Miniature parts

Automated assays must be miniaturized, partly because they will typically receive small quantities of compound from collections or chemical libraries, but also to reduce the costs of biological reagents. 

FIGURE 2.61 Miniature part of spring from POM (Polyoxymethylene), with molded mini hot runner system... 

Thin films have become ubiquitous in the polymer industry. Fueled by the microelectronics industry and its need for miniature parts, polymer applications have become more demanding. Polymers in these environments have been tested and modeled in laboratories around the world from universities to automobile companies, research surrounding thin films is quickly growing. ... 

MID parts can be either secured to a frame or metallized in a drum, depending on size. Drum metallization is a high-capacity process for highly miniaturized parts. The drum has to be in constant rotation in order for metallization to be uniform. Whenever plating quality is subject to high requirements, however, or if component geometry is complex, it is advisable to use frames for metallization [30]. 

An array ion collector (detector) consists of a large number of miniature electron multiplier elements arranged side by side along a plane. Point ion collectors gather and detect ions sequentially (all ions are focused at one point one after another), but array collectors gather and detect all ions simultaneously (all ions are focused onto the array elements at the same time). Array detectors are particularly useful for situations in which ionization occurs within a very short space of time, as with some ionization sources, or in which only trace quantities of a substance are available. For these very short time scales, only the array collector can measure a whole spectrum or part of a spectrum satisfactorily in the time available. 

Tia, as well as some other metals, can undergo a phenomenon where tiny metal filaments, called whiskers, form randomly on parts used ia electrical apphcafions. In low voltage, miniature circuitry, whiskers can cause short circuits. Alloys having 2% lead minimum or 0.5% bismuth or heat treatments are said to overcome the problem. A specification for electroplated fin coafings is available (133). 

Heat-resistant parts, precision parts, miniature connectors... 

Die Fabrik auf dem Chip, Spektrum der Wissenschafi, October 2002 Miniaturization and modularization of parts of future chemical apparatus general advantages of micro flow expert opinions specialty and fine chemical applications leading position of German technology flexible manufacture large-capacity micro reactors reformers for small-capacity applications compatible and automated micro-reaction systems process-control systems temperature and pressure sensors [209]. 

Das Chemidabor im Mikrochip, Blick durch die Wirtschafi, December 1997 Chemtel glass chip of Orchid Biocomputer, Princeton 144 cells for parallel processing matchbox-sized system with many devices micro pumps with no movable parts 10 nl internal volume carrying out of different reactions in parallel fashion complete chemistry laboratory en miniature 10 000 cells as future-development task [223],... 

In the early days of CHEMFET development, the expectations for successful application to a variety of biomedically important sensing applications were high. This was in part due to the fact that CHEMFET s are easily miniaturized (<2 mm surface area) and so are obvious candidates for in vivo applications. This enthusiasm has largely been tempered by the reality that although field-effect tran-... 

The miniaturized Mossbauer instruments have proven as part of the NASA Mars Exploration Rover 2003 mission that Mossbauer spectroscopy is a powerful tool for planetary exploration, including our planet Earth. For the advanced model of MIMOS II, the new detector technologies and electronic components increase sensitivity and performance significantly. In combination with the high-energy resolution of the SDD, it will be possible to perform XRF analysis in parallel to Mossbauer spectroscopy. In addition to the Fe-mineralogy, information on the sample s elemental composition will be obtained. 

In the conventional NMR system used in chemical analyses, downsizing of the spectrometer alone may not be appealing, unless other parts of the system, such as a superconducting magnet, a power amplifier, etc., are also miniaturized. On the other hand, the small-sized spectrometer would find interest in various unconventional scenes. In this section, we show examples of such. 

The miniature fiber optic NO2 sensors based upon dye encapsulation in the silica sol-gel can produce linear and reproducible results87. The nitrogen dioxide sensor based on immobilization of ruthenium complex [Ru(bpy)3]Cl2 demonstrated sensitivity in the hundreds parts per million range with reversibility and rapid response time. 

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