A crimping tool including a frame, a die fixedly and non-pivotally supported by the frame, a punch arm pivotally mounted on the frame, a mating die affixed to the punch arm, and an actuator interconnected to the punch arm for moving the mating die between a first position in which the mating die engages the die and a second position in which the mating die is spaced from the die. Methods are also provided for assaying such polymers on porous silica substrates. The fluid controller is fluidly coupled to the polishing apparatus by way of at least one conduit.