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Production technology and applications of honeycomb films

Polymer Journal volume 54, pages 107–120 (2022)Cite this article

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Abstract

“Breath figure formation” during the casting process of polymer solutions under high atmospheric humidity provides honeycomb-patterned polymer films (honeycomb films) with regularly arranged micropores. The development of production technology for large-area honeycomb films is indispensable for their various applications. Manufacturing equipment consisting of three zones (for casting, humidification, and drying of polymer solutions) for successive formation of large-area honeycomb films was newly designed and constructed. By using this equipment, physicochemical experimental parameters, e.g., the surface temperature of polymer solutions, dew point of the humidification zone, humidification time, and interfacial tension between water and the polymer solution, were effectively changed to optimize the density and size of condensed water droplets. Large-area honeycomb films were formed by a roll-to-roll process. Herein, recent developments in biomedical applications of honeycomb films are described.

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Acknowledgements

Parts of these studies were supported by 2004–2005 R&D projects of regional regeneration consortiums commissioned by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry and 2007–2011 R&D projects commissioned by the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO) for practical application of nanotechnology and advanced materials. We are deeply grateful to these related departments and stakeholders as well as to Professor Kohji Nakazawa of the University of Kitakyushu, Associate Professor Hiroshi Yabu of Tohoku University, Professor Hidetoshi Nishida, Professor Tomohiro Takagi, and Professor Masashi Yamakawa of Kyoto Institute of Technology, Professor Masaru Tanaka of Kyushu University, Professor Yasutaka Matsuo of Hokkaido University, Associate Professor Yuji Hirai of Chitose Institute of Science and Technology and all those involved for their invaluable support in promoting each research area.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Bio Science & Engineering Laboratory, FUJIFILM Corporation, Ushijima, Kaisei-Machi, Ashigarakami-gun, Kanagawa, Japan

    Hidekazu Yamazaki & Soichi Kohashi

  2. Process Engineering & Technology Center, FUJIFILM Corporation, Nakanuma, Minamiashigara-shi, Kanagawa, Japan

    Soichi Kohashi

  3. AZUL Energy Inc., Sendai, Miyagi, Japan

    Koju Ito

  4. Research Institute for Electronic Science, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan

    Kuniharu Ijiro

  5. Chitose Institute of Science and Technology Department of Applied Chemistry and Biology, Chitose-City, Hokkaido, Japan

    Masatsugu Shimomura

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  1. Hidekazu Yamazaki
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Correspondence to Hidekazu Yamazaki.

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Yamazaki, H., Kohashi, S., Ito, K. et al. Production technology and applications of honeycomb films. Polym J 54, 107–120 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41428-021-00549-0

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