Methods of manipulating small amounts of solids

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.

1 - 37 . (canceled) 
     
     
         38 . An apparatus for dispensing a controlled mass of a powder with an average particle size of less than about 200 micrometers, which comprises:
 (a) a powder bed with a predetermined mass and uniform height;   (b) a grille plate with an array of holes, wherein the grille plate is sized so that a tube can pass through each with a small clearance while holding the grille plate on top of the powder bed; and   (c) a tube which can be inserted through a hole of the grille plate a controlled distance into the powder bed to obtain a plug of powder, wherein the tube has an interior that accommodates a means for ejecting materials from within the tube after the tube is lifted from the powder bed.   
     
     
         39 . An apparatus for dispensing a controlled mass of a powder with an average particle size of less than about 200 micrometers, which comprises:
 (a) a source receptacle assembly comprising:
 (1) a source receptacle with sides, a top face, a bottom face, and at least one cylindrical hole that passes through and is perpendicular to the bottom face; and 
 (2) a base plate that is removeably attached to the bottom face; 
   (b) a cylindrical pin with at least one flat, perpendicular end face which can be rotated through an angle of at least 1 degree of rotation with a predetermined force applied; and   (c) a tube which can be inserted a controlled distance into the powder to obtain a plug of powder, wherein the tube has an interior that accommodates a means for ejecting materials from within the tube.   
     
     
         40 . An apparatus for dispensing a controlled mass of a powder with an average particle size of less than about 200 micrometers, which comprises:
 (a) a source receptacle assembly comprising:
 (1) a source receptacle with sides, a top face, a bottom face, and at least one cylindrical hole that passes through and is perpendicular to the bottom face; 
 (2) a close fitting rotatable cylinder disposed inside of the cylindrical hole; and 
 (3) a cylinder locking means which allows the close fitting cylinder to be either locked to or disengaged from the source receptacle; 
   (b) a slide plate with at least one flat face which can be pressed against the top face of the source receptacle; and   (c) a tube which can be inserted a controlled distance into the powder to obtain a plug of powder, wherein the tube has an interior that accommodates a means for ejecting materials from within the tube.