Abstract: A substrate holder and method for using it to move a substrate. The holder comprises a frame having an inner periphery defining a first opening for receiving the substrate, and a shoulder projecting laterally inward from the inner periphery of the frame for supporting the substrate in the first frame opening. The shoulder has an inner periphery defining a second opening smaller than the first opening for receiving a substrate support. The holder and a substrate therein is moved to a position above the substrate support and then lowered to a position in which the shoulder of the holder is positioned below a top surface of the substrate support and the substrate is deposited on the top surface of the substrate support.

Abstract: A doctor blade assembly for use in combination with apparatus for forming a film on a substrate. The doctor blade assembly includes a doctor blade to be mounted on a programmable robot. The doctor blade has a bottom face and spacers at opposite ends of the body of the doctor blade extending a predetermined distance down below the bottom face of the body for contacting a substrate and spacing the bottom face from the substrate. The spacers are adjustable relative to the doctor blade for adjusting the predetermined distance according to the thickness of film to be formed on the substrate. Other aspects and methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: A substrate holder and method for using it to move a substrate. The holder comprises a frame having an inner periphery defining a first opening for receiving the substrate, and a shoulder projecting laterally inward from the inner periphery of the frame for supporting the substrate in the first frame opening. The shoulder has an inner periphery defining a second opening smaller than the first opening for receiving a substrate support. The holder and a substrate therein is moved to a position above the substrate support and then lowered to a position in which the shoulder of the holder is positioned below a top surface of the substrate support and the substrate is deposited on the top surface of the substrate support.

Abstract: A doctor blade assembly for use in combination with apparatus for forming a film on a substrate. The doctor blade assembly includes a doctor blade to be mounted on a programmable robot. The doctor blade has a bottom face and spacers at opposite ends of the body of the doctor blade extending a predetermined distance down below the bottom face of the body for contacting a substrate and spacing the bottom face from the substrate. The spacers are adjustable relative to the doctor blade for adjusting the predetermined distance according to the thickness of film to be formed on the substrate. Other aspects and methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: A system for mixing powdered materials includes a cannula and an actuator adapted to vibrate the cannula. An optional fluid delivery system is operable to add fluid to the powdered mixture through the cannula. The cannula can be extended into a powder bed and vibrated by the actuator to mix the powder bed. Fluid can be added to the powder bed through the cannula. The systems and methods are suitable for preparing relatively small quantities of candidate mixtures for high-throughput screening. Sample mixtures prepared by the mixing system can be pressed into tablets that are substantially devoid of foreign objects used to mix the samples. The sample mixtures can be subjected to one or more tests, such as an accelerated aging or forced degradation test, to assess one or more characteristics of the sample mixtures.