Abstract: In one aspect, structures are provided comprising: a substrate having a first surface and a second surface; and a polymeric layer disposed on the first surface of the substrate, the polymeric layer comprising a polymer and a plurality of light-emitting nanocrystals; the polymeric layer having a patterned surface, the patterned surface having a patterned first region having a first plurality of recesses and a patterned second region having a second plurality of recesses, wherein the plurality of recesses in each region has a first periodicity in a first direction, and a second periodicity in a second direction which intersects the first direction, wherein the first periodicity of the first region is different from the first periodicity of the second region.

Abstract: In one aspect, structures are provided comprising: a substrate having a first surface and a second surface; and a polymeric layer disposed on the first surface of the substrate, the polymeric layer comprising a polymer and a plurality of light-emitting nanocrystals; the polymeric layer having a patterned surface, the patterned surface having a patterned first region having a first plurality of recesses and a patterned second region having a second plurality of recesses, wherein the plurality of recesses in each region has a first periodicity in a first direction, and a second periodicity in a second direction which intersects the first direction, wherein the first periodicity of the first region is different from the first periodicity of the second region.

Abstract: A mobile computing device that includes an image sensor may be used to detect the result of a biomolecular assay. The biomolecular assay may be performed in an optical assay medium that provides an optical output in response to light from a light source, with the optical output indicating result. A wavelength-dispersive element may be used to disperse the optical output into spatially-separated wavelength components. The mobile computing device may be positioned relative to the wavelength-dispersive element such that different wavelength components are received at different locations on the image sensor. With the mobile computing device positioned in this way, the image sensor may be used to obtain one or more images that include the separated wavelength components of the optical output. A wavelength spectrum of the optical output may be determined from the one or more images, and the result may be determined from the wavelength spectrum.

Abstract: A mobile computing device that includes an image sensor may be used to detect the result of a biomolecular assay. The biomolecular assay may be performed in an optical assay medium that provides an optical output in response to light from a light source, with the optical output indicating result. A wavelength-dispersive element may be used to disperse the optical output into spatially-separated wavelength components. The mobile computing device may be positioned relative to the wavelength-dispersive element such that different wavelength components are received at different locations on the image sensor. With the mobile computing device positioned in this way, the image sensor may be used to obtain one or more images that include the separated wavelength components of the optical output. A wavelength spectrum of the optical output may be determined from the one or more images, and the result may be determined from the wavelength spectrum.

Abstract: Tubing such as clear plastic disposable tubing or glass tubing includes a photonic sensor formed in or placed within the tubing. The photonic sensors can take the form of photonic crystal sensors, distributed feedback laser sensors, and surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) sensors, including photonic crystal enhanced SERS sensors. Detection arrangements for the sensors are described. The invention has many applications including tubing used in hospital care (e.g., urinary catheters, intravenous fluid delivery tubing, tubing used in dialysis, e.g. heparin lines or blood tubing sets), food manufacturing, pharmaceutical manufacturing, water quality monitoring, and environmental monitoring.

Abstract: A mobile computing device that includes an image sensor may be used to detect the result of a biomolecular assay. The biomolecular assay may be performed in an optical assay medium that provides an optical output in response to light from a light source, with the optical output indicating result. A wavelength-dispersive element may be used to disperse the optical output into spatially-separated wavelength components. The mobile computing device may be positioned relative to the wavelength-dispersive element such that different wavelength components are received at different locations on the image sensor. With the mobile computing device positioned in this way, the image sensor may be used to obtain one or more images that include the separated wavelength components of the optical output. A wavelength spectrum of the optical output may be determined from the one or more images, and the result may be determined from the wavelength spectrum.

Abstract: A silicon-based photonic crystal includes a silicon substrate, a first dielectric with a grating structure formed therein, and a second dielectric with a higher index of refraction that covers at least a portion of the grating structure. The first dielectric can be formed on the silicon substrate, or a Fabry-Perot optical cavity can be formed between the silicon substrate and the first dielectric. An instrument can excite a fluorophore coupled to the photonic crystal by focusing collimated incident light that includes the fluorophore's excitation wavelength to a focal line on the surface of the photonic crystal such that the focal line is substantially parallel to the grating direction and can detect fluorescence radiation emitted by the fluorophore in response to the incident light. To provide for fluorescence enhancement, the excitation wavelength and/or emission wavelength of the fluorophore can couple to an optical resonance of the photonic crystal.

Abstract: A mobile computing device that includes an image sensor may be used to detect the result of a biomolecular assay. The biomolecular assay may be performed in an optical assay medium that provides an optical output in response to light from a light source, with the optical output indicating result. A wavelength-dispersive element may be used to disperse the optical output into spatially-separated wavelength components. The mobile computing device may be positioned relative to the wavelength-dispersive element such that different wavelength components are received at different locations on the image sensor. With the mobile computing device positioned in this way, the image sensor may be used to obtain one or more images that include the separated wavelength components of the optical output. A wavelength spectrum of the optical output may be determined from the one or more images, and the result may be determined from the wavelength spectrum.

Abstract: Highly sensitive Surface Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS) sensors are described in the form of a optical resonator and a metal nanostructure deposited on surface of the optical resonator. In one embodiment the optical resonator is in the form of a photonic crystal, but other optical resonators are contemplated. Examples are described in which the resonant near-fields of a large-area replica molded photonic crystal efficiently couples light from a laser to dielectric-metal “post-cap” nanostructures deposited on the photonic crystal surface by a glancing angle evaporation technique, achieving a high SERS enhancement factor. Other constructions are also contemplated a metal nanostructure formed on a dielectric support deposited on the photonic crystal, including a metallic film deposited over close-packed surface of nanospheres, arrays of metallic nanotriangles, metallic nanorods, metallic nanohelices, arrays of metallic nanospheres, and roughened metal surfaces.

Abstract: Described herein are spectrometers comprising one or more wavelength-selective filters, such as guided mode resonance filters. Some of the spectrometers described herein are configured for obtaining absorbance spectra in a discrete fashion by measuring absorbances of a sample at multiple discrete wavelengths or wavelength bands. In another aspect, methods are also provided for obtaining spectra, images and chemical maps of samples in a discrete fashion.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided for detecting biomolecular interactions. The use of labels is not required and the methods can be performed in a high-throughput manner. The invention also provides optical devices useful as narrow band filters.

Abstract: Highly sensitive Surface Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS) sensors are described in the form of a optical resonator and a metal nanostructure deposited on surface of the optical resonator. In one embodiment the optical resonator is in the form of a photonic crystal, but other optical resonators are contemplated. Examples are described in which the resonant near-fields of a large-area replica molded photonic crystal efficiently couples light from a laser to dielectric-metal “post-cap” nanostructures deposited on the photonic crystal surface by a glancing angle evaporation technique, achieving a high SERS enhancement factor. Other constructions are also contemplated a metal nanostructure formed on a dielectric support deposited on the photonic crystal, including a metallic film deposited over close-packed surface of nanospheres, arrays of metallic nanotriangles, metallic nanorods, metallic nanohelices, arrays of metallic nanospheres, and roughened metal surfaces.

Abstract: Highly sensitive Surface Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS) sensors are described in the form of a optical resonator and a metal nanostructure deposited on surface of the optical resonator. In one embodiment the optical resonator is in the form of a photonic crystal, but other optical resonators are contemplated. Examples are described in which the resonant near-fields of a large-area replica molded photonic crystal efficiently couples light from a laser to dielectric-metal “post-cap” nanostructures deposited on the photonic crystal surface by a glancing angle evaporation technique, achieving a high SERS enhancement factor. Other constructions are also contemplated a metal nanostructure formed on a dielectric support deposited on the photonic crystal, including a metallic film deposited over close-packed surface of nanospheres, arrays of metallic nanotriangles, metallic nanorods, metallic nanohelices, arrays of metallic nanospheres, and roughened metal surfaces.

Abstract: Wave energy conversion to produce electricity uses wave-engaging articulated, forward and after barges connected to a center inertial barge. A damper plate attached to the central barge minimizes heaving to increase stability. The barges use composite materials, steel or other materials that can withstand the impact and wear caused by a corrosive weather environment. A movable ballast weight in each barge adjusts the mass moment of inertia, and changes the natural pitching frequency. Electrical energy is generated from the motions of the barges and the movement of the movable ballast weights being converted by linear induction motor/generators and/or Pelton Wheel hydraulic systems connected to electrical generators. A dynamic computer control system controls the energy generating system to keep the forward/after barges and the movable ballast moving in phase with the wave excitation force. During dangerous wave action, the system is submerged and then re-surfaced when the waves have subsided.

Abstract: A photonic crystal substrate exhibiting resonant enhancement of multiple fluorophores has been demonstrated. The device, which can be fabricated uniformly from plastic materials over a ˜3×5 in2 surface area by nanoreplica molding, features a 1-D periodic grating structure which utilizes two distinct resonant modes to enhance electric field stimulation of a first dye excited by a first laser (e.g., ?=632.8 nm laser exciting cyanine-5) and a second dye excited by a second laser (e.g., ?=532 nm laser exciting cyanine-3). The first and second lasers could be replaced by a single variable wavelength (tunable) laser. Resonant coupling of the laser excitation to the photonic crystal surface is obtained for each wavelength at a distinct incident angle ?. The photonic crystal is capable of amplifying the output of any fluorescent dye with an excitation wavelength in a given wavelength range (e.g., the range 532 nm<?<660 nm) by selection of an appropriate incident angle.

Abstract: Tubing such as clear plastic disposable tubing or glass tubing includes a photonic sensor formed in or placed within the tubing. The photonic sensors can take the form of photonic crystal sensors, distributed feedback laser sensors, and surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) sensors, including photonic crystal enhanced SERS sensors. Detection arrangements for the sensors are described. The invention has many applications including tubing used in hospital care (e.g., urinary catheters, intravenous fluid delivery tubing, tubing used in dialysis, e.g. heparin lines or blood tubing sets), food manufacturing, pharmaceutical manufacturing, water quality monitoring, and environmental monitoring.

Abstract: Tubing such as clear plastic disposable tubing or glass tubing includes a photonic sensor formed in or placed within the tubing. The photonic sensors can take the form of photonic crystal sensors, distributed feedback laser sensors, and surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) sensors, including photonic crystal enhanced SERS sensors. Detection arrangements for the sensors are described. The invention has many applications including tubing used in hospital care (e.g., urinary catheters, intravenous fluid delivery tubing, tubing used in dialysis, e.g. heparin lines or blood tubing sets), food manufacturing, pharmaceutical manufacturing, water quality monitoring, and environmental monitoring.

Abstract: Methods are provided to detect changes in cells without the use of detection labels.

Abstract: A label-free biosensor detection arrangement incorporating an external cavity laser (ECL) includes a tunable lasing element (e.g. an antireflection coated laser diode or semiconductor optical amplifier) and a narrow bandwidth resonant reflectance filter as the wavelength-selective element for the tunable lasing element. A sample is deposited on the surface of the resonant reflectance filter containing a biological material. The wavelength emitted by the external cavity laser is continuously tunable by binding interactions between the biological material and the resonant reflectance filter or adsorption of the biological material present in the sample on resonant reflectance filter. The narrow bandwidth resonance reflectance filter can take the form of photonic crystal (PC), a Bragg stack, or a Brag fiber reflection filter.

Abstract: A biosensor based upon a vertically emitting, distributed feedback (DFB) laser is disclosed. In one configuration, the DFB laser comprises a replica-molded, one- or two-dimensional dielectric grating coated with a laser dye-doped-polymer as the gain medium. A sensor is also described in which the grating layer and the active layer are combined into a single layer. DFB lasers using an inorganic or organic thin film with alternating regions of high and low index of refraction as the active layer are also disclosed. The sensor actively generates its own narrowband high intensity light output without stringent requirements for coupling alignment, thereby resulting in a simple, robust illumination and detection configuration.