Our research focuses on the development and application of Dip-Pen Nanolithography* (DPN*). DPN is a versatile tool for nanotechnology that enables the resolution of electron beam lithography, integration capabilities typical of inkjet printing, and a high throughput comparable to microcontact printing. When biological lipids (e.g. phospholipids) are used as the ink for DPN, it becomes possible to generate nanoarrays with spot sizes below 100 nm and throughput of cm2/min on a variety of substrates. Being a major structural and functional component of biological membranes, the use of phospholipids as an ink for DPN opens a variety of applications such as model membranes, protein templating, cell-culture systems and biosensor fabrication.
Lipid DPN: Parallel arrays of DPN tips can be used to simultaneously integrate
multiple functional materials onto the same surface.
Capabilities:
- A variety of surfaces can be functionalised by fluid phospholipids using dip-pen nanolithography.
- <100 nm resolution with a throughput of ~ 5 cm2 / min has been demonstrated.
- Multilayer thickness can be controlled, from ~ 2-200 nm.
- Functional materials developed for liposomes can be dispersed in the ink.
- Multiple inks can be simultaneously integrated on the surface.
The DPN instrumentation and expertise are available to external users world-wide via the Karlsruhe NanoMicro Facility (KNMF) and the European project, EUMINAFab.
Protein Templating: Functional lipids are used as templates for protein binding.
Sub-cellular Integration: Two different proteins integrated on sub-cellular scales.
*DPN and Dip Pen Nanolithography are registered trademarks of NanoInk, Inc.
