Abstract: The assay plate includes a substrate having an substrate surface and at least one raised pad extending from the substrate surface. The raised pad includes a substantially planar sample receiving surface configured for holding a sample thereon for in-situ experimentation. The sample receiving surface preferably has at least one sharp edge at the junction between a sidewall coupling the sample receiving surface to the substrate surface. The sample receiving surface is preferably a circle, oval, square, rectangle, triangle, pentagon, hexagon, or octagon shape that is sized to hold a predetermined volume of the sample. A method of using the above described assay plate is also provided. Once a raised pad extending from a substrate is formed, a sample is deposited on the raised pad. Experiments are subsequently performed using the sample on the raised pad.

Abstract: The invention concerns arrays of solid-forms of substances, such as compounds and rapid-screening methods therefor to identify solid-forms, particularly of pharmaceuticals, with enhanced properties. Such properties include improved bioavailability, solubility, stability, delivery, and processing and manufacturing characteristics. The invention relates to a practical and cost-effective method to rapidly screen hundreds to thousands of samples in parallel. The invention further provides methods for determining the conditions and/or ranges of conditions required to produce crystals with desired compositions, particle sizes, habits, or polymorphic forms. In a further aspect, the invention provides high-throughput methods to identify sets of conditions and/or combinations of components compatible with particular solid-forms, for example, conditions and/or components that are compatible with advantageous polymorphs of a particular pharmaceutical.

Abstract: Reservoir-based medical devices are provided. In one embodiment, the medical device comprises a substrate; at least two discrete, microfabricated reservoirs provided in spaced positions across at least one surface of the substrate; discrete reservoir caps covering the at least two reservoirs; and control circuitry for selectively disintegrating the reservoir caps to open the reservoirs. The reservoirs of the device can include a diagnostic reagent or other molecules useful in medical diagnostics. In one embodiment, the reservoir cap comprises an anode and the control circuitry comprises a cathode and a power source for creating an electric potential between the cathode and the anode. Application of the electric potential causes the reservoir cap to disintegrate, thereby opening the reservoir.

Abstract: Device are provided for the controlled release or exposure of molecules or secondary devices comprising a substrate; a plurality of reservoirs located in the substrate; reservoir contents comprising molecules, a secondary device, or both, isolated inside the reservoirs; reservoir caps positioned on the reservoirs over the reservoir contents, wherein the reservoir caps (which can comprise a metal film) are mechanically reinforced with a second material deposited and patterned on the surface of the metal film inside the reservoir or on the surface of the metal film outside the reservoir or on both of said surfaces; and control circuitry and a power source for disintegrating the reservoir caps to initiate exposure or release of the reservoir contents in selected reservoirs.

Abstract: The assay plate includes a substrate having an substrate surface and at least one raised pad extending from the substrate surface. The raised pad includes a substantially planar sample receiving surface configured for holding a sample thereon for in-situ experimentation. The sample receiving surface preferably has at least one sharp edge at the junction between a sidewall coupling the sample receiving surface to the substrate surface. The sample receiving surface is preferably a circle, oval, square, rectangle, triangle, pentagon, hexagon, or octagon shape that is sized to hold a predetermined volume of the sample. A method of using the above described assay plate is also provided. Once a raised pad extending from a substrate is formed, a sample is deposited on the raised pad. Experiments are subsequently performed using the sample on the raised pad.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described that allow the high-throughput preparation, processing, and study of arrays of samples, each of which comprises at least one compound. Particular embodiments of the invention allow a large number of experiments to be performed in parallel on samples that comprised of one or more compounds on the milligram or microgram quantities of compounds. Other embodiments of the invention encompass methods and devices for the rapid screening of the results of such experiments, as well as methods and devices for rapidly determining whether or not similarities exist among groups of samples in an array. Particular embodiments of the invention encompass methods and devices for the high-throughput preparation of different forms of compounds (e.g., different crystalline forms), for the discovery of new forms of old compounds, and for the discovery of new methods of producing such forms.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described that allow the high-throughput preparation, processing, and study of arrays of samples, each of which comprises at least one compound. Particular embodiments of the invention allow a large number of experiments to be performed in parallel on samples that comprised of one or more compounds on the milligram or microgram quantities of compounds. Other embodiments of the invention encompass methods and devices for the rapid screening of the results of such experiments, as well as methods and devices for rapidly determining whether or not similarities exist among groups of samples in an array. Particular embodiments of the invention encompass methods and devices for the high-throughput preparation of different forms of compounds (e.g., different crystalline forms), for the discovery of new forms of old compounds, and for the discovery of new methods of producing such forms.

Abstract: A method of producing an oriented oxide superconducting film. A metal oxyfluoride film is provided on a substrate. The metal oxyfluoride film comprises the constituent metallic elements of an oxide superconductor in substantially stoichiometric proportions. The film is then converted into the oxide superconductor in a processing gas having a total pressure less than atmospheric pressure.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods and apparatuses for manipulating small amounts of solids. Specific embodiments of the invention are particularly suited for the automated transfer of small amounts of solids. In one embodiment, a uniform powder bed is lightly compressed into plugs of powder and dispensed. In another embodiment, the solid is placed in a liquid carrier to form a slurry, dispensed, and the liquid component is subsequently removed. In yet another embodiment, solids are manipulated using adhesive surfaces.

Abstract: The assay plate includes a substrate having an substrate surface and at least one raised pad extending from the substrate surface. The raised pad includes a substantially planar sample receiving surface configured for holding a sample thereon for in situ experimentation. The sample receiving surface preferably has at least one sharp edge at the junction between a sidewall coupling the sample receiving surface to the substrate surface. The sample receiving surface is preferably a circle, oval, square, rectangle, triangle, pentagon, hexagon, or octagon shape that is sized to hold a predetermined volume of the sample. A method of using the above described assay plate is also provided. Once a raised pad extending from a substrate is formed, a sample is deposited on the raised pad. Experiments are subsequently performed using the sample on the raised pad.

Abstract: The assay plate includes a substrate having an substrate surface and at least one raised pad extending from the substrate surface. The raised pad includes a substantially planar sample receiving surface configured for holding a sample thereon for in-situ experimentation. The sample receiving surface preferably has at least one sharp edge at the junction between a sidewall coupling the sample receiving surface to the substrate surface. The sample receiving surface is preferably a circle, oval, square, rectangle, triangle, pentagon, hexagon, or octagon shape that is sized to hold a predetermined volume of the sample. A method of using the above described assay plate is also provided. Once a raised pad extending from a substrate is formed, a sample is deposited on the raised pad. Experiments are subsequently performed using the sample on the raised pad.

Abstract: A system for producing three dimensional components by bonding together successive layers of a porous material with droplets of a binder material. A binder printhead has an array of nozzles which controllably supply jets of binder material droplets to the layers of porous material. The printhead is scanned in a raster scan fashion over each layer of porous material along a first scan axis in one direction to provide first fast scanning paths of droplets. The printhead is then moved laterally of such one direction and is then moved along the fast-scan axis in the opposite direction to provide second fast scanning paths of droplets which are interlaced with the first scanning paths. The supply of the droplets to the porous material can be controlled so as to control the overlapping thereof to produce various desired surface and interior characteristics of the components.

Abstract: A system for producing three dimensional components by bonding together successive layers of a porous material with droplets of a binder material. A binder printhead has an array of nozzles which controllably supply jets of binder material droplets to the layers of porous material. The printhead is scanned in a raster scan fashion over each layer of porous material along a first scan axis in one direction to provide first fast scanning paths of droplets. The printhead is then moved laterally of such one direction and is then moved along the fast-scan axis in the opposite direction to provide second fast scanning paths of droplets which are interlaced with the first scanning paths. The supply of the droplets to the porous material can be controlled so as to control the overlapping thereof to produce various desired surface and interior characteristics of the components.

Abstract: A process for making a component by depositing a first layer of a powder material in a confined region and then depositing a binder material to selected regions of the layer of powder material to produce a layer of bonded powder material at the selected regions. Such steps are repeated a selected number of times to produce successive layers of selected regions of bonded powder material so as to form the desired component. The unbonded powder material is then removed. In some cases the component may be further processed as, for example, by heating it to further strengthen the bonding thereof.