Abstract: A carrier (31) for a thin glass sheet (7) is disclosed. The carrier includes an elastomer (9) which has first (15) and second (17) opposed surfaces and a support (11) bonded to the first surface (15) of the elastomer (9). During use, the thin glass sheet (7) directly contacts and is releasably bonded to the elastomer's second surface (17). In order to provide a strong, yet releasable bond to the thin glass sheet (7), the elastomer's second surface (17) has a Shore A hardness in the range of 10-90 and a roughness less than or equal to 185 nanometers. In this way, the carrier/glass sheet assembly (13) is able to withstand the conditions encountered during manufacture of electronic components on the exposed surface (23) of the thin glass sheet (7).

Abstract: A carrier (31) for a thin glass sheet (7) is disclosed. The carrier includes an elastomer (9) which has first (15) and second (17) opposed surfaces and a support (11) bonded to the first surface (15) of the elastomer (9). During use, the thin glass sheet (7) directly contacts and is releasably bonded to the elastomer's second surface (17). In order to provide a strong, yet releasable bond to the thin glass sheet (7), the elastomer's second surface (17) has a Shore A hardness in the range of 10-90 and a roughness less than or equal to 185 nanometers. In this way, the carrier/glass sheet assembly (13) is able to withstand the conditions encountered during manufacture of electronic components on the exposed surface (23) of the thin glass sheet (7).

Abstract: The invention relates to G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) microarrays on porous substrates for structural or functional analyses of GPCRs, and methods of preparing porous substrate surfaces for receiving membranes that comprise GPCRs. In one embodiment, a GPCR microarray of the invention comprises a membrane adhered to an upper surface of a porous substrate, the membrane spanning across a plurality of pores on the porous substrate to form a plurality of cavities having sufficient geometry to permit entry of assay reagents into each cavity, thereby allowing access of assay reagents to both sides of GPCR in the membrane.

Abstract: The invention relates to G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) microarrays on porous substrates for structural or functional analyses of GPCRs, and methods of preparing porous substrate surfaces for receiving membranes that comprise GPCRs. In one embodiment, a GPCR microarray of the invention comprises a membrane adhered to an upper surface of a porous substrate, the membrane spanning across a plurality of pores on the porous substrate to form a plurality of cavities having sufficient geometry to permit entry of assay reagents into each cavity, thereby allowing access of assay reagents to both sides of GPCR in the membrane.

Abstract: The invention relates to G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) microarrays on porous substrates for structural or functional analyses of GPCRs, and methods of preparing porous substrate surfaces for receiving membranes that comprise GPCRs. In one embodiment, a GPCR microarray of the invention comprises a membrane adhered to an upper surface of a porous substrate, the membrane spanning across a plurality of pores on the porous substrate to form a plurality of cavities having sufficient geometry to permit entry of assay reagents into each cavity, thereby allowing access of assay reagents to both sides of GPCR in the membrane.

Abstract: Described herein are thermo-responsive blends. Also described herein are articles, substrates, and kits composed of thermo-responsive blends for immobilizing cells or tissue and methods of use thereof.

Abstract: A device and methods for either protecting or restoring the delicate surface chemistry of amine-coated substrates adapted for biological assay uses from the deleterious effects of exposure to carbon dioxide and/or organic chemical compounds, which may arise in packaging or storage containers is provided. The device encompasses an enclosure, preferably hermetically sealed, a component susceptible to degradation from either carbon dioxide or organic compounds, and a sorbent, having a composition made from either a single material or a combination of materials, said material is characterized as being reactive with CO2 and having a high-surface energy of ?100 milli-joules/m2 for removing organic compounds. The method can stabilize the surface chemistry and prolong the useful life of the coated substrate.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for forming convex and concave elements on the ends of supporting members. A convex element may be formed by forming a droplet on the end of the supporting member, then curing the droplet. The size of the droplet may be controlled using evaporation of a solvent from the droplet. In another aspect of the invention, an optical element may be formed by forming a droplet on the end of the supporting member, contacting the droplet with a mold, and curing the droplet, thereby forming an element with a curvature opposite that of the mold. When the supporting member is an optical fiber, the elements formed by the methods of the present invention are useful as lenses and mirrors in micro-optic devices.

Abstract: The invention relates to glass-ceramic plates, hotplates incorporating them and their fabrication process. The glass-ceramic plate of the invention is of the type having a bottom substrate layer and a top coating layer and is characterized in that the top coating layer covers at least the external top surface of the bottom glass-ceramic layer and is a layer of a hard substrate material chosen from the group constituted by silicon carbide, silicon oxycarbide, silicon nitride, silicon oxynitride and hydrogenated amorphous carbons. The invention finds an application in the fabrication of coated glass-ceramic plates and in particular in the fabrication of glass-ceramic hotplates.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for depositing a high density biological or chemical array onto a solid support. Specifically, the apparatus is made up of a plurality of open ended channels collectively forming a matrix. The matrix has been redrawn and cut such that the pitch of the channels on the loading end is larger than the pitch of the channels on the liquid delivery end. The upper portion of each channel serves as a reservoir, while the opposing end, which has been formed by the redrawing process, is diametrically sized such that liquid in the reservoir is retained by capillary pressure at the delivery end. At any point along the height of the capillary reservoir device, all cross-sectional dimensions and areas are uniformly reduced. In other words, the on-center orientation of any two channels, also referred to as the pitch between 2 channels, measured as a function of the diameter of any cross section, is constant throughout the structure.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for depositing a high density biological or chemical array onto a solid support. Specifically, the apparatus is made up of a plurality of open ended channels collectively forming a matrix. The matrix has been redrawn and cut such that the pitch of the channels on the loading end is larger than the pitch of the channels on the liquid delivery end. The upper portion of each channel serves as a reservoir, while the opposing end, which has been formed by the redrawing process, is diametrically sized such that liquid in the reservoir is retained by capillary pressure at the delivery end. At any point along the height of the capillary reservoir device, all cross-sectional dimensions and areas are uniformly reduced. In other words, the on-center orientation of any two channels, also referred to as the pitch between 2 channels, measured as a function of the diameter of any cross section, is constant throughout the structure.

Abstract: A method for forming a pattern in a film carried on a substrate includes depositing a layer of alkyl silane on a surface of a mold having a pattern, bringing the mold in contact with the film on the substrate and pressing the mold into the film so as to emboss the pattern on the mold in the film, wherein the film comprises a thermoplastic polymer, and removing the mold from the film.

Abstract: The invention relates to glass-ceramic plates, hotplates incorporating them and their fabrication process. The glass-ceramic plate of the invention is of the type having a bottom substrate layer and a top coating layer and is characterized in that the top coating layer covers at least the external top surface of the bottom glass-ceramic layer and is a layer of a hard substrate material chosen from the group constituted by silicon carbide, silicon oxycarbide, silicon nitride, silicon oxynitride and hydrogenated amorphous carbons. The invention finds an application in the fabrication of coated glass-ceramic plates and in particular in the fabrication of glass-ceramic hotplates.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for forming convex and concave elements on the ends of supporting members. A convex element may be formed by forming a droplet on the end of the supporting member, then curing the droplet. The size of the droplet may be controlled using evaporation of a solvent from the droplet. In another aspect of the invention, an optical element may be formed by forming a droplet on the end of the supporting member, contacting the droplet with a mold, and curing the droplet, thereby forming an element with a curvature opposite that of the mold. When the supporting member is an optical fiber, the elements formed by the methods of the present invention are useful as lenses and mirrors in micro-optic devices.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for depositing a high density biological or chemical array onto a solid support. Specifically, the apparatus is made up of a plurality of open ended channels collectively forming a matrix. The matrix has been redrawn and cut such that the pitch of the channels on the loading end is larger than the pitch of the channels on the liquid delivery end. The upper portion of each channel serves as a reservoir, while the opposing end, which has been formed by the redrawing process, is diametrically sized such that liquid in the reservoir is retained by capillary pressure at the delivery end. At any point along the height of the capillary reservoir device, all cross-sectional dimensions and areas are uniformly reduced. In other words, the on-center orientation of any two channels, also referred to as the pitch between 2 channels, measured as a function of the diameter of any cross section, is constant throughout the structure.

Abstract: A releasing agent for embossing a thin film carried on a surface of a substrate with a mold having a high pattern density includes an alkyl silane.

Abstract: A substrate for use in supporting high density biological or chemical arrays that is made from borosilicate or boroaluminosilicate glass. It has been demonstrated that a functionalized coating used to immobilize oligonucleotides for example, retains its functionality when exposed to environmental stresses when it is applied to a slide composed of a glass material having a low sodium oxide content.

Abstract: Methods for temporarily protecting a surface of a glass article by coating the surface are provided. The methods include forming a stable, hydrophobic, removable film on the surface at the end of the glass manufacturing process while the glass is still at an elevated temperature (e.g., above 175° C.). The film reduces chip adhesion to the surface as a result of cutting and grinding. After cutting and grinding, the film is removed allowing the glass to be used in such processes as the manufacture of liquid crystal displays (LCDs).

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for depositing a high density biological or chemical array onto a solid support. Specifically, the apparatus is made up of a plurality of open ended channels collectively forming a matrix. The matrix has been redrawn and cut such that the pitch of the channels on the loading end is larger than the pitch of the channels on the liquid delivery end. The upper portion of each channel serves as a reservoir, while the opposing end, which has been formed by the redrawing process, is diametrically sized such that liquid in the reservoir is retained by capillary pressure at the delivery end. At any point along the height of the capillary reservoir device, all cross-sectional dimensions and areas are uniformly reduced. In other words, the on-center orientation of any two channels, also referred to as the pitch between 2 channels, measured as a function of the diameter of any cross section, is constant throughout the structure.

Abstract: The invention relates to a thin layer of UV absorbing material, and a method of making such material by grinding UV absorbing glass into fine powder which can be suspended in a liquid matrix, for example, in index matching oil, thereby producing a transparent liquid which can be used to coat any material to impart UV absorption to such material.