Abstract: Better leveling procedures for patterning at the small scale including the nanoscale. A method comprising: providing at least one array of cantilevers comprising tips thereon, wherein the cantilevers comprise at least one relatively bright spot, or at least two relatively bright spots, near the tip upon viewing, providing a substrate, leveling the array and the substrate with respect to each other, wherein the relatively bright spot near the tip is viewed to determine a contact of the tip and substrate.

Abstract: Additive repair of advanced photomasks with low temperature or optical curing via direct write lithographic printing with sharp tips and cantilevers. The optical properties of the materials formed from the ink can be tuned (e.g., n and k values). Sol gel inks, including silsesquioxane inks, can be used to form MoSi compositions. The repaired photomasks are resistant to washing under normal photomask washing conditions. AFM instrumentation can be used to perform the additive repair to provide the high resolution and registration.

Abstract: Nanostructures and microstructures are formed by patterning methods such as Dip Pen Nanolithography (DPN) or microcontact printing of organic molecules functioning as a resist on a substrate followed by an etching step. The etch resist is a patterning composition and can contain on a substrate including polyethylene glycol (PEG). Positive and negative etch methods can be used.

Abstract: Better leveling procedures for patterning at the small scale including the nanoscale. A method comprising: providing at least one array of cantilevers comprising tips thereon, wherein the cantilevers comprise at least one relatively bright spot, or at least two relatively bright spots, near the tip upon viewing, providing a substrate, leveling the array and the substrate with respect to each other, wherein the relatively bright spot near the tip is viewed to determine a contact of the tip and substrate.

Abstract: Improved patterning at small scale including nanoscale. A method comprising: providing at least one cantilever comprising at least one tip thereon, and a material deposited on the tip, contacting the cantilever with a substrate so that the material is deposited from the tip onto the substrate to form a material deposit, wherein the temperature of the substrate is adapted to control a size of the material deposit. A device comprising: at least one heat sink, at least one heating or cooling stage, at least one vacuum system, wherein the device is adapted to function with a substrate to be subjected to a material deposition and to keep the substrate temperature substantially constant during deposition.

Abstract: Improved methods for loading arrays of tips with a material for subsequent deposition of the material from the tip to the substrate. Tip loading can be done by controlled vapor deposition which reduces the amount of non-specific material deposition onto a substrate. Improved nanoscale and microscale engineering and lithography can be achieved. Applications include better cellular studies including stem cell studies and stem cell differentiation control.

Abstract: An article comprising: at least one solid substrate comprising at least one surface providing a surface area of at least one square millimeter, wherein the surface comprises a homogeneous array of material deposits which covers at least 90% of the surface area. Edge-to-edge patterning and large area substrates can be achieved. Applications include growth of cells.

Abstract: An ink composition comprising: a plurality of metallic nanoparticles suspended in a carrier, wherein the carrier comprises water and at least one organic solvent miscible with water, and wherein the composition is formulated for slow dry rate and proper viscosity for DPN. Also, a method comprising: depositing a composition onto a cantilever, wherein the composition comprises a plurality of metallic nanoparticles suspended in a carrier, wherein the carrier comprises water and at least one organic solvent miscible with water. The composition can be used in direct writing onto surfaces to form patterns and arrays using cantilevers, microcontact printing, ink jet printing, and other methods. The composition is particularly useful for preparing nanoscale features and forming high quality continuous conductive lines and dots, including silver based lines and dots. Applications include surface repair.