Abstract: The present invention is directed to electrostatic chucks, methods for their use, the electrostatic deposition of objects, such as particles in a dry powder, onto recipient substrates, and the recipient substrates themselves that have been subjected to electrostatic deposition. In one aspect, the present invention provides an electrostatic chuck for electrostatically attracting an object or objects wherein the object is used in chemical or pharmaceutical assaying or manufacturing. The objects can be pharmaceutical substrates, for example, such as a pharmaceutical tablet. Additional embodiments of the invention provide chucks and their use to electrostatically attract particles, such as a pharmaceutically active ingredient, to a substrate, such as a tablet. In one aspect, the electrostatic chuck comprises a floating electrode, and is used to selectively attract particles to a substrate above the floating electrode, thereby providing for charge imaging for the deposition of particles in a selected image.

Abstract: Provided is a method of moving a charged particle from a first position at which it is retained by a first electrode to a second position at which it is retained by a second electrode, the method comprising: applying a potential to the second electrode to attract the particle; and applying a potential to a guide electrode offset from the particle at the first position, wherein the applied potential is effective to reduce the attraction of the particle to the first position sufficiently to allow the potential applied at the second electrode to be effective to move the particle from the first position to the second position.

Abstract: The present invention provides an integrated structural unit that includes a diagnostic form that includes at least one active ingredient that is present in an amount that advantageously does not vary by more than about five percent from a predetermined target amount. In one embodiment, the unit form comprises a substrate, a deposit that is disposed on the substrate, and a spreading layer that overlies the deposit and is used to retain and spread a sample of liquid which is to be assayed. The deposit comprises a powder, including the active ingredient(s). The diagnostic form is created via a dry powder deposition apparatus that electrostatically deposits the powder on the substrate utilizing an electrostatic chuck and charged powder delivery apparatus.

Abstract: Provided is a powder delivery system which uses mechanical or electrical means to individually release covers that cover powder at a variety of powder aliquot locations on a rigid substrate.

Abstract: AC waveforms biasing of bead transporter chucks and their accumulated charge sensing circuits tailored for low resistivity substrates and beads where if traditional DC quasi-static biasing potentials were used, the bead attraction potentials of the chuck would undergo rapid RC decay and cause the bead transporter chuck to stop working. Methods for selecting AC waveforms are given, including those that maximize the time average of the bead attraction potential at the bead collection zone of the bead contact surface.

Abstract: AC waveforms biasing of bead transporter chucks and their accumulated charge sensing circuits tailored for low resistivity substrates and beads where if traditional DC quasi-static biasing potentials were used, the bead attraction potentials of the chuck would undergo rapid RC decay and cause the bead transporter chuck to stop working. Methods for selecting AC waveforms are given, including those that maximize the time average of the bead attraction potential at the bead collection zone of the bead contact surface.

Abstract: A dry powder, for example, a medicament for an inhaler, comprises elongated particles with an aspect ratio sufficient to cause the particles to be bound to a preferably metal or non-metallic sheet material substrate at the particle tips by electrostatic deposition and for aligning a plurality of particles with their major axes aligned normal to the substrate and oriented tip-to-tip. Particles deposited form a low density, high relative void deposition to minimize attractive forces between the particles. This minimizes agglomeration and bonding forces to the substrate facilitating the release of a powdered medicament in an inhaler. Medicament dosages in a substrate pocket are covered by a sealing layer. An embodiment of a drug dosage inhaler substrate and inhaler is disclosed.

Abstract: Bead transporter chucks for selective pick up and discharging of polymer beads for chemical synthesis or analysis, whereby repulsive field conductors are arranged around bead electrodes used for selectively attracting and retaining beads. Problems of bead control are addressed by adding repulsive fields to help guide and direct beads to desired or designated bead collection zones. The repulsive electrodes create non-uniform electric fields that control, focus, and deflect charged beads in the vicinity of the bead collection zone, helping prevent multiple bead retention at intended bead collection zones. For better bead control, and allowing manipulation of beads with higher charge/mass ratios, dielectric material may be positioned around the bead electrode and between the bead electrode and the repulsive field conductor. Multiple bead electrodes may be provided to form two or more bead collection zones, and these may selectively addressed and controlled (e.

Abstract: Provided is, among other things, a dry deposition apparatus for depositing grains on a substrate comprising:an electrostatic chuck having one or more collection zones, wherein the substrate is layered on the chuck for processing;a charged grain delivery apparatus for directing charged grains for electrostatic deposition on the substrate at the locations of the collection zones; andan optical detection device for quantifying the amount of grains deposited.