Abstract: A fluid delivery system including a first substrate having a micro-channel and a well both formed through the first substrate. The fluid delivery system also includes a second substrate and a delivery channel. The second substrate is on the first substrate and the delivery channel is formed between the first and second substrates. The delivery channel provides fluid communication between the micro-channel and the well.

Abstract: A microparticle contains a cross-linked protein shell, and a surface coating.

Abstract: A polymer comprises at least two types of monomer units selected from: (1) diethynyl benzene units, (2) triethynyl benzene units, and (3) ester units. After curing, the polymer may form a condensed polyaromatic dielectric having a dielectric constant of at most 2.0 at 1 MHz, an elastic modulus of at least 7.7 GPa, and a hardness of at least 2.0 GPa.

Abstract: A method for transporting a gas to an electrode in a fuel cell is provided, whereby the gas is dissolved in an emulsion comprising a fluorinated hydrocarbon, a surfactant and an aqueous electrolyte with a pH of at most 4 or at least 9, and the emulsion is contacted with the electrode.

Abstract: A semiconductor structure including a semiconductor substrate, an isolation trench in the semiconductor substrate, and an alignment trench in the semiconductor substrate is disclosed. The structure also includes a dielectric layer and a metallic layer. The dielectric layer is on the semiconductor substrate and in both the isolation trench and the alignment trench. The dielectric layer fills the isolation trench and does not fill the alignment trench. The metallic layer is on the dielectric layer.

Abstract: A method of detecting the presence of an ion includes contacting a nucleic acid enzyme with a sample suspected of containing the ion, where the enzyme contains a ribonucleotide and is dependent on the ion to produce a product from a substrate, and measuring an amount of the product produced. The ion is Pb2+, and is in the presence of other ions.

Abstract: A method of forming a semiconductor structure comprises oxidizing a stack, to form sidewall oxide in contact with sides of the stack. The stack is on a semiconductor substrate, the stack includes a gate layer, comprising silicon; a metallic layer, on the gate layer; and an etch-stop layer, on the metallic layer. The sidewall oxide in contact with the metallic layer is thinner than the sidewall oxide in contact with the gate layer.

Abstract: A method of forming a semiconductor structure includes forming an isolation region in a semiconductor substrate. A first oxide layer is on the substrate, a first sacrificial layer is on the first oxide layer, and a first nitride layer is on the first sacrificial layer. The first oxide layer may be a screen oxide layer, and the method provides consistency in the thickness of the screen oxide layer.

Abstract: An injectable composition for delivery of a bioactive agent contains a biocompatible solvent, a hydrophobic polymer, and an amphiphilic block copolymer. The hydrophobic polymer may be a biodegradable polymer, and the block copolymer may contain a segment of poly(ethylene oxide).

Abstract: The activity of intracellular chemical reactions of molecules is measured by the use of fluorescently labeled substrate molecules that undergo a change in electrophoretic mobility upon chemical reaction such as that catalyzed by an enzyme. Specificity is achieved by using labeled substrate molecules that can be acted upon only by specific enzymes. Thus the activity of a specific enzyme or class of enzymes can be determined. Measurements are made with the intracellular presence of such substrate molecules, at some time of interest, typically after exposure of the cell to a stimulus that activates a particular enzymatic pathway. To ensure accuracy, measurements must be made in a timely manner so as to minimize chemical reactions occurring subsequent to the time of interest. Fast controllable laser lysis is used to obtain the contents of a single cell into which reporter substrate molecules have been introduced.

Abstract: Novel tamoxifen inducible and ICI 182,780 repressible expression systems comprising mutant estrogen receptors and mutant estrogen response element are disclosed. Such systems have a wide variety of applications, including gene therapy and in vivo and in vitro expression, as well as their use in transgenic animals.

Abstract: A colloid comprises a sulfone polymer. The colloid may be used as a replacement for activated carbon or charcoal in water purification systems. Unlike activated carbon, the colloid is advantageously regenerated chemically and reused.

Abstract: A method of forming a semiconductor structure comprises forming sidewall oxide on a stack, by rapid thermal oxidation. The stack is on a substrate and comprises (i) a first layer comprising silicon, (ii) a second layer, comprising silicon and tungsten, on the first layer, and (iii) a capping layer, on the second layer. The sidewall oxide in contact with the second layer is at most 50% thicker than the sidewall oxide in contact with the first layer.

Abstract: A thromboplastin reagent includes tissue factor, Factor VIIa, and a net negatively charged phospholipid. The thromboplastin reagent is a synthetic thromboplastin reagent, and is in dried form.

Abstract: The invention provides polyelectrolyte inks comprising a solvent, a cationic polyelectrolyte, dissolved in the solvent, and an anionic polyelectrolyte, dissolved in the solvent. The concentration of at least one of the polyelectrolytes in the solvent is in a semidilute regime.

Abstract: A method of making a semiconductor structure includes etching an anti-reflective coating layer at a pressure of 10 millitorr or less; etching a nitride layer with a first nitride etch plasma having a first F:C ratio; and etching the nitride layer with a second nitride etch plasma having a second F:C ratio. The first F:C ratio is greater than the second F:C ratio.

Abstract: A method of increasing conductivity of an ink, comprises orienting particles in the ink. The ink comprises the particles and solvent, and the particles are conductive anisotropic particles.

Abstract: A method for fabricating scanning probe microscopy (SPM) probes is disclosed. The probes are fabricated by forming a structural layer on a substrate, wherein the substrate forms a cavity. A sacrificial layer is located between the substrate and the structural layer. Upon forming the structural layer, the sacrificial layer is selectively removed, and the probe is then released from the substrate. The substrate may then later be reused to form additional probes. Additionally, a contact printing method using a scanning probe microscopy probe is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of forming a semiconductor structure, comprises exposing a photoresist layer; followed by heating the photoresist layer to a first temperature for 30 seconds to 3 minutes; followed by heating the photoresist layer to a second temperature for 30 seconds to 3 minutes. The second temperature is 5–15° C. greater than the first temperature.

Abstract: Comb polymers are used as dispersants to increase the stability of colloidal suspensions containing multivalent or high concentrations of monovalent ions. Stabilized colloidal suspensions and methods of forming stabilized colloidal suspensions are described, including suspensions containing ceramic precursors or bioactive agents useful in forming ceramic substrates or pharmaceutical compositions, respectively.