A unique fiber core sampler composition, related systems, and techniques for designing, making, and using the same are described. The sampler is used to interface with existing field instrumentation, such as Ion Mobility Spectrometer (IMS) equipment. Desired sampler characteristics include its: stiffness/flexibility; thermal mass and conductivity; specific heat; trace substance collection/release dependability, sensitivity and repeatability; thickness; reusability; durability; stability for thermal cleaning; and the like. In one form the sampler has a glass fiber core with a thickness less than 0.3 millimeter that is coated with a polymer including one or more of: polymeric organofluorine, polyimide, polyamide, PolyBenzlmidazole (PBI), PolyDiMethylSiloxane (PDMS), sulfonated tetrafluoroethylene (PFSA) and Poly(2,6-diphenyl-p-phenylene Oxide) (PPPO). Multiple polymer coatings with the same or different polymer types may be included, core/substrate surface functionalization utilized, and/or the core/substrate may be at partially filled with thermally conductive particles.

A device for separating analytes is disclosed. The device has a sample injector, sample injection needle, sample reservoir container in communication with the sample injector, chromatography column downstream of the sample injector, and fluid conduits connecting the sample injector and the column. The interior surfaces of the fluid conduits, sample injector, sample reservoir container, and column form a flow path having wetted surfaces. A portion of the wetted surfaces of the flow path are coated with an alkylsilyl coating that is inert to at least one of the analytes. The alkylsilyl coating has the Formula I: ##STR00001##
R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.3, R.sup.4, R.sup.5, and R.sup.6 are each independently selected from (C.sub.1-C.sub.6)alkoxy, —NH(C.sub.1-C.sub.6)alkyl, —N((C.sub.1-C.sub.6)alkyl).sub.2, OH, OR.sup.A, and halo. R.sup.A represents a point of attachment to the interior surfaces of the fluidic system. At least one of R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.3, R.sup.4, R.sup.5, and R.sup.6 is OR.sup.A. X is (C.sub.1-C.sub.20)alkyl, —O[(CH.sub.2).sub.2O].sub.1-20—, —(C.sub.1-C.sub.10)[NH(CO)NH(C.sub.1-C.sub.10)].sub.1-20—, or —(C.sub.1-C.sub.10)[alkylphenyl(C.sub.1-C.sub.10)alkyl].sub.1-20-.

Nanostructured coating materials, methods of their production, and methods of use in a variety of applications are described. The nanostructured materials described herein include one or more 2.sup.+ and/or 3.sup.+ metal ion(s), optionally in a ternary phase, on a substrate.

Coating compositions for coating fluid handling components, and related methods, may include in some aspects a coating composition having a trifunctional silane, a silanol, and a filler. The coating composition may be applied to a surface of a fluid handling component that is configured to be exposed to a fluid. The coating composition may be applied to at least partially cover or coat the surface. The coating composition may be configured to chemically bond with a cured primer composition that includes an epoxy.

Coating compositions for coating fluid handling components, and related methods, may include in some aspects a coating composition having a trifunctional silane, a silanol, and a filler. The coating composition may be applied to a surface of a fluid handling component that is configured to be exposed to a fluid. The coating composition may be applied to at least partially cover or coat the surface. The coating composition may be configured to chemically bond with a cured primer composition that includes an epoxy.

Methods for forming a fluoropolymer coated component, such as a metal component, comprise applying an adhesion promoter onto a surface of the component; applying an organic material onto the adhesion promoter; and applying a mixture comprising a fluoropolymer and a solvent selected from a furan or a fluorinated solvent onto the organic material. Fluoropolymer coatings have a thickness of from about 5 mil to about 80 mil on a component, an average porosity of from about 20% to about 70% based on the total volume of the layer, and a void density of from about 10.sup.11 to about 10.sup.13 voids per cm.sup.3.

A device for processing samples is disclosed. Interior surfaces of the device, which come in contact with fluids, define wetted surfaces. A portion of the wetted surfaces are coated with an alkylsilyl coating having the Formula I: ##STR00001##
R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.3, R.sup.4, R.sup.5, and R.sup.6 are each independently selected from (C.sub.1-C.sub.6)alkoxy, —NH(C.sub.1-C.sub.6)alkyl, —N((C.sub.1-C.sub.6)alkyl).sub.2, OH, OR.sup.A, and halo. R.sup.A represents a point of attachment to the interior surfaces of the fluidic system. At least one of R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.3, R.sup.4, R.sup.5, and R.sup.6 is OR.sup.A. X is (C.sub.1-C.sub.20)alkyl, —O[(CH.sub.2).sub.2O].sub.1-20—, —(C.sub.1-C.sub.10)[NH(CO)NH(C.sub.1-C.sub.10)].sub.1-20—, or —(C.sub.1-C.sub.10)[alkylphenyl(C.sub.1-C.sub.10)alkyl].sub.1-20—.

The present disclosure provides a composite coating and a method for fabricating the composite coating. The composite coating comprises a polymer layer, a metal interlayer and an amorphous metal coating. The polymer layer is formed on a substrate and acts as a diffusion barrier layer, which is thick and dense enough to prevent the corrosive substances from penetrating into the substrate. The metal interlayer is formed between the polymer layer and the amorphous metal coating for improving the adhesion of the amorphous metal coating to the substrate.

The present disclosure provides a composite coating and a method for fabricating the composite coating. The composite coating comprises a polymer layer, a metal interlayer and an amorphous metal coating. The polymer layer is formed on a substrate and acts as a diffusion barrier layer, which is thick and dense enough to prevent the corrosive substances from penetrating into the substrate. The metal interlayer is formed between the polymer layer and the amorphous metal coating for improving the adhesion of the amorphous metal coating to the substrate.

An apparatus and method for producing a coated analytic substrate using a compact and portable automated instrument located in the laboratory setting at the point of use which can consistently produce one or a plurality of coated analytic substrates “on demand” for using the analytic substrate immediately after coating, preferably without a step of rinsing the coated analytic substrate before use. The apparatus preferably uses applicator cartridges having a reservoir containing the coating compositions used to form the coatings. Preferably the cartridges are removable and interchangeable to facilitate the production of individual analytic substrates having different coatings or different coating patterns. These coated analytic substrates have superior specimen adhesion characteristics due to the improved quality of the coatings applied by the coating apparatus and due to the quickness with which the coated analytic substrates can be used in the lab after production.