ceramics and salts, and the like can be employed to form patterned polymeric articles, inorganic salts and ceramics, etc. at the surface. The articles, according to one aspect, are formed in a pattern including a portion having a lateral dimension of less than about 1 millimeter. Smaller dimensions can be achieved. The indentation pattern of the applicator can be used to transfer separate, distinct chemically or biochemically active agents or fluid precursors to separate, isolated regions of a substrate surface. The invention provides for inexpensive and simple synthesis of a combinatorial chemical or biochemical library. |