Self-positioning microlens arrays prepared using ink-jet printing

We have employed ink-jet printing (IJP) technology to fabricate self-positioning microlens arrays (MLAs). The glass substrates were first prepatterned through microcontact printing (µCP) hydrophobic self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) to divide the surface into hydrophobic and hydrophilic regions. After IJP of the hydrophilic prepolymer liquids, the lenses were effectively repelled by the patterned SAMs. We obtained high-quality MLAs having diameters of 75 and 100 µm after polymerization of the prepolymers. The lenses' shapes could be controlled by varying the number of printed droplets.