an apparatus includes a substrate having at least one opening through a top surface to a bottom surface , the substrate also having a first plurality of aligned grooves formed in the top surface and a plurality of fibers , where each of the plurality of fibers are positioned over the opening and in contact with the substrate within a corresponding one of the first plurality of grooves . in another aspect , a method of manipulating fibers includes placing a plurality of fibers on a substrate to extend over an opening formed through a top surface of the substrate to a bottom surface of the substrate , and flowing air through the opening to draw the plurality of fibers down towards the top surface of the substrate , and positioning each of said plurality of fibers in substantial alignment .