Abstract: The present invention relates to a cost effective and single step process for rapid manufacturing of paper-based SERS substrates (100), wherein chitosan is used for direct in situ reduction of the metallic precursor solutions for production of metallic nanoparticles on the substrates. The crucial step in the process involves the incubation of the paper-based substrates under humidifying conditions at an elevated temperature for a predetermined duration. The metal nanoparticles thus produced are homogenously deposited over the paper-based substrate making the paper-based substrate suitable for SERS analysis. The paper-based substrate thus developed is cost-effective, flexible, easy to load and is demonstrated to have exceptional sensitivity with detection limits of up to 1 pM.

Abstract: Radio frequency (RF) reflectors for radio frequency identification (RFID) systems are disclosed. An example RF reflector includes a four-sided housing having an open end, an end, two sides, a top, and an open bottom. The RF reflector is configured to not be electrically coupled to an RFID tag reader. The open end is configured to admit RF signals emitted by the RFID tag reader into the RF reflector, and has a dimension greater than a quarter wavelength of the RF signals. The end, the two sides, and the top include a material that at least partially reflects the RF signals, and the end, the two sides, and the top are electrically connected. Another example RF reflector includes a five-sided housing having two ends, two sides, a top, and an open bottom. One of the ends includes an opening to admit RF signals into the RF reflector.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a kit and a novel method of extraction of a progesterone metabolite from feces/dung sample. The present invention also discloses a paper-based microfluidic device for detection of the progesterone metabolite for early determination of pregnancy in cattle and buffaloes. The invention further discloses antibodies developed against said metabolite, method of extraction, methods for fabricating the paper-based microfluidic devices and methods for inexpensive, rapid and non-invasive determination of pregnancy in early stages in cattle and buffaloes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a cost effective and single step process for rapid manufacturing of paper-based SERS substrates (100), wherein chitosan is used for direct in situ reduction of the metallic precursor solutions for production of metallic nanoparticles on the substrates. The crucial step in the process involves the incubation of the paper-based substrates under humidifying conditions at an elevated temperature for a predetermined duration. The metal nanoparticles thus produced are homogenously deposited over the paper-based substrate making the paper-based substrate suitable for SERS analysis. The paper-based substrate thus developed is cost-effective, flexible, easy to load and is demonstrated to have exceptional sensitivity with detection limits of up to 1 pM.

Abstract: In an embodiment, the present invention is a barcode and RFID tag reader that includes a head portion housing an imaging assembly, the imaging assembly configured to capture images of an environment appearing with a FOV extending through a window; a base portion housing an RFID tag reader assembly; and an intermediate portion extending between the head portion and the base portion. Preferably, the RFID tag reader assembly includes a chassis having a face directed towards the FOV and an antenna assembly at least partially contoured around the face of the chassis where the antenna assembly includes: a monopole flexible antenna having a first monopole antenna element having a first half and a second half, the first half and the second half being substantially symmetrical about a line of symmetry; and a dipole flexible antenna extending at least partially over at least a portion of the first monopole antenna element.

Abstract: An RFID echo cancellation assembly includes: a circulator defining a transmission path from a transmit module to an antenna module, and a reception path from the antenna module to a receive module; a combiner on the reception path between the circulator and the receive module; a variable reflector for applying a cancellation signal to the combiner; a controller for setting an operational parameter at the variable reflector according to an attribute of a transmitted signal from the transmit module; and a coupler defining a segment of the transmission path between the transmit module and the circulator, and a cancellation path between the variable reflector and the combiner. The coupler couples a portion of the transmitted signal to the variable reflector, whereupon the variable reflector generates the cancellation signal based on the operational parameter, for transmission to the combiner via the cancellation signal path.

Abstract: A scanning device is disclosed for enabling radio frequency identification (RFID) sessions based on imager based object detection. The scanning device includes an optical imaging assembly having an optical field of view (FOV) and an effective reading range for capturing image(s) corresponding to product code(s). The scanning device includes an RFID reader having an RFID antenna configured to emit a radiation pattern extending over at least the optical FOV and the effective reading range of the optical image assembly for reading RFID tag(s). During a scanning session, initiated when a product enters the effective reading range and optical FOV, or the radiation pattern, a processor activates the optical imaging assembly, activates the RFID reader, and terminates the scanning session upon the occurrence of either: the optical imaging assembly scanning a product code associated with the product, or the RFID reader reading an RFID tag associated with the product.

Abstract: A method for calibrating an RFID reader having a transmit port and a receive port includes connecting a cable between the transmit port and the receive port, transmitting a known signal from the transmit port to the receive port through the cable, and computing a cable loss associated with the cable based on the difference between the known signal and the signal detected at the receive port. The power level of the transmit port may then be adjusted in accordance with the cable loss and a known antenna gain.

Abstract: Described are a method, a device, and a system managing power usage. The method includes operating a communication device in a first state, transmitting a forward signal to at least one target, switching from the first state to a second state, and receiving a reverse signal from the at least one target while operating in the second state. The device, operating in at least a first state and a second state, includes a control circuit switching the device from the first state to the second state, an amplifier operating at a current level coordinated with one of the first state and the second state, and an antenna transmitting a forward signal to at least one target while the device operates in the first state and receiving a reverse signal from the at least one target while the device operates in the second state.