Microarrays, hybridization seals, and related methods

An apparatus, comprising:

• an evaporation barrier;
• and
• a layer including walls that form a grid pattern that define a plurality of sample chambers that are to receive fluid, the layer includes a first side and a second side, the second side coupled to the evaporation barrier,
• wherein the evaporation barrier includes barrier sections that include one or more slits,
• wherein a portion of each of the barrier sections is heat treated, wherein the heat treating of the portion of each of the barrier sections enables deformation that allows the barrier sections to have a convex profile or a concave profile depending on an amount of fluid within a corresponding sample chamber.

An apparatus, comprising:

• a substrate including a plurality of probes;
• and
• a hybridization seal, comprising:
• an evaporation barrier;
• and
• a layer including walls that form a grid pattern and define a plurality of sample chambers that are to receive fluid, the layer includes a first side removably coupled to the substrate and a second side coupled to the evaporation barrier,
• wherein the evaporation barrier includes barrier sections that cover the probes, wherein each barrier section includes an inlet opening and a plurality of slits,
• wherein a portion of each of the barrier sections is heat treated, wherein the heat treating of the portion of each of the barrier sections enables deformation that allows the barrier sections to have a convex profile or a concave profile depending on an amount of the fluid within the corresponding sample chamber.