Abstract: A process for producing a polymer strand involves: inserting a nucleation element into a pre-strand composition, the pre-strand composition comprising a polymer mixed with a solvent, the polymer having a concentration in the pre-strand composition that is greater than or equal to an overlap concentration (c*) of the polymer in the pre-strand composition; and, withdrawing the nucleation element from the pre-strand composition so that a strand comprising the polymer is pulled by the nucleation element from the pre-strand composition, the nucleation element being withdrawn at a rate such that a pull time (?pull) of the nucleation element is less than reptation time (?rep) required to relax polymer entanglements in the pre-strand composition, thereby inducing a viscoelastic response in the pre-strand composition as the strand is pulled by the nucleation element from the pre-strand composition.

Abstract: An imaging device includes light sensitive locations that are separately sensitive to light received at a surface with respect to a portion of a sample associated with the surface, the light sensitive locations having a resolution of 5 microns or smaller. There is a device to associate the portion of the sample with the surface. The imaging device and a distance of the portion of the sample to the light sensitive locations are such that usable useful image of the portion of the sample can be acquired directly by operation of the imaging device. An imaging device includes light sensitive sources that are separately able to deliver light with respect to a portion of a sample associated with the surface. The light source locations having a resolution of 5 microns or smaller. There is a device to associate the portion of the sample with the surface.