Electromagnetic actuation and microchannel engineering of a polymer micropen array integrated with microchannels and sample reservoirs for biological assay patterning

Abstract

A polymer (SU-8) micropen array was fabricated for application to biological assay patterning. The micropen, which is integrated with a microchannel and a sample reservoir, can be actuated by Lorentz force induced on an integrated metal actuator. Current to a metal line deflects the micropen up to 1.8 mu m by electromagnetic force induced from external permanent magnets. Red ink is loaded in the reservoir and is automatically drawn to the end point of the microchannel by capillary force. A red-ink dot with a diameter of 11 mu m was successfully placed onto paper by the fabricated micropen. (c) 2007 American Institute of Physics.