Abstract: An etchant is described that includes an N-heterocyclic carbene and optionally an appropriate solvent. The etchant was effective at etching a metallic surface having, for example, a metal oxide and/or metal, in both solution phase and vapour-phase. The etchant has been shown to effectively etch oxidized copper and tungsten.

Abstract: A light sheet imaging system, such as a light sheet microscope, comprises an illumination arrangement for generating a light sheet for three-photon excitation of a fluorescent sample, and a fluorescence collection arrangement for collecting fluorescence generated in the sample as a result of three-photon excitation by the light sheet. The light sheet may be a non-diffractive, propagation-invariant light sheet. The light sheet may be formed from and/or comprise a Bessel beam. A method of light sheet imaging comprises using a light sheet for three-photon excitation of a fluorescent sample, and collecting fluorescence generated in the sample as a result of three-photon excitation of the sample by the light sheet. Such a method may be used for light sheet microscopy.

Abstract: A system for measuring cellular forces exerted on a surface comprising: a deformable sensor that has a deformable surface adapted to deform on application of a cellular force, and an optical detector for optically detecting deformation of the surface.

Abstract: A holographic security or identification device (10) comprises an object, or a flexible substrate (12) configured to be conformable to a desired, curved shape; and a plurality of structures (14) formed on or in the object to have a desired curved configuration, or formed in or associated with the substrate and arranged to adopt a desired curved configuration when the substrate is conformed to a desired shape, wherein the plurality of structures (14) are configured to receive light (20) of a selected at least one wavelength or range of wavelengths and to produce, using the received light, a desired holographic image (22) for security or identification purposes when in the desired configuration.

Abstract: An apparatus for analysing a liquid sample comprising particles, comprises: a first chamber (12) and a second chamber (14), and an optical path between the first chamber (12) and the second chamber (14), wherein: the first chamber (12) is a sample chamber comprising: a sample space for receiving the sample; a light input (24) for input of light into the first chamber (12) for interaction with the sample; and an exit aperture (26) arranged for scattered and/or reflected light to pass from the first chamber via the optical path to the second chamber (14); the second chamber (14) is a detection chamber comprising: an input aperture (28) for receiving light from the optical path; and a detector (25) for detecting, or a detector aperture for receiving, light to be detected; wherein the first chamber (12) and the second chamber (14) provide at least one light integrating volume, and wherein the first chamber (12) is configured such that in operation the liquid sample is present in the first chamber (12) and isolate

Abstract: A security or identification device comprises a membrane laser structure configured to be optically pumped. The membrane laser structure comprises a flexible emission layer comprising a gain material; and one or more structures formed in or associated with the flexible emission layer and configured to provide optical feedback in the emission layer to produce a laser light output having at least one property representing an identifier.

Abstract: Disclosed are metal organic framework materials (MOFs), comprising an extra-framework NO releasing compound within the internal pores and/or channels of the MOF, the NO-releasing compounds and their preparation and uses. The MOFs and NO-releasing compounds are capable of releasing NO on application of an external stimulus and may provide materials with multiple modes of antibacterial and/or drug action.

Abstract: A Raman system for use in performing Raman spectroscopy on a sample, comprises an optical source, a spectrometer, and an optical system for coupling light from the optical source to a sample and for coupling light from the sample to the spectrometer and a further spectrometer. A Raman system for use in performing Raman spectroscopy on a sample, comprises an optical source, a spectrometer and an optical system for coupling light from the optical source and a further optical source to a sample and for coupling light from the sample to the spectrometer. The optical system may be configured for coupling light from the optical source and the further optical source to the sample and for coupling light from the sample to the spectrometer and the further spectrometer. The Raman system may be portable and/or may be configured to be transported and/or carried and/or may be handheld.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of producing electrode materials for solid oxide cells which comprises applying an electric potential to a metal oxide which has a perovskite crystal structure. The resultant electrode catalyst exhibits excellent electrochemical performance. The invention extends to the electrode catalyst itself, and to electrodes and solid oxide cells comprising the electrode catalyst.

Abstract: A method for use in imaging an object through a scattering medium comprises illuminating the object sequentially point-by-point through the scattering medium with incident electromagnetic radiation propagating along an illumination direction so that the incident electromagnetic radiation interacts with the object to cause the object to generate and emit electromagnetic radiation, wherein the incident electromagnetic radiation is formed by spectrally dispersing initial electromagnetic radiation in a direction transverse to the illumination direction so as to form spectrally dispersed electromagnetic radiation and by spatially focusing the spectrally dispersed electromagnetic radiation through the scattering medium to the object.

Abstract: In an aspect, the present invention provides an optical encryption terminal for generating and distributing a cryptographic key signal in a cryptography key distribution system having at least two optical encryption terminals. The optical encryption terminal comprises an electronic processing unit and the optical encryption terminal is configured to selectively receive optical input signals generated by a source of electromagnetic radiation and optical input signals generated by a further optical encryption terminal, and to selectively output first optical output signals to a detection element and second optical output signals to the further optical encryption terminal, wherein the first optical output signals are based on the optical input signals generated by the further optical encryption terminal and transformed in accordance with an optical encryption pattern provided at the optical encryption terminal.

Abstract: A method for use in light-sheet imaging of an object through a scattering medium comprises illuminating the object through the scattering medium with incident electromagnetic radiation propagating along an illumination axis so that the incident electromagnetic radiation interacts with the object to cause the object to generate and emit electromagnetic radiation. The incident electromagnetic radiation is formed by spectrally dispersing initial electromagnetic radiation in a direction transverse to the illumination axis so as to form spectrally dispersed electromagnetic radiation and by spatially focusing the spectrally dispersed electromagnetic radiation through the scattering medium to the object. The method comprises forming an image of at least a portion of the emitted electromagnetic radiation propagating along a detection axis, wherein the detection axis and the illumination axis are non-collinear, and sensing the formed image.

Abstract: A method and system are disclosed for use in imaging a sample. The method comprises illuminating a sample through a scattering medium, or illuminating a sub-surface region of the sample through a scattering surface region of the sample, with a plurality of spatial patterns of incident electromagnetic radiation, wherein each spatial pattern of incident electromagnetic radiation interacts with the sample, or the sub-surface region of the sample, to generate electromagnetic radiation in the sample or the sub-surface region of the sample.

Abstract: An organic thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF) compound selected from the group consisting of compounds according to formula (Ia) and formula (Ib): wherein: Het is a heteroaryl group containing at least one heteroatom; n(D) denotes n donor groups D bonding to the heteroaryl group Het; n is at least 1; and -a and -b denotes bonding to another group.

Abstract: The invention relates to a composite oxide comprising CaO stabilised by Ca3Al2O6 (C3A), wherein the composite is in the form of particles. The mixed oxide composite is useful as a catalyst in the transesterification of triglycerides, e.g. in the production of biodiesel. Calcium leaching is more hindered in CaO—Ca3Al2O6 (2Ca/Al) than in CaO—Al2O3.

Abstract: The invention relates to a catalyst useful in the steam reforming of hydrocarbons and oxygenated hydrocarbons. The invention provides a method for preparing a catalyst comprising heating a spinel of formula ANixFe(1-X)CrO4 where A is Mn or Mg and x is from 0 to 0.75 under reducing conditions at a temperature of from 800 to 1500° C., and catalysts obtainable by said method.

Abstract: An apparatus (150) comprises a first detection chamber (130) for receiving microorganisms and configured to allow detection of the microorganisms via detection of scattered light from the first detection chamber (130); a medium (120) configured to permit passage of microorganisms from a sample (110) through the medium (120) into the first detection chamber (130); and at least one second detection chamber (140) configured to allow detection of the microorganisms via detection of scattered light from the at least one second detection chamber (140).

Abstract: A security or identification device comprises a membrane laser structure configured to be optically pumped. The membrane laser structure comprises a flexible emission layer comprising a gain material; and one or more structures formed in or associated with the flexible emission layer and configured to provide optical feedback in the emission layer to produce a laser light output having at least one property representing an identifier.

Abstract: A method of processing a lignocellulosic feedstock includes heating the lignocellulosic feedstock in a solvent mixture comprising an acid and at least 80% by volume of n-butanol to produce a reaction mixture including a butylated lignin. A butylated lignin product wherein at least 85% of the ?-O-4 linkages include n-butyl ether groups can be prepared. Cellulose and butylated hemicellulose products can also be obtained.

Abstract: A distributed feedback laser having a conjugated dendrimer as the active lasing component, and a method for patterning conjugated dendrimers.