The University of Ottawa is pleased to invite qualified proponents to submit a proposal for a Two-Photon Polymerization Printer System.
Scope of Project:
The University of Ottawa solicits a high resolution 3D printer using two-poton polymerization technology. Two-photon polymerization technology is widely used in the material, device, prototype research and development in the field of thin film science/engineering, which is well aligned with research objectives in Center for Hybrid Interfaces and Intelligent Thin-Films (HIIT). HIIT will accelerate the translation from material development to prototype production by providing world-cld-class experties and infrastructure required to tailor and process hybrid, advanced thin film and interfaces.
General Description:
Two-photon polymerization (2PP) micro and nano 3D printing is a highly advanced and precise method of 2D/3D manufacturing technology that utilizes the unique properties of focused laser light and photoresistors to create complex, high-resolution structures at micro/nanoscale. Distinguished from conventional layered-structure, 2PP process is able to fabricate device with extremely fine feature (less than 200 nm) surpassing the capabilities of traditional printing method. This assists in advancing research in HIIT by exploring structures and devices that would otherwise be challenging to fabricate reliably and efficiently using alternative methods.
Material: Generally, light-sensitive polymers, which changes its phase from liquid to solid phases upon exposure to light. Polymer molecules initiate a polymerization reaction that links monomer molecules into a polymer chain.
- Light system: Two photon polymerization (2PP) uses a highly focused, ultrafast pulsed laser enabling emitting short pulse (picosecond/femto-second range) to achieve polymerization where light is absorbed by the material. The light is well focused onto a small spot within the volume of the polymer material where two photons are absorbed simultaneously. This focused light induces high enough energy needed to initiate the polymerziation reaction. In the polymer bath, unfocused area does not show any polymerization reaction where liquid phase stays owing to the energy difficiency. This enalbes extremely precise polymerization reaction at a high-resolution manner to create a complicated structure at the nanoscale.
- Process type: 2PP process is defined as layer-by-layer fomration. By manipulating light source both by moving light itself or by steering the beam route by mirrors, the desired (CAD-file) is fabricated.
- Applications: Owing the high-resolution and precision of fabricated objects, 2PP has been used in the field of microfluidics, biomedical, photonic, micro-electromechnical system (MEMS), and optical devices.
Specifications listed in Appendix A – Technical Specifications Compliance Form of this RFP are the mandatory minimum requirements for the Two-Photon Polimerization Printer System.
1.0 - Two Photon Polymerization System
1.1 - Light (Laser) source power must be higher than 100 mW.
1.2 - The beam positioning precision must be better than 1 µm.
1.3 - Laser pulse must be shorter than 10 ps.
1.4 - Full-width-half-maximum of Laser wavelength must be less than 20 nm.
1.5 - The system must include automated beam focusing.
1.6 - Real-time monitoring camera (or microscope) must be installed.
1.7 - The fabricated feature resolution must be better than 200 nm in lateral direction.
1.8 - The fabricated feature resolution must be better than 700 nm in vertical direction.
1.9 - The proposed solution must be able to print an overall object of more than 10 mm X 10 mm X 10 mm volume.
1.10 - Writing area must be larger than 50 mm X 50 mm.
1.11 - The surface roughness of fabricated object must be less than 50 nm.
1.12 - The system must include dust-proof enclosure.
2.0 - Software and Computer
2.1 - Process software must be available directly from supplier.
2.2 - Software must be compatible with Windows or MacOs.
2.3 - Software must be capable of loading a CAD-file.
2.4 - Software must be capable of handling a large design file (up to 100 MB)
2.5 - A computer with design and processing software must be provided.
3.0 - Service and Maintenance
3.1 - Proponent must include environmental operational conditions for temperature, humidity and vibration isolation.
3.2 - Submission must include all costs for installation (including but not limited to: pump and gas regulators), environmental operational conditions, shipping, handling, commissioning and training.
3.3 - Proponent must include 1 year warranty covering but not limited to: emergency service, replacement parts, and travel, application support, training, and preventive service.
3.4 - AMENDED (Refer to Amendment 2) - Must provide customer references for installed equipment of same model/series (Please refer to Appendix E – Reference Consent Form).
4.0 - Safety Measures
4.1 - The equipment must include emergency shut-off measures.
5.0 - Other
5.1 - All electrical components must have CSA (Canadian Standards Association) certification, or accepted equivalent as per Electrical Safety Authority Recognized Certification Mark at the following link: https://esasafe.com/electrical-products/recognized-certification-marks/
Otherwise, all electrical components must be able to undergo the appliable electrical inspection, and/or, certification, without voiding the system warranty.
