Abstract: The present invention provides a method of preparing metal or metal oxide particles on a substrate by forming a reaction mixture of a metal or metal oxide precursor and a substrate, and heating the reaction mixture at reduced pressure, such that metal or metal oxide particles are formed on the substrate.

Abstract: Probes, and systems and methods for optically scanning a conical volume in front of a probe, for use with an imaging modality, such as Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT). A probe includes an optical fiber having a proximal end and a distal end and defining an axis, with the proximal end of the optical fiber being proximate a light source, and the distal end having a first angled surface. A refractive lens element is positioned proximate the distal end of the optical fiber. The lens element and the fiber end are both configured to separately rotate about the axis so as to image a conical scan volume when light is provided by the source. Reflected light from a sample under investigation is collected by the fiber and analyzed by an imaging system. Such probes may be very compact, e.g., having a diameter 1 mm or less, and are advantageous for use in minimally invasive surgical procedures.

Abstract: An optofluidic microscope device is disclosed. The device includes a fluid channel having a surface and an object such as a bacterium or virus may flow through the fluid channel. Light imaging elements in the bottom of the fluid channel may be used to image the object.