A new printer that can create tiny biomedical devices with high precision
Official title: Hummink NAZCA High-Precision Capillary Flow Printer
Funded at Duke University · NIH-11101674 · Data updated 2026-11-12
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 type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Duke University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Durham, United States) |
| Project start | May 1, 2025 |
| Project end | April 30, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $354,290 |
| NIH project number | 1S10OD038357-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11101674 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients with conditions requiring advanced biomarker detection or monitoring may benefit from this research.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with conditions that do not involve biomarker detection or those not requiring advanced diagnostic tools may not benefit from this research.
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.
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 gone: Similar approaches in high-precision printing for biomedical applications have shown success, indicating a promising avenue for further advancements.
Where this research is happening
-
Duke University
Durham, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Franklin, Aaron — Duke University
- Study coordinator: Franklin, Aaron
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.