In 1994, a new type of atom probe instrument, named the scanning atom probe (SAP), was proposed. The unique feature of the SAP is the introduction of a small extraction electrode, which scans over a specimen surface and confines the high field, required for field evaporation of surface atoms in a small space, between the specimen and the electrode. Thus, the SAP does not require a sharp specimen tip. This indicates that the SAP can mass analyze the specimens which are difficult to form in a sharp tip, such as organic materials and biomolecules. Clean single wall carbon nanotubes (CNT), made by high-pressure carbon monoxide process are found to be the best substrates for biomolecules. Various amino acids and dipeptide biomolecules were successfully mass analyzed, revealing characteristic clusters formed by strongly bound atoms in the specimens. The mass analysis indicates that SAP analysis of biomolecules is not only qualitative, but also quantitative.

Applying life sciences and engineering principles to the study of cells and engineered tissue has resulted in various successes. These endeavors are poised towards development of functional neo-organs used as native tissue substitutes. Concurrent with this goal, research arenas are directed in the general areas of biocompatible polymer scaffolds, biomimmetic extracellular matrices, control of stem cell differentiation, biomolecule signaling, and directed material delivery. Optomec Inc. is developing an aerosol-based direct-write process for deposition of biological materials into three dimensional, micron-scale patterns. The process uses pneumatic atomization to produce aerosol droplets of proteinacious colloidal dispersions and whole cell suspensions. The droplets are entrained in an air stream and deposited with a proprietary deposition tool. The biological materials can be seeded into three dimensional polymer scaffolds and various substrate surfaces. Optomec's direct write process has applicability to the additive fabrication of engineered tissue. Other applications of the direct write tool include rapid prototyping of analytical biosensors, hybrid BioMEMS, and bio-chip microarray devices.