Micro fabricated fountain pen apparatus and method for ultra high density biological arrays

A method for forming a high density array of spots on a substrate for biological applications, the method comprising:

• providing a dispensing apparatus, the dispensing apparatus comprising an elongated member having at least a trench region that extends from a first portion of the elongated member to an opening on a tip portion;
• applying the tip to a surface of the substrate at an angle whereupon the angle ranges from a position normal to the surface of the substrate;
• and
• dispensing fluid through the trench region that extends from the first portion of the elongated member to the opening at the tip to form a fluid region having a size of a dimension substantially equal to a width of the opening of the trench.

A method for manufacturing a fountain pen dispenser for biological applications, the method comprising:

• providing a substrate, the substrate having an upper surface, a bottom surface, and a thickness defined there between;
• forming a trench region within the substrate from the upper surface, the trench region having a length and a width;
• patterning at least the bottom surface of the substrate to define an elongated member from the substrate, the elongated member having the trench region defined therein, whereupon the trench region extends from an upper portion to a lower portion of the elongated member along a length of the elongated member;
• etching to free the tip and substantially define the elongated member;
• and
• coating a portion of the trench region including the opening with a hydrophilic material.

A method for manufacturing a fountain pen dispenser, the method comprising:

• providing a substrate, the substrate having a top surface, a bottom surface, and a thickness defined between the top surface and bottom surface;
• patterning the top surface of the substrate to define a trench region having a length and width;
• and
• forming an elongated member having the trench region defined therein from the substrate, the elongated member having a tip portion coupled to an opening of the trench region.