Abstract: The present invention refers to an optical elements holder device (11) for a coating station (5) comprising at least one sheet carrier (21) having individual openings (23), said opening (23) having in its inner face at least one shoulder (25) configured to hold an optical element (3) such as lenses during a coating procedure, said sheet carrier (21) presenting the shape of a dome or a part of a dome which is mounted above a vaporization source (9) so that the optical elements (3) are oriented towards said vaporization source (9), wherein it also comprises at least one adapter ring (31b) comprising an outer portion (33) configured to be supported by the at least one shoulder (25) of the opening (23) of the sheet carrier (21).

Abstract: A holder (10) for holding a substrate (L) during vacuum coating comprises a base body (12) with a masking portion (14) provided with an opening (16) adapted to receive the substrate. The opening in the masking portion is shaped to correspond to or closely match the shape of the substrate to be held without substantial gaps therebetween. The masking portion is provided with a slot (22) that extends radially outward from an inner edge (18) of the opening. A narrow spring arm of a spring arrangement mounted to the holder is received in the slot and adapted to resiliently bear against an outer edge (E) of the substrate to urge the substrate toward a support area (24) at the inner edge of the opening on a side opposite said slot. Further, a loading/unloading device (60) for loading the substrate into such holder and for unloading it therefrom is proposed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to supports for bioassays and the use thereof in cell culturing and in cell-based methods and assays. More precisely, the invention provides solid materials coated with films of nanostructured titanium dioxide suitable for the immobilisation of viruses and for cell-adhesion. The nanostructured TiO2 film-coated support of the invention is particularly useful for the preparation of microarrays for genetic and phenotypic analysis.

Abstract: The present invention relates to supports for bioassays and the use thereof in cell culturing and in cell-based methods and assays. More precisely, the invention provides solid materials coated with films of nanostructured titanium dioxide suitable for the immobilisation of viruses and for cell-adhesion. The nanostructured TiO<SUB>2</SUB> film-coated support of the invention is particularly useful for the preparation of microarrays for genetic and phenotypic analysis.