A new printer that can create tiny biomedical devices with high precision

Hummink NAZCA High-Precision Capillary Flow Printer

NIH-funded research Duke University · NIH-11101674

This study is testing a new high-precision printer that can help create tiny, advanced medical devices to improve tests for diseases and health monitoring, making it easier for doctors to detect important health markers.

Quick facts

Grant typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionDuke University NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Durham, United States)
Project IDNIH-11101674 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research focuses on developing the Hummink NAZCA High-Precision Capillary Flow Printer, which can deposit materials with a resolution of less than 1 micron. This innovative printer uses capillary forces to precisely place inks of various viscosities onto substrates, making it suitable for creating advanced biomedical devices like immunoassays and microfluidics. The printer's operation is similar to atomic force microscopy, allowing it to function as both a deposition and imaging tool. Early tests at Duke University have already shown promising results in enhancing biomarker detection and creating electronic biosensing transistors.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Patients with conditions requiring advanced biomarker detection or monitoring may benefit from this research.

Not a fit: Patients with conditions that do not involve biomarker detection or those not requiring advanced diagnostic tools may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to the development of more effective and sensitive biomedical devices that improve disease detection and monitoring.

How similar studies have performed: Similar approaches in high-precision printing for biomedical applications have shown success, indicating a promising avenue for further advancements.

Where this research is happening

Durham, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-09 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.