Abstract: Nanometer-scaled up-converting fluoride phosphor particles and processes of making them are disclosed. In the process, an aqueous solution consisting of soluble salts of rare-earth metal ions at a molar ratio of (yttrium, lanthanum or gadolinium): ytterbium:(erbium, holmium, terbium or thulium)=(70-90):(0-29):(0.001-15) is mixed a rare-earth metal chelator and a soluble fluoride salt to form precipitates, which are then annealed at an elevated temperature to produce nanometer-scaled up-converting fluoride phosphor particles. The particle size is between 35 nm and 200 nm, and can be controlled by the amount of the metal chelator added to the solution. The nanometer-sized particle is applicable to many biological assays.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to the field of virus detection. In particular, the invention provides chips, probes, primers, kits and methods for amplifying and detecting SARS-CoV nucleotide sequence. The clinical and other uses of the present chips, probes, primers, kits and methods are also contemplated.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to the field of microarray technology. In particular, the invention provides an integrated microarray device, which device comprises a substrate comprising a plurality of distinct microlocations and a plurality of microarray chips, wherein the number of said microlocations equals to or is more than the number of said microarray chips. In preferred embodiments, the devices also comprises a temperature controller at some or all of the microlocations. The use of the integrated microarray devices for detecting interactions among various moieties in various fields, such as clinical diagnostics, drug discovery, environmental monitoring and forensic analysis, etc., are further provided.