Writing and spotting at the micro- and nanoscale.
With any ink. In liquid & air.
From µm to cm - any pattern with sub-micrometer resolution
Our long-range XY-stage enables precise printing of 2.5D patterns at any size from µm to cm.
Print spots from micro- to nanoscale, choosing the appropriate FluidFM probe type (apertures ranging from 300 nm to 8 µm).
Millimeter-sized patterns with micrometer resolution for cell patterning:
A. Saftics et al. Biomimetic dextran-based hydrogel layers for cell micropatterning over large areas using the FluidFM BOT technology. Langmuir, 2019.
Fine patterns with nanometer resolution:
J.V. de Souza et al. Three-Dimensional Nanoprinting via Direct Delivery. The Journal Of Physical Chemistry B, 2017.
Choose the most adequate nozzle geometry and size
FluidFM nanopipette
- - Direct ink-substrate contact
- - Sub-micrometer lines
- For high-resolution patterns - In liquid & air
FluidFM nanosyringe
- - Controlled tip-substrate contact
- - Sub-micrometer lines
- For high-resolution patterns - In air
FluidFM micropipette
- - Higher deposition rate
- 2, 4 and 8 µm diameter choice - - Ideal for spotting
- For high material deposition rate - In liquid & air
With any ink
Any liquid with viscosities ranging from 1 cP to 10'000 cP (water to honey) can be pipetted into the 1 µl reservoir and dispensed through our FluidFM probes.
Use virtually any soluble substance: DNA, RNA, proteins, nanoparticle solutions and many other.
A close view of the FluidFM probe consumable, integrating reservoir and micro- or nano- meter sized FluidFM nozzle/printing tip.
Print in liquid and in air. From nl to fl.
Highly reproducible.
Material can be deposited both in liquid and air environment.
When printing in air, the material transfer to a surface is mainly governed by pressure and capillary forces, while in liquid pressure and diffusion are key factors.
FluidFM can deposit volumes anywhere from sub fl to nL, depending of probe type and printing parameters.
The video shows an example of ~1 nL and ~50 fL droplet printing of protein solution on a functionalized surface in air.
Also next to living cells
Developed to work in physiological conditions and with transparent samples. Surfaces can be patterned in vitro or substances can be delivered onto cells.
H. Dermutz et al. Local polymer replacement for neuron patterning and in situ neurite guidance. Langmuir: the ACS journal of surfaces and colloids, 30(23), 7037 — 46, 2014.
M. J. Aebersold et al. Local Chemical Stimulation of Neurons with the Fluidic Force Microscope (FluidFM). ChemPhysChem, 1439-7641, 2017.
Ready to print in 5 minutes.
The preparation before an experiment just requires 5 minutes.
Fill the reservoir of the chosen FluidFM probe
Place samples and probe in the FluidFM Bio Series instrument
Fill the microchannel
Go to sample, load pattern
Print
Selected Publications
J. Zhang, H. Yu, B. Harris, et al. New Means to Control Molecular Assembly. ACS Publications, 2020.
A. Saftics et al. Biomimetic dextran-based hydrogel layers for cell micropatterning over large areas using the FluidFM BOT technology. Langmuir, 2019.
S. Mishra, Y. Lee & J. W. Park. Direct quantification of trace amounts of a chronic myeloid leukemia biomarker using locked nucleic acid capture probes. Analytical Chemistry, 2018.
M. J. Aebersold et al. Local Chemical Stimulation of Neurons with the Fluidic Force Microscope (FluidFM). ChemPhysChem, 1439-7641, 2017.
J.V. de Souza et al. Three-Dimensional Nanoprinting via Direct Delivery. The Journal Of Physical Chemistry B, 2017.
H. Dermutz et al. Local polymer replacement for neuron patterning and in situ neurite guidance. Langmuir: the ACS journal of surfaces and colloids, 30(23), 7037 — 46, 2014.
Principle: FluidFM precise dispensing of liquids
A gentle positive pressure through the microfluidic channel of a FluidFM probe allows to dispense liquids of any viscosities - from water to honey.
Depending on the pattern you need to print and the printing size you want to reach, you can choose between our FluidFM nanopipette with a 300 nm aperture, the FluidFM nanosyringe with a 600 nm aperture and our FluidFM micropipettes with apertures of 2, 4 and 8 µm.
FluidFM micropipette with a 4 µm aperture.
System: Cutting-edge
The FluidFM system is highly automated, easy to use and features a fully enclosing incubator. The temperature-controlled incubator is custom-designed and includes a HEPA filter system. A CO2 control add-on is available upon request. Benefit from simple preparation as well as extensive automation and data management.
Left: FluidFM system without incubator. Right: Custom-designed incubator.
Software: User-friendly & intuitive
Load your printing file with the specified pattern into the FluidFM operator software
Follow the instructions suggested by the software
Apply our recommended procedures to maximize the outcome of the experiment
Preview your pattern
Start the printing - the system autonomously prints according to the loaded file
Instruct the system to take the required images with predefined settings with just a few clicks
A specific pattern can be loaded from a file and graphically overlaid on the live microscopy image of your sample.
Fluorescence image of the pattern "FluidFM" printed with a nanopipette containing a solution of glycerol and propidium iodide.
Webinar with a live demo:
FluidFM nanoprinting
Get to know FluidFM as a tool for nanoprinting
Understand how FluidFM nanoprinting works and how it empowers your experiments
Learn which applications can benefit from FluidFM nanoprinting
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