The Flow Coater is a device that was custom built by the Crosby Group. It can be used to make thin films.  It is composed of a blade, a moving stage, and a microscope.  The substance that is to compose the film is placed in a solvent and then placed under the blade and on the objected that is to be coated, which is on the stage.  The stage then moves backward.  The thickness of the film varies linearly according to the velocity of the stage.  Unlike the spin coater, the Flow Coater can make uniform or gradient film.