Abstract: Planar resonant tunneling sensor devices and methods for using the same are provided. The subject devices include first and second electrodes present on a surface of a planar substrate and separated from each other by a nanodimensioned gap. The devices also include a first member for holding a sample, and a second member for moving the first member and planar resonant tunneling electrode relative to each other. Also provided are methods of fabricating such a device and methods of using such a device for improved detection and characterization of a sample.

Abstract: A microfluidic system including a chip sensor and an SPR optical detector. The chip sensor may be made a non-transparent material, such as polyimide or silicon, allowing non-visible radiation produced by the SPR optical detector to pass through and interact with a surface plasmon generating layer on the chip sensor.

Abstract: There present invention is directed to a system and method which a liquid dispensing head is positioned above the contact area of the device under test (DUT). Liquid droplets are dispensed form the head and these droplets are charged with an electrical charge so that when the drops form a pool of liquid on the contact area the pool is charged thereby causing current to flow in the DUT. In this manner, for example, the transistor at each pixel of an OLED can be tested. In one embodiment an inkjet head is used to dispense fluid that is subsequently charged. In still another embodiment, the inkjet head is piezoelectric.

Abstract: The invention provides an evanescent wave sensor containing a cleavably bound capture agent. Upon exposure of the sensor to a suitable stimulus the capture agent and any analyte bound thereto are released from the sensor. The released analyte may be transferred into a mass spectrometer apparatus and investigated therein.

Abstract: A rapid diagnostic test system or process uses a gated measurement of the fluorescent light from quantum dots after shutting off an illuminating light source. A delay between shutting off the illumination and measuring allows background fluorescence from substances other than the quantum dots to drop significantly when compared to the intensity of the fluorescence from the quantum dots. Using quantum dots permits high measurement repetition rates and good extinction of background fluorescence.

Abstract: An electrospray device for a mass spectrometry system is described. The electrospray device comprises a body portion and a tip portion extending from the body portion. The tip portion comprises a polymeric material. The electrospray device also comprises a hydrophobic coating substantially selectively covering the tip portion. The hydrophobic coating is electrically nonconductive.

Abstract: A read-write assay system includes providing an assay device; and writing assay device information to the assay device for subsequent reading of the assay device information from the assay device; or performing an assay with the assay device and subsequent writing of the assay related information to the assay device or reading of assay related information from the assay device.

Abstract: An electrospray device for a mass spectrometry system is described. The electrospray device comprises a body portion and a tip portion extending from the body portion. The tip portion comprises a polymeric material. The electrospray device also comprises a hydrophobic coating substantially selectively covering the tip portion.

Abstract: An electrospray device for a mass spectrometry system is described. The electrospray device comprises a body portion and a tip portion extending from the body portion. The tip portion comprises a polymeric material. The electrospray device also comprises a hydrophobic coating substantially selectively covering the tip portion. The hydrophobic coating is electrically nonconductive.

Abstract: A dispense system stores a scented material or materials and is provided with an electrical interface that is compatible with a hand-held device. The dispense system can be connected to the hand-held device and driven with the help of the hand-held device to dispense the scented material. The dispense system can be configured to store different scented materials that can be mixed to create different scents. Logic within the hand-held device supports the mixing and dispensing of the scented materials.

Abstract: A multiplexed optical detector includes a set of optical sensors coupled to a multiplexer that maps subsets of the optical sensors to at least one multiplexed output provided by the multiplexer. The subsets of optical sensors are configurable according to addresses that are provided to the multiplexer.

Abstract: Reduction of dust contamination in optical mice. Optical elements are made electrically conductive, reducing static charges which attract dust particles. Plastic optical elements may be made conductive through the use of conductive polymers. Optical elements in plastic or glass may be made conductive by coating them with materials which are conductive but pass wavelengths of interest. Multi-layer coatings may be used. Indium tin oxide is a coating of interest, and coatings of metals such as gold, silver, tin, or zinc, and their compounds, may be used.

Abstract: A hybrid hard/soft microfluidic device is assembled by covalently bonding bard and soft materials. The channels are formed in a polyimide material, which is to be sandwiched between an integrated circuit and a glass cover. The glass covered is treated with an amino siloxane to form free amine groups. The polyimide is treated to form free carboxyl groups. The glass and polyimide are bonded through amidation. The remaining polyimide surface is treated with polyamines to form free amine groups, while silicon dioxide surfaces of the integrated surface are treated with isocyanate siloxane to form free isocyanate groups. The integrated circuit is then covalently bonded to the polyimide surface. The latter surface can be a thermoplastic coating that offers some compliance, more intimate contact, and more thorough bonding.

Abstract: The invention provides an evanescent wave sensor containing a porous nanostructure layer. In general, a subject sensor contains a transparent substrate and a porous nanostructure layer bound to a surface of the substrate. Also provided by he invention are methods of using the subject sensors, e.g., in analyte detection, as well as kits and systems that include the subject sensors.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and sensors for detecting target biological molecules. Biosensors feature photoactivatable charge separation moieties capable of generating electron-hole pairs upon photoinduction. Photoinduced charge carriers participate in redox reactions that are detectable, for example, by optical, chemical, or electronic means.

Abstract: An incident signal illuminates an SPR sensor over a wavelength range. Intensity of a reflected signal from the SPR sensor is detected with wavelength discrimination imposed on the incident signal or the reflected signal. The wavelength discrimination is imposed at a predesignated tuning rate within the wavelength range. The detected intensity is then sampled at a sampling rate and an intensity profile associated with the SPR sensor is established from the sampling with a wavelength resolution determined by the tuning rate and the sampling rate.

Abstract: Biosensors, methods, and systems for determining the presence of biomolecules using surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) are provided.

Abstract: A rapid diagnostic test system or process uses a single-use module that includes a photodetector. The photodetector generates an electrical signal representing a measurement of light from a test region on a medium such as a lateral-flow strip for a binding assay. For light measurement, the test medium can contain a labeling substance that attaches a persistent fluorescent structure such as a quantum dot to a target analyte, so that the photodetector measures fluorescent light. Multiple photodetectors and an optical system that separates or filters light of wavelengths corresponding to different fluorescent labeling substances allow simultaneous testing for multiple analytes. The single-use module can include a display or LED for visual indication of test results, or the electrical signal can be output for processing in a reusable module.

Abstract: A rapid diagnostic test system or process uses a single-use module that includes a photodetector. The photodetector generates an electrical signal representing a measurement of light from a test region on a medium such as a lateral-flow strip for a binding assay. For light measurement, the test medium can contain a labeling substance that attaches a persistent fluorescent structure such as a quantum dot to a target analyte, so that the photodetector measures fluorescent light. Multiple photodetectors and an optical system that separates or filters light of wavelengths corresponding to different fluorescent labeling substances allow simultaneous testing for multiple analytes. The single-use module can include a display or LED for visual indication of test results, or the electrical signal can be output for processing in a reusable module.

Abstract: Optical phase detection includes generating a first lightwave having a first polarization and a second lightwave having a polarization that is offset from the first polarization, and imposing a relative delay between the first and second lightwaves. The relative delay causes a frequency offset between the lightwaves as wavelength is tuned over a designated wavelength range. Directing the first and second lightwaves to a target provides a third lightwave and a fourth lightwave. A polarization component of the third lightwave and a polarization component of the fourth lightwave are detected to provide a detected signal at the frequency offset. The optical phase detection then includes extracting a phase difference, induced by the target, between the polarization components of the third and the fourth lightwaves.