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Atomic force microscopy (AFM) in conjunction with microfluidic delivery was utilized to produce three-dimensional (3D) lipid structures following a custom design. While AFM is well-known for its spatial precision in imaging and 2D nanolithography, the development of AFM-based nanotechnology into 3D nanoprinting requires overcoming the technical challenges of controlling material delivery and interlayer registry. This work demonstrates the concept of 3D nanoprinting of amphiphilic molecules such as 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (POPC). Various formulations of POPC solutions were tested to achieve point, line, and layer-by-layer material delivery. The produced structures include nanometer-thick disks, long linear spherical caps, stacking grids, and organizational chiral architectures. The POPC molecules formed stacking bilayers in these constructions, as revealed by high-resolution structural characterizations. The 3D printing reached nanometer spatial precision over a range of 0.5 mm. The outcomes reveal the promising potential of our designed technology and methodology in the production of 3D structures from nanometer to continuum, opening opportunities in biomaterial sciences and engineering, such as in the production of 3D nanodevices, chiral nanosensors, and scaffolds for tissue engineering and regeneration.
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This content will become publicly available on February 1, 2026
A New Means to Generate Liposomes by Rehydrating Engineered Lipid Nanoconstructs
The concept and feasibility of producing liposomes by rehydrating engineered lipid nanoconstructs are demonstrated in this study. Nanoconstructs of 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (POPC) were produced using a microfluidic delivery probe integrated with an atomic force microscope. The subsequent rehydration of these POPC constructs led to the formation of liposomes, most of which remained adhered to the surface. The size (e.g., diameter) of the liposomes could be tuned by varying the lateral dimension of the lipid constructs. Hierarchical liposomal structures, such as pentagons containing five liposomes at the corners, could also be designed and produced by depositing lipid constructs to designated locations on the surfaces, followed by rehydration. This new means allows for regulating liposomal sizes, distributions, and compositions. The outcomes benefit applications of liposomes as delivery vehicles, sensors, and building blocks in biomaterials design. The ability to produce hierarchical liposomal structures benefits numerous applications such as proto-cell development, multiplexed bio-composite materials, and the engineering of local bio-environments.
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- Award ID(s):
- 2304986
- PAR ID:
- 10627824
- Publisher / Repository:
- ACS
- Date Published:
- Journal Name:
- Micromachines
- Volume:
- 16
- Issue:
- 2
- ISSN:
- 2072-666X
- Page Range / eLocation ID:
- 138
- Format(s):
- Medium: X
- Sponsoring Org:
- National Science Foundation
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