Abstract: In an example, an apparatus may include a first elongated member having a hollow core and a first end, a second elongated member extending partially into the hollow core of the first elongated member, a driving mechanism to move the first elongated member with respect to the second elongated member to vary a distance between the first end and the second elongated member, and a control circuit housed within the second elongated member, in which the control circuit is to control the driving mechanism to vary a position of the first end with respect to the second elongated member. The apparatus may also include a load cell to detect a physical load applied onto the apparatus, in which the load cell is to communicate the detected physical load to the control circuit.

Abstract: An apparatus for converting rotary motion to linear motion comprising: a cylindrical bore; a plurality of balls of uniform radius. The apparatus further comprises a rotor element, The rotor element further comprising a helical groove on the perimeter of the rotor element, wherein the helical groove comprises two ends and a race, wherein the race is configured to hold the plurality of balls in contact with a surface of the bore and is further configured to roll the ball in a helical groove path. The apparatus further comprises a recirculation conduit joining the two ends of the helical groove, wherein the conduit is configured to create a path for the plurality of balls and is further configured to allow the plurality of balls to remain in the helical groove during rotation of the rotor element.

Abstract: An apparatus for concentrating solar radiation includes a number of modules. Each module has three receivers for receiving reflected radiation and a reflecting surface. The receivers form a triangle in a plane approximately parallel to the reflecting surface. The reflecting surface has a number of reflectors. Each of the reflectors includes three mirrored facets which are each oriented such that light reflected from the facet is directed to one of the three receivers. Further, each of the reflectors is positioned with respect to the receivers and the other reflectors to reduce facet shading.

Abstract: An apparatus for concentrating solar radiation includes a number of modules. Each module has three receivers for receiving reflected radiation and a reflecting surface. The receivers form a triangle in a plane approximately parallel to the reflecting surface. The reflecting surface has a number of reflectors. Each of the reflectors includes three mirrored facets which are each oriented such that light reflected from the facet is directed to one of the three receivers. Further, each of the reflectors is positioned with respect to the receivers and the other reflectors to reduce facet shading.

Abstract: A method for drying a work piece is provided. The method includes raising a plurality of submerged workpieces supported on a first transition arm partially above a fluid/air interface and capturing the plurality of partially submerged workpieces during the raising by a second transition arm located above the fluid/air interface. A system for drying a workpiece is also included.

Abstract: A system for drying a work piece is provided. The system includes a chamber containing a cleaning fluid in a first portion of the chamber and a drying region. The system includes a wet transition arm configured to support a plurality of work pieces while disposed in the cleaning fluid. A dry transition arn configured to accept the plurality of work pieces from the wet transition arm as the wet transition arm is being raised is also included. The dry transition arm and the wet transition arm are coupled to a common drive mechanism, wherein the common drive mechanism includes a first and a second motor. The first motor is configured to drive both the wet and dry transition arms. The second motor is configured to control an amount of separation between the wet and dry transition arms. A transition arm and method for drying a work piece are provided.

Abstract: Small form factor pallet assembly, comprising a slotted plate having at opposite ends a mandrel drive assembly and an idler assembly, each with end fittings for engaging the drive and manifold block of a cascade-type scrubber permits scrubbing of SFF substrates by replacement of LFF scrub brushes with the SFF pallet. The SFF pallet slot is oriented below its brush nip so SSF substrates can engage the LFF rotation belt and transport drive. The drive chain is fitted with multi-finger yokes of different sizes so that several sizes of SFF substrates can be scrubbed in the pallet with a single chain. Trolleys for lateral transport of substrates from the input zone to the scrubber lane and from it to the output bay are disclosed. The inventive SFF pallet system meets the changing needs of the hard drive industry, and its retrofit capacity extends the life of already-installed LFF cascade scrubbers.

Abstract: Multi-disk processing system and method of continuous finishing of memory media disks for digital data storage systems in preparation for magnetic memory coating, comprising four main sub-systems: 1) multiple driven spindles mounted on a chassis, at 3, 6, 9 and 12 o'clock positions; 2) finishing tape head units mounted on a base; 3) a robotic handler for loading and unloading disks onto/off at least one of the spindles; and 4) a programmable system controller that controls the sub-system operations and loading/unloading. The tape head sub-system includes its own programmable controller and sensors for control of the finishing tape advance. The multiple spindles and handler rotate relative to each other. In a preferred embodiment, the spindles are mounted on a rotating turntable that also oscillates. Alternately, the spindles are fixed in position and a rotating handler with multiple grippers for simultaneously loading/unloading disks from all spindles at once is used.

Abstract: Multi-disk processing system and method of continuous finishing of memory media disks for digital data storage systems in preparation for magnetic memory coating, comprising four main sub-systems: 1) multiple driven spindles mounted on a chassis, at 3, 6, 9 and 12 o'clock positions; 2) finishing tape head units mounted on a base; 3) a robotic handler for loading and unloading disks onto/off at least one of the spindles; and 4) a programmable system controller that controls the sub-system operations and loading/unloading. The tape head sub-system includes its own programmable controller and sensors for control of the finishing tape advance. The multiple spindles and handler rotate relative to each other. In a preferred embodiment, the spindles are mounted on a rotating turntable that also oscillates. Alternately, the spindles are fixed in position and a rotating handler with multiple grippers for simultaneously loading/unloading disks from all spindles at once is used.

Abstract: A method and system for circulating sample solution within a reaction chamber containing a microarray. The reaction chamber contains, on each side, a shallow vertical and a deep vertical well at the corners of the microarray. The vertical wells having a gap between the active surface of the microarray and the bottom of the reaction chamber are filled with sample solution. As the reaction chamber is rotated, sample solution from the deep vertical well displaces sample solution in the gap between the active surface of the microarray and the bottom of the reaction vessel, and sample solution from that gap is, in turn, displaced into the shallow vertical well, from which it flows along the inner surface of a cover strip above the microarray back to the deep vertical well.

Abstract: Methods and devices for determining a quality of a substrate surface are provided. Embodiments of the subject methods include producing a plurality of droplets on the surface of a substrate, illuminating the droplet-coated surface, observing a resultant optical property from the surface; and evaluating a quality of the substrate based on the observed optical property. In certain embodiments, an evaluated substrate is one which is to be used in the fabrication of an array assembly and the evaluation is performed prior to fabricating an array on the subject surface. In certain embodiments, an evaluated substrate is one which includes one or more arrays thereon and the evaluation is performed subsequent to the fabrication of the array on the substrate, e.g., to evaluate the quality of the features of the fabricated array. Also provided are apparatuses, systems and kits for use in practicing the subject methods.

Abstract: A septum penetrable by a member and which maintains a seal following member penetration in an axial direction and withdrawal. The septum includes a first layer of resilient material having first and second opposed surfaces, and a second layer extending across the first surface of the first layer and which is in radial tension. A third layer under tension may extend across the second surface. Septum assemblies and methods of fabricating the septa are also provided.

Abstract: Methods for producing glass substrates having scribed edges with straight and smooth ends substantially free of edge protrusions, and microarray glass substrates produced thereby, are provided. In certain embodiments, at least one scribe line is scribed in glass using reduced laser power at the beginning and end of each scribe line relative to the laser power used to scribe the remaining portions of each respective scribe line. In other embodiments, a heat absorbing laser element is positioned adjacent the beginning and end of each scribe line. In all embodiments, the scribed glass is singulated to produce a plurality of scribed glass pieces, each having straight and smooth ends substantially free of edge protrusions. The scribed glass can be used as substrates for biopolymeric microarrays. Also provided are biopolymeric microarrays produced from the subject methods and kits which include the subject microarrays, as well as methods for using the same.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are disclosed for forming a reaction chamber having relatively small volumes. An apparatus comprises two elements and a mechanism for introducing a gas to form a movable aerodynamic seal between the elements. In this manner a chamber having a controllable interior environment is formed. One of the elements may have at least a portion of a device for dispensing reagents sealingly affixed therein. The other element may be adapted for introduction of a support into the interior of the chamber formed by the top and the bottom element. The apparatus may be used in methods for synthesizing biopolymers on a support.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for modifying a substrate surface are provided. In accordance with the subject methods, a substrate surface is contacted with a particulate-containing fluid. The fluid is then ultrasonically or sonically agitated to modify the substrate surface. In certain embodiments, the particulate-containing fluid has a pH above the isoelectric point of the substrate. Also provided are devices capable of providing ultrasonic and/or sonic energy and which include a non-acidic, particulate-containing fluid. The subject invention also provides systems and kits for use in practicing the subject methods.