Patent ID: 8124033

Claim:
An apparatus comprising: a) at least one temperature module comprising i. a heater, ii. a conductor of caloric comprised of a material selected from the group consisting of a metal, a semiconductor, a diamond, a carbon nanotube, and a fullerene, and iii. a temperature sensor, wherein the heater and the temperature sensor each comprise a surface arranged on a common plane and are arranged concentrically with respect to each other in a top view, and b) a removable substrate having a top surface structure to receive a sample selected from the group consisting of a chemical sample, a biological sample and a combination thereof in liquid form, the substrate being arranged on a plane parallel to the common plane, and a bottom surface structured to be in contact with the conductor of caloric; wherein the apparatus defines a substrate-supporting surface configured to position the substrate above and entirely covering the temperature control module and to secure the substrate solely by the force of gravity; wherein the heater is in thermal communication with the substrate via the conductor of caloric; and wherein the temperature sensor is adapted to detect and control the temperature of the substrate via the conductor of caloric.