Non-contact micro dispensing technologies for science and industry

Non-contact micro dispensing technologies have turned out to be ubiquitous tools in various industries and applications over the past decades. The well-known ink-jet printing technology – to give a prominent example – has paved the way to digital printing and still plays an important role in industrial fabrication together with micro-dispensing valves used in a large variety of applications. Though, both of these technologies are widespread and mature, it is often disregarded that they cannot enable all applications currently sought after in science and industry. Certain applications in the life sciences, and increasingly also in industry, require dedicated non-contact dispensing technologies with specifications significantly different from ink-jet and valve technology. This article discusses the most important requirements that guide the development and application of novel non-contact dispensing technologies such as massive parallel dispensing, disposable dispensing components and high temperature dispensing devices. Selected technologies developed in the past to address such needs are reviewed.