Abstract: A roll to roll, thin film manufacturing process/apparatus overcoming the shortcomings of current roll to roll processing; The roll to roll enabled cartridge is loaded with a bolt of flexible substrate. A skate couples with a cartridge, forms a seal with the cartridge's bottom aperture and drives the cartridge along a rail to an array of deposition heads. System control commands a head to mate with the cartridge top forming a seal about the variable area deposition aperture. The mating of the skate, cartridge and head form a pressure vessel wherein a film forming environment may be maintained. As the substrate advances through the deposition zone a layer is formed, bolt end to bolt end. Device growth continues from one head to another, as grown device encapsulation seal inclusive, aperture environmental seals applied, labeled cartridge is routed to dock, skate returns to process start.

Abstract: A method for the detection of minority genomes in virus quasispecies using DNA microchips. The method makes it possible to detect minority genomes, more particularly minority memory genomes, in a nucleic acids population of a virus quasispecie, which are present in a population of less than 50%, containing at least one mutation relative to the majority genomes of the quasispecie. The method involves the following steps: a) extracting the nucleic acid of the virus quasispecie form a sample susceptible of containing the virus quasispecie; b) amplifying at least one fragment of the nucleic acid of the virus quasispecie, and c) detecting and analyzing the existence of minority genomes using DNA microchip-base techniques. The method can be used in genetic diagnosis of viral diseases.

Abstract: Switching system for use with a radio transmitter or the like to adapt the same for operation at two different power levels, including a flexible circuit connected to stages of the transmitter and to a switch to control the power level of the signal transmitted. The flexible circuit is very thin so that it can be positioned within the radio housing on the circuit board, and connected to terminals on the board and on the switch. The flexible circuit includes transmission line sections for making matched impedance connections to the transmitter stages for low power loss. The flexible circuit adjusts to take care of tolerances in the position of the terminals to which it is connected.