Rapid thermal cycling device

Abstract

Lid for a well plate having wells therein having pin-like members which project downwardly into the wells of said well plate. The invention has means and pins associated with each means for causing the pins to change temperature or vibrate ultrasonically or control the polarity and magnitude of an electrical charge placed on the pins. The means can, respectively, alter the temperature of a fluid contained in the wells or sever material contained in the liquid or attract or repel particles suspended in the liquid.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . An apparatus for altering the characteristics of a liquid sample or material contained therein, stored in at least one well in a well plate said apparatus comprising a lid made of heat retaining material, said lid sized to cover the top of a well plate having wells therein, said lid having a downwardly projecting member which protrudes into said well  
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  which includes means for altering the temperature of said downwardly projecting member.  
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1  which further includes means adapted to cause said downwardly projecting member to vibrate ultrasonically.  
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1  which includes means for controlling the polarity and magnitude of an electrical charge on said downwardly projecting member.