Patterning: Principles and Some New Developments

Abstract This article provides an overview of various patterning methodologies, and it is organized into three major sections: generation of patterns, replication of patterns, and three‐dimensional patterning. Generation of patterns from scratch is usually accomplished by serial techniques that are able to provide arbitrary features. The writing process can be carried out in many different ways. It can be achieved using a rigid stylus; or a focused beam of photons, electrons, and other energetic particles. It can also be accomplished using an electrical or magnetic field; or through localized add‐on of materials such as a liquid‐like ink from an external source. In addition, some ordered but relatively simple…