Abstract: Some embodiments of the present invention provide an apparatus and method in which material is deposited upon a surface from an elongated beam having an aperture defined therein through which the material is moved by passive adsorption. The elongated beam can be substantially planar along substantially its entire length, can be oriented at an acute angle with respect to the surface during deposition processes, and can have a length no greater than about 2 mm. In some embodiments, the aperture can be elongated, can extend from a material reservoir to a location short of the terminal end of the elongated beam or through the terminal end of the elongated beam, and can have a portion extending through the thickness of the elongated beam.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the disclosed surface patterning systems and methods utilize a surface patterning tool coupled to a support and adapted to deposit material onto a substrate, a controller, and first, second, and third actuators electrically coupled to and controlled by the controller. In some embodiments, the first, second, and third actuators are operable to move the substrate in X, Y, and Z directions, respectively, with respect to the surface patterning tool, wherein the substrate is movable by the first, second, and third actuators to different positions with respect to the surface patterning tool, and wherein material is transferable from the surface patterning tool to the substrate in each of the different positions to define the desired surface pattern. One or more of the actuators in some of the disclosed embodiments are piezoelectric actuators.

Abstract: The present invention includes a method and apparatus for the detection of a target material. The method and apparatus includes providing a substrate with a surface and forming a domains of deposited materials thereon. The deposited material can be placed on the surface and bound directly and non-specifically to the surface, or it may be specifically or non-specifically bound to the surface. The deposited material has an affinity for a specific target material. The domains thus created are termed affinity domains or deposition domains. Multiple affinity domains of deposited materials can be deposited on a single surface, creating a plurality of specific binding affinity domains for a plurality of target materials. Target materials may include, for example, pathogens or pathogenic markers such as viruses, bacteria, bacterial spores, parasites, prions, fungi, mold or pollen spores.

Abstract: The present invention includes a method and apparatus for the detection of a target material. The method and apparatus includes providing a substrate with a surface and forming a domains of deposited materials thereon. The deposited material can be placed on the surface and bound directly and non-specifically to the surface, or it may be specifically or non-specifically bound to the surface. The deposited material has an affinity for a specific target material. The domains thus created are termed affinity domains or deposition domains. Multiple affinity domains of deposited materials can be deposited on a single surface, creating a plurality of specific binding affinity domains for a plurality of target materials. Target materials may include, for example, pathogens or pathogenic markers such as viruses, bacteria, bacterial spores, parasites, prions, fungi, mold or pollen spores.

Abstract: A height referencing biochemical cassette comprising of a surface suitable to act as a coupling agent, a height referencing indicator, and molecules bonded to the surface. This cassette is a capable of use to test for bonding to these molecules through measuring the height difference between the indicator and the surface. This invention provides an efficient means to quickly and easily test for bonding of molecules to other molecules.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of analyzing for a specific material in a sample using a sensor including a resonating member having resonating properties. The resonating member has a probe and a known material is disposed on or forms the probe. The method includes the steps of positioning the sensor proximate to the sample, detecting a force dependent change in the resonance properties of the sensor, and confirming the presence of the specific material based on the identity of the known material and the detection of a resonance change.