The Tensioner™ makes thin films from liquids and solutions using a unique new surface tension technology which does not require a substrate such as a crystal. It can be used for transmission sampling or as a microscope stage. Films are drawn over the triangular aperture formed by a stretched filament. The sample is drawn up from a well by moving the base of the triangle across the two filament legs thereby feeding the liquid to the stretched filament. Since there is no substrate, just sample, the sensitivity is unbeatable and it is extremely useful for difficult samples such as hair spray, organic acids, cyanoacrylates, and epoxy resins. It can also be used to study tensile strength and physical properties.