FluidFM® Nanoprinting | Print any pattern at sub-micrometer resolution

FluidFM ®   Nanoprinting for researchers who need precise tools to manipulate, create and prototype on the nano- and microscale


FluidFM technology with its microfluidic probes offers unprecedented versatility and control to print patterns and explore nanostructure creation. Whether you are working with protein arrays for sensing applications, chemical gradients for cell migration studies, want to understand chemical processes in femtoliter droplets, or are interested to develop the next generation of nano-fabrication processes – FluidFM will open new doors for your research.
FluidFM Nanoprinting - Printing the FluidFM logo at sub-micrometer resolution

From femtoliter to nanoliter

Print femtoliter droplets or deposit up to nanoliter volumes.

From nm to cm 

Print features as small as 300 nm and create patterns up to cm in scale. 

1 to 10’000 cP viscosity 

Customers have printed with inks from 1 to 10’000 cP. From water to honey.

In air and in liquid

FluidFM technology works both immersed and in ambient conditions.

Wide range of inks

Water. Buffers. Oils. Acids. Solvents. Nanoparticles. And more.

FluidFM systems for patterning and nanoprinting

How the FluidFM technology can boost your nanoprinting experiments

Any pattern from µm to cm at sub-micrometer resolution

Our long-range XY-stage enables precise printing of 2.5D patterns at any size from µm to cm at sub-micrometer resolution. Spots can be printed from micro- to nanoscale with the appropriate FluidFM Probe type.

 
 
FluidFM Nanoprinting | FluidFM probe consumable integrating reservoir and micro- or nano- meter sized FluidFM nozzle/printing tip

A close view of the FluidFM Probe consumable, integrating reservoir and micro- or nano- meter sized FluidFM nozzle/printing tip.

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 made of silicon nitride. If needed, probes can be coated before use, eg with anti-fouling surface chemistry. Use virtually any soluble substance: DNA, RNA, proteins, nanoparticle solutions and many other.

From nl to fl. Highly reproducible.

FluidFM can deposit volumes anywhere from sub fl to nl, depending on probe type and printing parameters. Thanks to the highly reproducible FluidFM Probe geometry and the precise, pressure-controlled flow, you can expect reproducible results over many experiments. The video shows an example of ~1 nL and ~50 fL droplet printing of protein solution on a functionalized surface in air.

 
 

Print in liquid and in air. 

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.

Print next to living cells

FluidFM can operate immersed - on live cell cultures. Guide cell migration through chemical or protein printed patterns. Shower selected single cells with chemicals. Observe the effects real-time within the cell culture context, as FluidFM is fully compatible with inverted microscopes and transparent samples.

FluidFM Nanoprinting - Preview & printed pattern

Top: Preview of the pattern. Bottom: Fluorescence image of "FluidFM" printed with a nanopipette containing a solution of glycerol and propidium iodide.

Fast preparation & intuitive software

With the FluidFM OMNIUM, the experiment preparation just takes 5 minutes, and the user-friendly software makes the process extremely easy:

  • Fill the reservoir of the chosen FluidFM Probe
  • Place probe & sample into the system
  • Load your printing file containing the pattern
  • Follow the software instructions & recommended procedures
  • Preview your pattern and start the printing
  • The system autonomously prints according to the loaded file
  • Instruct the system to take the required images

Choose the most adequate nozzle geometry and size

Distinct patterns in various sizes can be easily printed due to the variety of available FluidFM Probe tips and aperture sizes ranging from 300 nm to 8 µm).

Discuss your experiments with FluidFM experts

Learn how researchers have benefited from using FluidFM in nanoprinting and patterning experiments

Find the ideal FluidFM system for your nanoprinting experiments

Find out more about our systems