Just the tip of the iceberg? The Nanofountain Probe (NFP) has been developed to produce molecular patterning at the sub‐100 nm scale. In conjunction with an atomic force microscope probe, the volcano‐shaped tip (shown in the SEM image) ensures controlled ink delivery from an on‐chip reservoir to provide high‐resolution patterning for manifold potential applications.

No abstract

A novel atomic force microscopy (AFM) probe has been developed to expand the capability and applications of dip-pen nanolithography (DPN) technology. This new probe has integrated microchannels and reservoirs for continuous ink feed, which allow “fountain-pen” writing called “Fountain Pen Nanolithography” (FPN). Ink is transported from the reservoirs through the microchannels and eventually dispensed onto substrates via a volcano-like dispensing tip. Numerical simulations have been performed to select optimal materials and suitable tip shapes providing a stable fluid-air interface in the tip. Microchannel and dispensing tip have been fabricated by surface micromachining, in particular employing 3 layers of thin films. Fluid flow through the microchannels has been experimentally examined. The probe was used to write on a gold substrate.