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

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 μm 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 μm was successfully placed onto paper by the fabricated micropen.