Microfabricated Deposition Tools for Creating NanoArrays

描述(申请人提供)：该SBIR第二阶段提案的目标是继续并扩大用于构建超微型生物材料阵列(纳米阵列)的微细加工表面图案化工具(SPT)的开发。SPTS可以被配置为类似于台式打印机中使用的预装分子墨盒，或者被配置为传统微阵列中的销钉工具打印头的超微型版本。SPT是我们构建的名为NanoArrayer的仪器的消耗性组件(在NIH R44 EB00316的支持下)。它们还将被配置为与商用原子力显微镜兼容。在拟议的第二阶段计划中，我们将重点增加在单个打印周期中创建的单个斑点的数量，同时保持高度的重复性和最小的样品交叉污染。我们将优化包含10个独立加载悬臂的线性阵列(1-D)SPT，然后在第二维进行扩展，最终形成一个平面2-D打印头，用于同时打印多达100个纳米阵列点，每个点都能够包含独特的生物分子物种。将重点控制样品的SPIL溢流(交叉污染)、斑点大小、印刷可重复性和SPT表面对准。我们还将开始探索在局部磁场悬臂控制、替代(非微悬臂)SPT设计以及可用于微流体和通过接触打印进行纳米射线克隆的软聚合物打印基板方面的前瞻性发展。在第二阶段计划结束时，我们将拥有一套基于STP的解决方案，适用于各种超微和纳米阵列应用。我们的通用化计划将在第二阶段开发计划中继续进行，并在研发过程中推出改进的SPT。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): The goal of this SBIR Phase II proposal is to continue and expand the development of microfabricated surface patterning tools (SPTs) for the construction of ultra miniaturized biomaterial arrays (nanoarrays). SPTs can be configured as either pre-loaded molecular ink cartridges analogous to those used in desktop printers, or as an ultraminiaturized version of the pin tool print head in a conventional microarr ayer. SPTs are a consumable component of an instrument we have constructed called NanoArrayer (with support from NIH R44 EB00316). They will also be configured to be compatible with commercial atomic force microscopes. In the proposed Phase II program we will focus on increasing the number of individual spots c reated in a single print cycle while maintaining a high degree of r eproducibility and minimal sample cross contamination. We will optimize linear array (1-D) SPTs containing 10 individually loaded cantilevers and then expand in a second dimension, culminating i n a planar 2-D print head for simultaneous printing of up to 100 nanoarray spots, each capable of containing a unique biomolecular species. E mphasis will be given to controlling sample spil lover (cross-contamination), spot size, printing repr oducibility and SPT-surface alignment. We will also begin to explore forward looking development in the areas of localized magnetic field cantilever control, alternative (non-microcantilever) SPT designs and soft polymer print substrates that can be used for microfluidics and for nanoar ray cloning via contact printing. At the end of the Phase II program we will have an ensemble of STP-based solutions for a variety of ultramicro- and nanoarray applications. Our commer cialization plan will continue throughout the Phase II development program with introduction of improved SPTs as they emerge from the R&D process.