Dip-Pen Nanolithography(DPN): from Micro/Nano-patterns to Biosensing

Abstract

ip-pen nanolithography is an emerging and attractive surface modification technique that has the capacity to directly and controllably write micro/nano-array patterns on diverse substrates. The superior throughput, resolution, and registration enable DPN an outstanding candidate for biological detection from the molecular level to the cellular level. Herein, we overview the technological evolution of DPN in terms of its advanced derivatives and DPN-enabled versatile sensing patterns featuring multiple compositions and structures for biosensing. Benefitting from uniform, reproducible, and large-area array patterns, DPN-based biosensors have shown high sensitivity, excellent selectivity, and fast response in target analyte detection and specific cellular recognition. We anticipate that DPN-based technologies could offer great potential opportunities to fabricate multiplexed, programmable, and commercial array-based sensing biochips.

High Precision 3D Printing for Micro to Nano Scale Biomedical and Electronic Devices

“…The sensors proved to have high sensitivity, selectivity and fast response in detection and cell recognition. The study adapted the micro-/nano scale into the design by successfully depositing a 30 nm molecule based line on a gold thin film [40]. Meanwhile Liu et al developed 3D DPN via rapidly UV-curable liquid co-polymer ink with appropriate viscoelastic properties.…”

Mechanochemical Lithography

“…In parallel, a few “constructive” strategies have also been developed to produce patterned microstructures by delivering inks to the surface directly. For example, Whitesides and co-workers developed microcontact printing (μCP) techniques for patterning various small molecules or proteins through physisorption or chemisorption. − Gaub and co-workers developed an atomic force microscopy (AFM) tip-based single-molecule cut-and-paste technique to transport and deposit bimolecules. − Mirkin and co-workers pioneered the use of dip-pen nanolithography (DPN) and polymer-pen lithography (PPL) to fabricate multiplexed protein arrays. − Although these methods provide a convenient way to fabricate protein patterns, they are still restricted by some drawbacks, such as the limited ink load, the viscous drag of the diffusion of high molecular weight proteins, the decrease of protein bioactivity on a dried tip, and the unstable linkage to the substrate. − Recently, some techniques that can use external energy to trigger chemical reactions at the printing positions have been introduced, which may potentially improve the pattern resolution and avoid uncontrolled broadening of pattern features in the liquid transfer process. These methods may also yield stable bonding between ink molecules and surfaces due to the formation of covalent linkages.…”