Abstract: A sensor suitable for detecting specific analytes, a method for manufacturing the sensor, and a method for using the sensor in a diagnostic procedure provided. In an embodiment, the sensor device includes a substrate, a dielectric layer disposed on the substrate, and a probe layer disposed on the dielectric layer. The probe layer is configured to react with an analyte. The reaction may include: binding with the analyte, undergoing a change in a chemical property of the probe layer, or undergoing a change in a structural property of the probe layer. In examples, an attribute of the dielectric layer is configured to identify the device during a process that determines whether the probe layer has reacted with the analyte.

Abstract: Methods, devices, and systems for forming atomically precise structures are provided. In some embodiments, the methods, devices, and systems of the present disclosure utilize a scanning tunneling microscope (STM) system to receive a sample having a surface to be patterned. The system positions a conductive tip over a pixel region of the surface. While the conductive tip remains laterally fixed relative to the surface, the system applies a bias voltage between the conductive tip and the surface such that a current between the conductive tip and the surface removes at least one atom from the pixel region. The system stops applying the voltage and current when it senses the removal of the at least one atom. The system then verifies that the at least one atom has been removed from the pixel region.

Abstract: Implantable nerve transducers are provided herein, along with methods of fabricated such implantable nerve transducers. An exemplary implantable nerve transducer includes a plurality of semiconductor structures protruding from an exterior surface provided by a substrate and a plurality of conductors extending from the exterior surface of the substrate to an interior surface of the substrate and within a plurality of openings in the substrate. Each conductor is electrically coupled to one of the semiconductor structures. The exemplary implantable nerve transducer further includes one or more electronic components electrically coupled to the semiconductor structures by the conductors and a cap bonded to the substrate to provide a sealed chamber. The sealed chamber contains the one or more electronic components.

Abstract: Methods, devices, and systems for controlling a scanning tunneling microscope system are provided. In some embodiments, the methods, devices, and systems of the present disclosure utilize a control system included in or added to a scanning tunneling microscope (STM) to receive data characterizing a tunneling current between a tip of the scanning tunneling microscope system and a sample, to estimate, in real-time, a work function associated with the scanning tunneling microscope system, and to adjust, by a control system, a position of the tip based on an estimated work function. Associated systems are described herein.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods for neuromodulation are provided. For example, a neuromodulation system is disclosed that comprises an implantable neuromodulation module having a photodiode configured to generate electrical current in response to receiving light from an optical fiber; an optical transceiver; and at least one electrode configured to provide electrical stimulation to a nerve utilizing the electrical current generated by the photodiode. As another example, a method of neuromodulation is disclosed that comprises receiving light at a photodiode of a neuromodulation module and generating electrical current in response to receiving the light; and providing, via at least one electrode of the module positioned within the patient, electrical stimulation to a nerve of the patient utilizing the electrical current generated by the photodiode.

Abstract: Methods, devices, and systems for controlling a scanning tunneling microscope system are provided. In some embodiments, the methods, devices, and systems of the present disclosure utilize a control system included in or added to a scanning tunneling microscope (STM) to receive data characterizing a tunneling current between a tip of the scanning tunneling microscope system and a sample, to estimate, in real-time, a work function associated with the scanning tunneling microscope system, and to adjust, by a control system, a position of the tip based on an estimated work function. Associated systems are described herein.

Abstract: A multi-electrode array with individually isolated electrodes each configurable for a target-containing carrier and a method for fabricating the array are disclosed. In an exemplary embodiment, the array includes a substrate; and a plurality of electrodes disposed on the substrate. Each electrode of the plurality of electrodes has a conductive tip-end and an insulated remainder. A first electrode of the plurality of electrodes has a first configuration selected to bring a conductive tip end of the first electrode in proximity to a first target structure, and a second electrode of the plurality of electrodes has a second configuration selected to bring a conductive tip end of the second electrode in proximity to a second target structure. The first configuration and the second configuration are different. A first contact of the plurality of contacts may be electrically coupled to the first electrode through the substrate.

Abstract: A multi-electrode array with individually isolated electrodes each configurable for a target-containing carrier and a method for fabricating the array are disclosed. In an exemplary embodiment, the array includes a substrate; and a plurality of electrodes disposed on the substrate. Each electrode of the plurality of electrodes has a conductive tip-end and an insulated remainder. A first electrode of the plurality of electrodes has a first configuration selected to bring a conductive tip end of the first electrode in proximity to a first target structure, and a second electrode of the plurality of electrodes has a second configuration selected to bring a conductive tip end of the second electrode in proximity to a second target structure. The first configuration and the second configuration are different. A first contact of the plurality of contacts may be electrically coupled to the first electrode through the substrate.

Abstract: Methods, devices, and systems for forming atomically precise structures are provided. In some embodiments, the methods, devices, and systems of the present disclosure utilize a scanning tunneling microscope (STM) to remove portions of a monolayer of atoms or molecules from a crystalline surface to form atomically precise structures. The STM is utilized to both image the sample and remove the desired portions of the monolayer of atoms or molecules. In some instances, the lattice structure of the crystalline surface is utilized as a coordinate system by a control system of the STM to facilitate the automated removal of specific atoms or molecules from the crystalline surface.

Abstract: Methods, devices, and systems for forming atomically precise structures are provided. In some embodiments, the methods, devices, and systems of the present disclosure utilize a scanning tunneling microscope (STM) to remove portions of a monolayer of atoms or molecules from a crystalline surface to form atomically precise structures. The STM is utilized to both image the sample and remove the desired portions of the monolayer of atoms or molecules. In some instances, the lattice structure of the crystalline surface is utilized as a coordinate system by a control system of the STM to facilitate the automated removal of specific atoms or molecules from the crystalline surface.

Abstract: A patterned layer is formed by removing nanoscale passivating particle from a first plurality of nanoscale structural particles or by adding nanoscale passivating particles to the first plurality of nanoscale structural particles. Each of a second plurality of nanoscale structural particles is deposited on each of corresponding ones of the first plurality of nanoscale structural particles that is not passivated by one of the plurality of nanoscale passivating particles.

Abstract: A method is described for building a mechanosynthesis tool intended to be used for the molecularly precise fabrication of physical structures—as for example, diamond structures. An exemplar tool consists of a bulk-synthesized dimer-capped triadamantane tooltip molecule which is initially attached to a deposition surface in tip-down orientation, whereupon CVD or equivalent bulk diamond deposition processes are used to grow a large crystalline handle structure around the tooltip molecule. The large handle with its attached tooltip can then be mechanically separated from the deposition surface, yielding an integral finished tool that can subsequently be used to perform diamond mechanosynthesis in vacuo. The present disclosure is the first description of a complete tool for positional diamond mechanosynthesis, along with its method of manufacture.

Abstract: An apparatus including an actuator configured for controllable deflection, and also including a piezoresistive element integral to the actuator and having first and second piezoresistive portions and a plurality of contacts. One of the plurality of contacts is configured to pass a received feedback signal through the first and second piezoresistive portions. Detection of the actuator deflection is indicated by comparison of the feedback signal as detected via at least one of the plurality of contacts that are interposed by at least one of the first and second piezoresistive portions.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the present invention is directed to a data structure for representing a spatial region. The data structure comprises a hierarchical arrangement of nodes associated with a plurality of refinement levels, wherein each node of the hierarchical arrangement of nodes is a regular spatial subdivision of the spatial region or another node that is associated with a preceding refinement level. The hierarchical arrangement of nodes forms a directed acyclic graph. The hierarchical arrangement of nodes comprises at least two nodes that have respective edges that are traversed to a common child node such that the hierarchical arrangement of nodes does not comprise a repeated pattern from any two nodes of a common refinement level of the data structure.

Abstract: A patterned layer is formed by removing nanoscale passivating particle from a first plurality of nanoscale structural particles or by adding nanoscale passivating particles to the first plurality of nanoscale structural particles. Each of a second plurality of nanoscale structural particles is deposited on each of corresponding ones of the first plurality of nanoscale structural particles that is not passivated by one of the plurality of nanoscale passivating particles.

Abstract: A patterned layer is formed by removing nanoscale passivating particle from a first plurality of nanoscale structural particles or by adding nanoscale passivating particles to the first plurality of nanoscale structural particles. Each of a second plurality of nanoscale structural particles is deposited on each of corresponding ones of the first plurality of nanoscale structural particles that is not passivated by one of the plurality of nanoscale passivating particles.

Abstract: An apparatus including a positioner that is transitional from a first positioner orientation towards a second positioner orientation and that comprises a bistable member having a first substantially stable state corresponding to the first positioner orientation and a second substantially stable state corresponding to the second positioner orientation. The apparatus also includes a coupler that is transitional from a first coupler orientation towards a second coupler orientation in response to transition of the bistable-member.

Abstract: A method for performing an operation on a hierarchical data tree comprising retrieving data from an anchor node in the tree and a plurality of neighboring nodes each potentially affected by the operation. A cache is queried for a key representing the anchor node and the plurality of neighboring nodes based on the retrieved data. If the query finds a match, the retrieved data is replaced with cached data. If the query does not find a match, the operation is performed on the retrieved data to generate post-operation data, the retrieved data is replaced with the post-operation data and the post-operation data is stored in the cache based on the key.

Abstract: A method of extracting isosurface data from hierarchical node data, including providing hierarchical node data representing an object, the hierarchical node data including a lowest hierarchy level having a plurality of leaf nodes and a plurality of higher hierarchy levels each having a plurality of non-leaf nodes each encompassing ones of the plurality of leaf nodes. The method also includes determining a plurality of leaf node splats each corresponding to one of the plurality of leaf nodes that includes a portion of an isosurface, wherein each of the plurality of leaf node splats is based on scalar data corresponding to at least one of the plurality of leaf nodes. A plurality of non-leaf node splats each corresponding to one of the plurality of non-leaf nodes that includes a portion of the isosurface is also determined, wherein each of the plurality of non-leaf node splats is based on a plurality of splats each corresponding to a lower hierarchical node.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed which enable post-fabrication reduction of minimum feature size spacing of microcomponents. A method for producing an assembly of microcomponents is provided, in which at least two microcomponents are fabricated having a separation space therebetween. At least one of the microcomponents includes an extension part that is operable to reduce the separation space. Such an extension part may include an extension member that is movably extendable away from its associated microcomponent to reduce the separation space between its associated microcomponent and another microcomponent. The extension part may be latched at a desired position by a latching mechanism. The extension part may be implemented such that the extension member eliminates the separation space, thereby resulting in such extension member engaging another microcomponent. Such engagement may be achieved without requiring power to be applied to the microcomponents.