Abstract: The present invention relates generally to the use of droplets to culture and/or assay cells or other species. In some cases, the cells or other species may be sorted based upon the results of the culture and/or assay. In some embodiments, cells other species can be encapsulated in droplets and exposed to one or more agents (e.g., a sugar, an indicator dye, etc.). For instance, in some cases, exposure of cells to the agents may result in the production of metabolites or other compounds (e.g., amino acids, proteins, organic acids, etc.) which may be, for example, assayed or otherwise determined. In some embodiments, the reaction of an agent with cells and/or other species within a droplet may reveal a property of the cells or other species (e.g., sugar consumption, growth rate, ability to withstand exposure to the agent, etc.). As an example, cells that produce desired metabolites or exhibit certain properties may be separated from the other cells via sorting techniques.

Abstract: Method of plating using a polymeric barrier layer including a polyphenolic polymer which has a repeating unit of the formula: wherein R1, R2, R3, R4, and R5 are individually hydrogen, a hydroxy group or an azo dye.

Abstract: An article is formed as a substrate having a projection extending outwardly therefrom. The article may be a magnetic recording head and the projection a write pole. The projection has a width in a thinnest dimension measured parallel to a substrate surface of no more than about 0.3 micrometers and a height measured perpendicular to the substrate of not less than about 5 times the width. The article is fabricated by forming an overlying structure on the substrate with an edge thereon, depositing a replication layer lying on the edge, depositing a filler onto the edge and the substrate, so that the filler, the replication layer, and the overlying structure in combination comprise a continuous layer on the substrate, selectively removing at least a portion of the replication layer from a free surface of the continuous layer inwardly toward the substrate, to form a defined cavity, and depositing a projection material into the defined cavity to form the projection.

Abstract: An article is formed as a substrate having a projection extending outwardly therefrom. The article may be a magnetic recording head and the projection a write pole. The projection has a width in a thinnest dimension measured parallel to a substrate surface of no more than about 0.3 micrometers and a height measured perpendicular to the substrate of not less than about 5 times the width. The article is fabricated by forming an overlying structure on the substrate with an edge thereon, depositing a replication layer lying on the edge, depositing a filler onto the edge and the substrate, so that the filler, the replication layer, and the overlying structure in combination comprise a continuous layer on the substrate, selectively removing at least a portion of the replication layer from a free surface of the continuous layer inwardly toward the substrate, to form a defined cavity, and depositing a projection material into the defined cavity to form the projection.

Abstract: An onboard electronic lapping guide for lapping a magneto-resistive head having a magneto-resistive sensor element disposed for electrical communication with a pair of sensor electrical leads. The lapping guide includes an electronic lapping guide resistive element disposed for electrical communication with the sensor electrical leads. The resistive element has a predetermined height in a lapping direction and is adapted to produce an electrical resistance in the presence of a lapping current that increases as said resistive element height is reduced during lapping. A lapping method and a method of forming the onboard electronic lapping guide are also disclosed.

Abstract: An onboard electronic lapping guide for lapping a magneto-resistive head having a magneto-resistive sensor element disposed for electrical communication with a pair of sensor electrical leads. The lapping guide includes an electronic lapping guide resistive element disposed for electrical communication with the sensor electrical leads. The resistive element has a predetermined height in a lapping direction and is adapted to produce an electrical resistance in the presence of a lapping current that increases as said resistive element height is reduced during lapping. A lapping method and a method of forming the onboard electronic lapping guide are also disclosed.

Abstract: An article is formed as a substrate having a projection extending outwardly therefrom. The article may be a magnetic recording head and the projection a write pole. The projection has a width in a thinnest dimension measured parallel to a substrate surface of no more than about 0.3 micrometers and a height measured perpendicular to the substrate of not less than about 5 times the width. The article is fabricated by forming an overlying structure on the substrate with an edge thereon, depositing a replication layer lying on the edge, depositing a filler onto the edge and the substrate, so that the filler, the replication layer, and the overlying structure in combination comprise a continuous layer on the substrate, selectively removing at least a portion of the replication layer from a free surface of the continuous layer inwardly toward the substrate, to form a defined cavity, and depositing a projection material into the defined cavity to form the projection.