Dr. Wes Hoffman at Edwards AFB, CA, in the Propulsion Directorate, developed microtube technology and has been issued five patents. One advantage of this technology is that tubes can be crafted rather inexpensively out of practically any material in a variety of precise cross-sectional and axial shapes. Microtubes have significant potential for both the warfighter and commercial industry. It is not hard to envision a microscopic world filled with mechanical devices, such as the accelerometer manufactured as a sensor for air-bag actuation, micro-fluidic devices, biosensors for glucose, and disposable blood pressure sensors that are inserted into the body.

Microtubes are so small that dozens can fit into the diameter of a single strand of human hair. In contrast to tubing currently available on the market, microtubes can be crafted from almost any material with precisely controlled composition, diameter, and wall thickness in a range of lengths. To date, tubes ranging in sizes from 0.5-410 microns have been made from metals, such as copper, gold, and platinum; ceramics, such as carbon, sapphire, and silicon nitride; glasses; polymers; alloys; and layered combinations. The application of microtubes works equally well for high and low temperature materials.

The microtube process does not involve pultrusion, extrusion, or drawing, but rather a simple fugitive tube-forming process. This allows for cross-sectional shapes and wall thickness to be accurately controlled to a fraction of a micron, something not possible with other available processes. It also allows the fabrication of tubes with almost any axial geometry. The maximum length of the tubes is yet to be determined, depending on many variables. However, for most applications conceived to date, the length need only be a few centimeters.

Contact: Ranney Adams (661) 275-5465

---