A discrete volume vacuum sampling device is provided with a vacuum tube, a sample tube, and a sample container. The ring-shaped member of the reel contacts a substantially central portion, in a heightwise direction, of the inner peripheral surface of the hub. Upon assembling the filter, vacuum sealing the filter in a bag further assures that the sterilization of the filter is maintained. If a matching address is found in an entry in a write queue, the search mechanism is configured to retrieve the write data from the entry and to cancel the associated write request, whereby the read request can be satisfied without accessing the one or more memory devices. A method of making a supported electrochemical device is disclosed wherein the method includes a step of bonding a pre-fabricated electrochemical device layer to an existing porous metal or porous metal alloy layer.