Ink-Jetting of Polymers and Biomaterials

Inkjet printing is a very common and largely developed technology in desktop printers. A wide range of diverse technologies, with different principles of drop generation, fall into the inkjet printing category. Inkjet technology, particularly the drop-on-demand mode for drop generation, is widely applicable in micro/nano electromechanical systems (MEMS/NEMS) and is promising for further developments in this domain. We are investigating the potentials of inkjet printing for the fabrication of MEMS and NEMS as well as life-science applications. We utilise inkjet as a direct-patterning and non-contact method to dispense different polymers, with viscosities ranging from 1-60 mPas with droplet diameters ranging from 30-100 um. In our contribution, we describe applications of ink-jetting of polymers in combination with micro-moulding and on pre-structured substrates. Surface biotechnology is another application range where inkjet is a promising tool for rapid micro-arraying or cell sorting. In our contribution we present the use of inkjet as a tool for chemical dosing of biomaterials, and for transporting and sampling cells. Early results have shown almost no cell damage compared to the control, with printed cells remaining viable.