Insights into the writing process of the mask-free nanoprinting fluid force microscopy technology

Abstract

Abstract Platelets are activated immediately when contacting with non-physiological surfaces. Minimization of surface-induced platelet activation is important not only for platelet storage but also for other blood-contacting devices and implants. Chemical surface modification tunes the response of cells to contacting surfaces, but it requires a long process involving many regulatory challenges to transfer into a marketable product. Biophysical modification overcomes these limitations by modifying only the surface topography of already approved materials. The available large and random structures on platelet storage bags do not cause a significant impact on platelets because of their smallest size (only 1–3 μm) compared to other cells. We have recently demonstrated the feasibility of the mask-free nanoprint fluid force microscope (FluidFM) technology for writing dot-grid and hexanol structures. Here, we demonstrated that the technique allows the fabrication of nanostructures of varying features including grid, circle, triangle, and Pacman-like structures. Characteristics of nanostructures including height, width, and cross-line were analyzed and compared using atomic force microscopy imaging. Based on the results, we identified several technical issues, such as the printing direction and shape of structures that directly altered nanofeatures during printing. Importantly, both geometry and interspace governed the degree of platelet adhesion, especially, the structures with triangular shapes and small interspaces prevent platelet adhesion better than others. We confirmed that FluidFM is a powerful technique to precisely fabricate a variety of desired nanostructures for the development of platelet/blood-contacting devices if technical issues during printing are well controlled.