Delivery of biomolecules into cells through carbon nanotube arrays

A carbon nanotube (CNT) array, comprising:

• hollow carbon nanotubes arranged on a base;
• wherein the base comprises a first planar surface and a second planar surface;
• wherein the hollow carbon nanotubes extend from the first planar surface to the second planar surface, and comprise first open ports at the first planar surface and second open ports at the second planar surface;
• wherein the first open ports are inlet ports and the second open ports are outlet ports, and a fluid flow passage channel extends between pairs of inlet and outlet ports such that there is a fluidic communication between the first planar surface and the second planar surface of the base via the hollow carbon nanotubes;
• wherein the hollow carbon nanotubes comprise nanotubes having a diameter of from at least about 160 nm to at least about 250 nm;
• wherein the hollow carbon nanotubes comprise nanotubes arranged with about 350 nm to about 450 nm center-to-center spacing;
• wherein substantially all nanotubes in the CNT array extend no further than about 450 nm beyond the second planar surface of the base;
• and
• wherein the hollow carbon nanotubes have a configuration that enables support of a cell thereon without compromising the cell membrane.