Abstract: A magnetic resonance imaging system that includes an array of antennas that includes a substrate, a plurality of antennas arranged on a first face of the substrate, and a plurality of guard rings. The guard rings are arranged only on the second face of the substrate, opposite the first face. A projection of each of the antennas on the second face of the substrate being circumscribed within a specific guard ring. The guard rings are spaced apart from one another.

Abstract: This pad microprinting device comprises: a multi-level pad (34) wherein the printing pattern is made out of elastomeric material for which the Young's modulus is between 0.1 and 100 MPa, and a stop mechanism (62-64) capable of keeping an incompressible space of a thickness Dn between the nth flat bottom (122B) and the face of the substrate (32) on which an imprint has to be printed, when the pad is compressed against the face of the substrate to print off the imprint, the thickness Dn being between hn/2 and hn+100 nm where hn is the height of the protrusions of the printing pattern.

Abstract: The invention relates to a machine for machining a part by micro-electrical discharge machining, said machine comprising a mechanism (44, 45, 46, 48) for modifying the configuration of the machine so as to alternatively and reversibly switch from a machining configuration to a sharpening configuration in which the tip of a same etching electrode (20) and another electrode (64) are dipped in an electrolyte bath in order to sharpen the tip of the etching electrode by electrochemnical corrosion.

Abstract: The invention relates to a machine for machining a part by micro-electrical discharge machining, said machine comprising a mechanism (44, 45, 46, 48) for modifying the configuration of the machine so as to alternatively and reversibly switch from a machining configuration to a sharpening configuration in which the tip of a same etching electrode (20) and another electrode (64) are dipped in an electrolyte bath in order to sharpen the tip of the etching electrode by electrochemnical corrosion.

Abstract: This pad microprinting device comprises: a multi-level pad (34) wherein the printing pattern is made out of elastomeric material for which the Young's modulus is between 0.1 and 100 MPa, and a stop mechanism (62-64) capable of keeping an incompressible space of a thickness Dn between the nth flat bottom (122B) and the face of the substrate (32) on which an imprint has to be printed, when the pad is compressed against the face of the substrate to print off the imprint, the thickness Dn being between hn/2 and hn+100 nm where hn is the height of the protrusions of the printing pattern.

Abstract: The invention relates to a biochip comprising a substrate presenting a reflecting main surface and wherein the main surface presents localized sites that are made sensitive to fluorescence detection by a transparent layer having optical thickness (2k+1)?/4 where k is a positive or zero integer and where ? designates a wavelength lying between a wavelength ?0 at which fluorescence is excited and a wavelength ?1 at which fluorescence is emitted. The biochip can be manufactured by depositing a transparent layer of thickness m??/2 on a substrate and by making studs or wells of thickness (2k+1)?/4 in said layer to form said sensitive sites.

Abstract: A method of ex situ fabrication of at least one biochip, the method being of the type consisting in projecting onto a substrate a microvolume of reagent comprising at least one probe diluted in a suitable solvent so as to form, after the solvent has been eliminated, a spot comprising said probe, the method consisting in using a microprojection device comprising at least one tank in which the reagent is stored, and at least one source of gas under pressure put into communication with the tank, and in projecting the microvolume of reagent through an ejection nozzle under drive from the pressure exerted by the gas on the reagent.

Abstract: A method of ex situ fabrication of at least one biochip, the method being of the type consisting in projecting onto a substrate a microvolume of reagent comprising at least one probe diluted in a suitable solvent so as to form, after the solvent has been eliminated, a spot comprising said probe, the method consisting in using a microprojection device comprising at least one tank in which the reagent is stored, and at least one source of gas under pressure put into communication with the tank, and in projecting the microvolume of reagent through an ejection nozzle under drive from the pressure exerted by the gas on the reagent.

Abstract: The invention relates to a biochip comprising a substrate presenting a reflecting main surface and wherein the main surface presents localized sites that are made sensitive to fluorescence detection by a transparent layer having optical thickness (2k+1)&lgr;/4 where k is a positive or zero integer and where &lgr; designates a wavelength lying between a wavelength &lgr;0 at which fluorescence is excited and a wavelength &lgr;1 at which fluorescence is emitted. The biochip can be manufactured by depositing a transparent layer of thickness m&lgr;′/2 on a substrate and by making studs or wells of thickness (2k+1)&lgr;/4 in said layer to form said sensitive sites.