The basic process idea is to exploit efficient electrohydrodynmaic transport at the micro- and nano-scale. In addition, the process of driving liquid out of an orifice with a directed electrical field produces a focusing that allows for the writing of high resolution structures.

Electrohyrodynamic or e-jet writing can be performed in a number of different regimes. Work in the center has concentrated primarily on the pre-jet or pulsating mode as opposed to the stable jet mode, so that a drop-on-demand type writing or printing system can be developed. This involves synchronizing the discharge by the e-jet with a nanopositioning stage. The figure below schematically describes the process.