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Here, a brief history of the development of the ballpoint/rollerball pen and the fountain pen is presented. Their principle of operation is analogous that of multipart microfluidics-type devices, where capillarity–gravity drives the ink, a complex fluid, to flow in the confinement of a micrometer-sized canal or to lubricate a ball rotating in a socket. The differences in the operational writing principles of the fountain pen versus the ballpoint/rollerball pen are discussed. The ballpoint/rollerball pen's manner of writing was monitored using lens end fiber optics and was digitally recorded. The ball rotation rate per unit length was monitored using a piezoelectric disk oscilloscope technique. The role of ink (a complex fluid) chemistry in the wetting phenomenon is elucidated. We also discuss methods for studying and evaluating ink–film–ball–paper surface wetting. The goal of the proposed research is to optimize and improve the writing performance of the ballpoint/rollerball pen. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article investigates the gendering of the fountain pen as a product category mainly used in the office environment. It draws on hobbyists' accounts and evaluations of fountain pen use from online forums. The accounts suggest that hobbyists perceive the fountain pen market to take executive men as its authentic user group, whereas pens that target women often reflect stereotypical femininities. At the office, this gendering process impacts users' everyday experiences especially with reference to the managerial norms that govern the use of suits and accessories, since the fountain pen is considered by its users as part of an array of men's status objects. The article contributes to the literature on the gendering of artifacts by describing a hegemonic manner in which artifacts are gendered, that is, as a range of products that target diverse masculinities and femininities in contradistinction to a single, masculine product type. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An important way to determine the authenticity and validity of documents is by the sequence of lines. Many factors have been found to determine line order by observing the heterogeneous morphological characteristics of crossing points. However, to date, few methods have been applied to the sequence of laser printing and fountain pen writing without a crossing line. The sequence is more difficult to examine if there is no intersecting line. In this study, a series of experiments were conducted to survey the microscopic shape of ink lines, toner particles and paper fibres using a video tomography microscope. Several factors, such as the types of ink and laser printer, the difference of writer and the class of fountain pen, were analysed to determine whether they might affect the formation of characteristics. The final experimental result demonstrates that there are many differences among the samples made by different sequences. These factors have only a slight effect on the examination. After blind testing, it was found that the methodology can be applied to determine the sequence of laser printing and fountain pen writing. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

This article, and the song/video rendering which accompanies it, is an example of a/r/tographic inquiry in prose, lyric, music, video montage, taped performance, photo, and image. Using these means, the author explores multiple complex issues that emerged while coping with the dementia and subsequent passing of his mother, philosopher and professor Dr. Mildred Bakan. The use of digital media expands notions of research to include the 'doing-ness' of music and image making along with storied/scholarly prose. The stories, writing, and video together reveal personal, scholarly, and musical inheritances and cast light on issues of grief, remembrance, and writing. A discussion of the musical and artistic elements of the digital artistic rendering of the song "The Fountain Pen" exegetically and hermeneutically reveals threads of meaning within and emerging from this artwork. This artistically interpretive and academic weave not only provides a viewpoint into issues of coping with a parent's illness but also is a reflection on the role of artist/researcher/teacher and the nature of using lyrical musical knowing to expand creative research methodology into the realm of songwriting and video storytelling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] Water based conductive carbon nanotube ink is synthesized. [•] Direct writing on paper is demonstrated with off-the-shelf nib of fountain pen. [•] Dual sided and multilayered paper circuit boards are demonstrated with the pen. [•] Excellent robustness against bending, folding, crumpling are confirmed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Introduction of the digital techniques in document examination has encouraged the Forensic Document Examiners to work with better accuracy in non-destructive ways. In this study, the examination of sequence of intersecting strokes of printers (inkjet printer, laser printer, dot-matrix printer) and typewriters with writing instruments (gel ink pen, ballpoint pen and fountain pen) of different colors was carried out by using Docucenter Expert via PIA-6000 software utilizing extended depth of focus. The continuity of the stroke is the only characteristic which has been observed at the point of intersection. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The fabrication of photomask by fountain-pen nanolithography (FPN) with silver nanoparticles ink is studied. The FPN, a kind of pen-type nanolithography technique, enables on-demand patterning of micro-meter size at large area. Firstly preparation of silver nanoparticles ink and patterning condition by FPN were investigated. Then the photomask was fabricated by the FPN with the prepared ink. And photolithography process with the photomask was tried. The result indicates that the pattern made by the FPN behaved as a photomask. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Surface analysis by ToF-SIMS analysis of ballpoint pen ink markings was performed for discrimination. ToF-SIMS provided non-destructive analysis of ink''s organic and inorganic components directly off paper with no interference from the paper substrate. Organic and inorganic information were collected simultaneously and processed with PCA, discriminating 41 out of 45 pairs (91%) of pens analysed. Minimal sample preparation and analysis time, the simultaneous acquisition of organics and metals, and ability to analyse trace amounts gives this technique advantages over others currently utilised in the forensic field. Simultaneous acquisition of organics and inorganics has not been presented before for the characterisation of these materials. It was indicated that pens from the same manufacturer, but discrete batches, can be significantly different. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Intersections of inkjet strokes of different color (black, red, green and blue) with ballpoint ink or gel pen ink or fountain pen ink strokes each of different color (black, red, green and blue) were examined under stereomicroscope and digital microscope. The exemplars (25,920 intersections) were prepared on three types of paper at three time intervals. Stereomicroscope proves very successful in determining the sequence of ballpoint ink or gel pen ink of different color and inkjet stroke of black color only. It also helps in determining the sequence of intersections of fountain ink strokes (all color) and inkjet strokes (all color) with highest success rate (100% correctness). The digital microscope is not useful in determining the order of inkjet strokes and ballpoint ink or gel pen ink. These observations show that for the correct order of sequence, intersections magnification as well as good angle of illumination is required. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) droplets were printed using a pipet or a nano fountain pen on surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS)-active surfaces, to directly monitor the uptake and release of a template molecule, the β-blocking drug propranolol, by SEES. The monitored SEES bands can be related to the template, allowing for its detection but also identification in the MIP. This is an advantage if the technique is to be used during the development phase of MIPs as microstructures, but equally for the readout of MIP-based biochips. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We demonstrate patterning of micrometer-size dot array consisting of silane coupling molecules by using fountain-pen nanolithography (FPN). 3-Aminopropyltriethoxy silane (APS)-ink dot array pattern was drawn. A function by the end group in the molecule was confirmed by FITC fluorescence dyeing. Wide area patterning of 2-(4-Pyridylethil)triethoxy silane (PySi)-ink was done in the same manner. The dot array consisted of 50 × 50 dots and deployed at 1500 µm × 1500 µm area on the substrate. Although some defects were existed, most dots diameter was less than 10 µm. Our results indicate possibility that the FPN technique is able to fabricate micro-devices composed functional pattern surface by silane coupling molecules, such as bio-tip, sensor and more. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We have used fountain pen microlithography to deposit arrays of molecularly imprinted polymer microdots on flat substrates. We visualize analyte binding to the dots by fluorescence microscopy with the aid of fluorescein as a model analyte. Elution and readsorption of the analyte to the MIP dots were possible if the porosity of the dots was improved by a sacrificial polymeric porogen. The imprinting effect was confirmed by using compounds structurally related to fluorescein. In addition, we show with another MIP specific to 2,4-D that, apart from the direct measurement of the binding of fluorescent compounds, a competitive immunoassay-type format can also be used to transduce the binding. We believe that this technique has a strong potential for the fabrication of biomimetic microchips and other types of integrated biosensors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reports on the use of photolithographic microfabrication techniques to create very small stainless steel fountain pens that are installed in place of conventional pens on a microarray spotter. Size of the arrays that can be printed using the technique; Advantages of the techniques over other deposition methods.