Abstract: Hydrophobic coating compositions are provided as are processes to coat articles with the compositions. Extremely hydrophobic coatings are provided by the compositions. Durable, weatherable and scratch-resistant coatings are provided by compositions comprising a trifluoromethyl-containing component and a hardenable material. Processes are also provided for forming hydrophobic coatings on articles without any substantial loss of fluorocarbon solvent used in the coating composition. Articles are coated on a surface thereof with a hydrophobic coating reactant or reaction product which forms a coating having an exposed surface populated with 30% by area or more terminal trifluoromethyl groups.

Abstract: Methods of detecting and quantifying genomic nucleic acid molecule sequences are provided using the simultaneous amplification of a plurality of discrete nanoliter-sized samples. A miniaturized closed assembly is also provided for carrying out amplification of a nucleic acid molecule by polymerase chain reaction in multiple nanoliter-sized samples. Methods of filling miniaturized sample chambers are also provided as are methods for determining the number of template molecules in a sample by conducting replicate nucleic acid sequence amplification reactions on a set of terminally diluted samples and counting the number of positive amplification reactions. The methods can be used to detect a single starting nucleic acid target molecule.

Abstract: A microbiological assembly is provided having a resealable seal between a support and a cover. The support has a surface which includes a patterned layer and defines at least one sample retention well. The cover has a surface which contacts a sealant and the sealant is disposed on at least one of the support and the cover. The sealant is adapted to releasably bond and resealably seal the cover to the support. The sealed assembly minimizes contamination and drying of liquid sample retained by the sample retention well. A method of examining a biological culture is also provided and includes the steps of retaining a biological sample within the sample retention well of the assembly, sealing the cover to the support with the sealant between the sealing surface and the support surface, physically separating the cover from the support surface, and then either resealing the cover or sealing a second cover to the support using the same sealant.

Abstract: A coating formulation for making a porous coating on a laboratory apparatus is provided. The formulation comprises 100 parts by weight hardenable resinous material, and from about 0.1 to about 50 parts by weight blowing agent based on the 100 parts by weight resinous material. The resinous material has a hardening time which is sufficiently short such that gas generated by the blowing agent is entrapped within the resinous material. The coating formulation is hardenable upon application to a surface of a laboratory apparatus to form a porous coating which is used for marking purposes or for the retention of biological samples. Methods of retaining a biological sample on a coated laboratory apparatus are also provided.

Abstract: Laboratory vessels are coated on an operational surface thereof with a hydrophobic coating polymer or reactive monomer to form a coating having an exposed surface populated with 30% by area or more terminal trifluoromethyl groups. Laboratory vessels coated with such coating solutions are provided having extremely low surface energies and high resistance to solvent attack. Methods of forming hydrophobic coatings on laboratory vessels are also provided and include methods of forming exposed coating surfaces having populations of from about 30% by area to 100% by area trifluoromethyl groups. The hydrophobic coatings may be prepared from solutions, suspensions or powdered materials containing a fluoroalkyl ethylenically unsaturated monomer substantially free of any crosslinking, having from about 3 to about 20 carbon atoms, and containing at least one terminal trifluoromethyl group, or containing a polymerization product of such a monomer.

Abstract: An insert for a pickup truck bed comprised of a truck bed insert comprising a plurality of longitudinally and latitudinally extending rib members. The longitudinally and latitudinally extending rib members together forming a plurality of square openings. The truck bed insert is dimensioned to be received within a truck bed of a pickup truck. A plurality of attachment brackets are adapted for securement of the insert within a pickup truck bed. Lock mechanisms have a key insert through an upper portion. The lock mechanisms have lugs selectively extending outwardly of opposing sides of a lower portion thereof to engage slots within a lower portion of the longitudinally extending rib members of the insert for a truck bed whereby the lugs cooperate with the key insert to selectively engage or disengage the slots.

Abstract: A miniaturized biological assembly provides a miniature capillary environment in which a liquid medium containing microscopic-size particulate material can be placed for study under a microscope. The assembly includes components which do not wet relative to the liquid medium. A sample chamber and second chamber are disposed adjacent one another to allow a selective exchange of material, such as nutrients, between the two chambers. The assembly provides an environment that can contain the liquid medium and material for a period of time sufficient to enable observation while preventing deterioration of the medium and material.

Abstract: A miniature chamber assembly that provides a miniature capillary environment in which a liquid medium containing microscopic-size particulate material can be placed for study under a microscope. The assembly includes components which do not wet relative to the liquid medium. The assembly provides a miniaturized capillary environment that can contain the liquid medium for a period of time sufficient to enable observation while preventing deterioration of the medium.

Abstract: A method of making a miniature chamber assembly that provides a miniature capillary environment in which a liquid medium containing microscopic size particulate material can be placed for study under a microscope includes the steps of forming components which are inadequate as to wettability relative to the liquid medium, altering the wettability of the components relative to the liquid medium so that they can provide a miniaturized capillary environment that can contain the liquid medium with particulate material for a time sufficient to prevent deterioration while being studied, and assembling the components to define the miniaturized capillary environment.

Abstract: Capillary flow of a principal fluid is controlled through the medium of a control fluid. The two fluids are capable of forming fluid/fluid interfaces therebetween in which the potential energy states of the two fluids on either side of the interface are different. Flow control of the principal fluid is effected by changing the kind of fluid/fluid interface by reversing the potential energy states of the two fluids at the interface or interfaces therebetween.