Abstract: The invention provides metal liquid chromatography components with uniformly coated internal surfaces and methods for achieving the same. The invention addresses the problem of corrosion or interference of metal components in the flow path for LC analyses in which the sample interacts with metal ions or surfaces. The invention also alleviates the difficulties in coating very long metal tubes and very small metal channels with an inert, continuous coating that adheres well to metal surfaces. The metal flow path is rendered inert by the coating, and thus compatible with bioanalytical separations, for example, by using a vapor phase deposition process to coat the inner surfaces with a coating that continuously covers all metal surfaces in the flow path.

Abstract: The invention provides metal liquid chromatography components with uniformly coated internal surfaces and methods for achieving the same. The invention addresses the problem of corrosion or interference of metal components in the flow path for LC analyses in which the sample interacts with metal ions or surfaces. The invention also alleviates the difficulties in coating very long metal tubes and very small metal channels with an inert, continuous coating that adheres well to metal surfaces. The metal flow path is rendered inert by the coating, and thus compatible with bioanalytical separations, for example, by using a vapor phase deposition process to coat the inner surfaces with a coating that continuously covers all metal surfaces in the flow path.

Abstract: The invention provides metal liquid chromatography components with uniformly coated internal surfaces and methods for achieving the same. The invention addresses the problem of corrosion or interference of metal components in the flow path for LC analyses in which the sample interacts with metal ions or surfaces. The invention also alleviates the difficulties in coating very long metal tubes and very small metal channels with an inert, continuous coating that adheres well to metal surfaces. The metal flow path is rendered inert by the coating, and thus compatible with bioanalytical separations, for example, by using a vapor phase deposition process to coat the inner surfaces with a coating that continuously covers all metal surfaces in the flow path.

Abstract: A method for solid state bonding of a plurality of metallic layers and devices made by that method are disclosed. First and second metallic layers are solid state bonded utilizing a protective coating on the non-bonded surfaces that engage the pressure applying appliance to prevent the surfaces from adhering to the pressure applying appliance and to protect the surfaces from imprinting during the bonding process. The invention can be used to fabricate micro-channel devices with smooth outer surfaces and eliminate mold release compounds utilized in conventional bonding procedures.

Abstract: The invention provides metal liquid chromatography components with uniformly coated internal surfaces and methods for achieving the same. The invention addresses the problem of corrosion or interference of metal components in the flow path for LC analyses in which the sample interacts with metal ions or surfaces. The invention also alleviates the difficulties in coating very long metal tubes and very small metal channels with an inert, continuous coating that adheres well to metal surfaces. The metal flow path is rendered inert by the coating, and thus compatible with bioanalytical separations, for example, by using a vapor phase deposition process to coat the inner surfaces with a coating that continuously covers all metal surfaces in the flow path.

Abstract: A method for solid state bonding of a plurality of metallic layers and devices made by that method are disclosed. First and second metallic layers are solid state bonded utilizing a protective coating on the non-bonded surfaces that engage the pressure applying appliance to prevent the surfaces from adhering to the pressure applying appliance and to protect the surfaces from imprinting during the bonding process. The invention can be used to fabricate micro-channel devices with smooth outer surfaces and eliminate mold release compounds utilized in conventional bonding procedures.

Abstract: A polyaryl-ether-ketone (PAEK)-based microfluidic device having an integrated electrospray emitter is disclosed. Bonding of at least one PAEK substrate forming the microfluidic device is accomplished using a solvent-resistant adhesive, such as a polyimide-based adhesive, in combination with an adhesion enhancement treatment. By providing the PAEK-based microfluidic device with an integrated electrospray emitter, efficient and effective analysis of fluid samples is enabled.

Abstract: A contamination detector in accordance with one embodiment of the invention includes a plasma generation system operable to direct an atmospheric plasma discharge towards a surface. The contamination detector further includes a light capture system to capture light generated by interaction of the atmospheric plasma discharge with the surface. The light capture system guides the captured light to an optical detection system configured to detect a contaminant.

Abstract: A fabrication and adhesion method for a polyaryl-ether-ketone (PAEK) device, such as a microfluidic device, is disclosed. At least one glassy uncrystallized PAEK substrate is heated up to near or above the glass transition temperature to allow the substrate to crystallize from the glass state, while embossing the substrate with patterns. Bonding the PAEK substrate to another substrate is accomplished using a solvent-resistant adhesive, such as a polyimide-based adhesive, in combination with an adhesion enhancement treatment. In certain embodiments, the adhesion enhancement treatment is a plasma treatment or a chemical sulfonation treatment.

Abstract: An electrospray device for a mass spectrometry system is described. The electrospray device comprises a body portion and a tip portion extending from the body portion. The tip portion comprises a polymeric material. The electrospray device also comprises a hydrophobic coating substantially selectively covering the tip portion.

Abstract: An electrospray device for a mass spectrometry system is described. The electrospray device comprises a body portion and a tip portion extending from the body portion. The tip portion comprises a polymeric material. The electrospray device also comprises a hydrophobic coating substantially selectively covering the tip portion. The hydrophobic coating is electrically nonconductive.

Abstract: A low-temperature etching environment comprising a halogen and an inert gas in a ratio that does not induce the formation of an etch-limiting surface reaction layer during etching in the low-temperature etching environment. The surface temperature of a material being etched in the low-temperature environment is below that which would melt a photoresist material that has not been treated to increase its glass-reflow temperature.

Abstract: A polyaryl-ether-ketone (PAEK)-based microfluidic device having an integrated electrospray emitter is disclosed. Bonding of at least one PAEK substrate forming the microfluidic device is accomplished using a solvent-resistant adhesive, such as a polyimide-based adhesive, in combination with an adhesion enhancement treatment. By providing the PAEK-based microfluidic device with an integrated electrospray emitter, efficient and effective analysis of fluid samples is enabled.

Abstract: An electroluminescent device and method for making the same. The electroluminescent device includes a substrate that is impermeable to water and oxygen having a first electrode thereon. An electroluminescent layer is in electrical contact with the first electrode, and a second electrode is in electrical contact with the electroluminescent layer. A seal having layers of epoxy and alternating with layers of SiNH prevents water and oxygen from reaching the second electrode. The epoxy preferably has a cure temperature less than 140° C. Similarly, the silicon nitride layer is preferably deposited at a temperature below 140° C. The layer of SiNH preferably has an etch rate of less than 50 A/sec in 10% HF solution.

Abstract: An electroluminescent device and method for making the same. The electroluminescent device includes a substrate that is impermeable to water and oxygen having a first electrode thereon. An electroluminescent layer is in electrical contact with the first electrode, and a second electrode is in electrical contact with the electroluminescent layer. A seal having layers of epoxy and alternating with layers of SiNH prevents water and oxygen from reaching the second electrode. The epoxy preferably has a cure temperature less than 140° C. Similarly, the silicon nitride layer is preferably deposited at a temperature below 140° C. The layer of SiNH preferably has an etch rate of less than 50 A/sec in 10% HF solution.

Abstract: A method of making a plurality of substantially identical microbar encoders, the microbar encoders having a characteristic detectable signal and capable of linking to a probe molecule. In these methods, one or more layers are sequentially deposited unsupported by a template onto a substrate, each layer comprising a plurality of indicator materials. The deposited layers are divided into the plurality of microbar encoders. Diverse groups of microbar encoders can be made separately, and these diverse members can be mixed to provide an anisotropic array for screening multiple target molecules in a massively parallel manner. The present inventive methods thus result in large scale, efficient production of distinguishable encoders.

Abstract: A buried channel and a method of fabricating a buried channel in a substrate including depositing a layer of masking material onto a surface of a substrate, etching a groove in the masking layer, etching a channel into the substrate through the groove, and depositing a cover layer over the masking layer and groove such that the covering layer at least substantially closes over the groove.

Abstract: A color organic electroluminescent device includes color filters, light emitting layers and substrate integrated into a single assembly, with the light emitting layers lying between the substrate and the color filters. Unlike color electroluminescent devices where an image must be viewed through a transparent substrate, or where color filters are deposited upon another device and later combined with the assembly, the present disclosure calls for a transparent protective layer of silicon nitride or a similar material to be deposited over the light emitting layers to protect the light emitting layers from oxygen and moisture, and to serve as a platform for color filters. In order to achieve sufficient density in the protective layer and avoid defects, a cold plasma deposition or similar process is used for deposition of the protective layer. By viewing light through this protective layer instead of a substrate, nearly any substrate can be used.

Abstract: A fabrication and adhesion method for a polyaryl-ether-ketone (PAEK) device, such as a microfluidic device, is disclosed. At least one glassy uncrystallized PAEK substrate is heated up to near or above the glass transition temperature to allow the substrate to crystallize from the glass state, while embossing the substrate with patterns. Bonding the PAEK substrate to another substrate is accomplished using a solvent-resistant adhesive, such as a polyimide-based adhesive, in combination with an adhesion enhancement treatment. In certain embodiments, the adhesion enhancement treatment is a plasma treatment or a chemical sulfonation treatment.

Abstract: A buried channel and a method of fabricating a buried channel in a substrate including depositing a layer of masking material onto a surface of a substrate, etching a groove in the masking layer, etching a channel into the substrate through the groove, and depositing a cover layer over the masking layer and groove such that the covering layer at least substantially closes over the groove.