Abstract: The present disclosure relates to compositions, apparatus and methods for generating one or more scaffolds, including: mixing a hydrogel material and/or an extracellular matrix (ECM) protein in an aqueous solvent to generate an aqueous process solution; and cryoelectrospinning the aqueous process solution onto a plurality of conductive probes extending from a conductive surface of a collector plate disposed within a process chamber under conditions sufficient to generate one or more scaffolds configured to mimic a preselected soft tissue decellularized extracellular matrix. Scaffold compositions are also provided having preselected or tuned characteristics. The scaffolds provide a promising stromal cell delivery vehicle for the remediation of fibrosis.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to compositions, apparatus and methods for generating one or more scaffolds, including: mixing a hydrogel material and/or an extracellular matrix (ECM) protein in an aqueous solvent to generate an aqueous process solution; and cryoelectrospinning the aqueous process solution onto a plurality of conductive probes extending from a conductive surface of a collector plate disposed within a process chamber under conditions sufficient to generate one or more scaffolds configured to mimic a preselected soft tissue decellularized extracellular matrix. Scaffold compositions are also provided having preselected or tuned characteristics.

Abstract: A microfluidic intravital window includes an intravital imaging window adapted for implantation adjacent target tissue of a live animal, and a microfluidic fluid source and delivery system physically integrated into the window for controlled delivery of fluids to target tissue via the window. The microfluidic fluid source and delivery system is self-contained and completely located within the intravital imaging window, and includes at least one preloaded fluid reservoir, at least one fluid port in fluidic communication with both the at least one preloaded fluid reservoir and the target tissue, and at least one light activated fluid flow control device situated between the at least one preloaded fluid reservoir and at least one fluid port, to facilitate simultaneous in vivo viewing and remotely controlled fluid delivery to the target tissue.

Abstract: A microfluidic intravital window includes an intravital imaging window adapted for implantation adjacent target tissue of a live animal, and a microfluidic fluid source and delivery system physically integrated into the window for controlled delivery of fluids to target tissue via the window. The microfluidic fluid source and delivery system is self-contained and completely located within the intravital imaging window, and includes at least one preloaded fluid reservoir, at least one fluid port in fluidic communication with both the at least one preloaded fluid reservoir and the target tissue, and at least one light activated fluid flow control device situated between the at least one preloaded fluid reservoir and at least one fluid port, to facilitate simultaneous in vivo viewing and remotely controlled fluid delivery to the target tissue.

Abstract: A self-balancing optical position sensitive detector includes a pair of spaced apart, parallel, longitudinally extending doped regions on a first surface on a front side of a substrate 16 of opposite doping type with contact pads on the front side at respective ends of a first doped region of the pair. A voltage source applies a potential difference between the contact pads of the first doped region. On the front side, a contact pad of the second doped region of the pair provides an analog output signal representative of a longitudinal position of a center of gravity of an incident light pattern along the doped regions without external circuitry processing the output signal to obtain a readout of the longitudinal position. A resistive line may directly overly, abut and be in contact with at least a portion of the first doped region. A conductive line may directly overly, abut and be in contact with at least a portion of the second doped region.

Abstract: A self-balancing optical position sensitive detector includes a pair of spaced apart, parallel, longitudinally extending doped regions on a first surface on a front side of a substrate 16 of opposite doping type with contact pads on the front side at respective ends of a first doped region of the pair. A voltage source applies a potential difference between the contact pads of the first doped region. On the front side, a contact pad of the second doped region of the pair provides an analog output signal representative of a longitudinal position of a center of gravity of an incident light pattern along the doped regions without external circuitry processing the output signal to obtain a readout of the longitudinal position. A resistive line may directly overly, abut and be in contact with at least a portion of the first doped region. A conductive line may directly overly, abut and be in contact with at least a portion of the second doped region.

Abstract: The invention provides a cell support device comprising a nanofiber structure disposed on a concave surface of a substrate. and the curvature of the substrate in combination with the nanotopography provided by the nanofiber support provides the necessary environmental cues that promote organization, growth, differentiation and morphogenesis of secretory epithelial cells, such as salivary gland epithelial cells. The nanotopography of the device is influenced by features of the nanofiber structure including nanofiber diameter, pore size, biochemical modification and curvature.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of isolating motile cells from an animal tissue, the method comprising implanting in the animal tissue a cell trap comprising a chamber with an inlet for ingress of motile cells and a porous matrix located in the chamber comprising a chemotactic factor, for a time sufficient for the motile cells to migrate into the cell trap; removing the implanted cell trap; and retrieving the motile cells from the cell trap.

Abstract: A cell collecting device having a housing with an inlet for receiving cells, a cell attractant cavity have a cell attractant, a cell collection channel running from the inlet to the cell attractant cavity, and a plurality of electrodes positioned to detect the presence of cells is disclosed. The cell attractant cavity may include a porous medium, such as, a hydrogel, containing the cell attractant, such as, epidermal growth factor. The channel may include a plurality of restrictions and expansions to assist in maintaining the porous medium while permitting the passage of attractant and cells. The device may be implanted into a patient for an extended period of time, and then removed and examined. A method for collecting cells, an implantable attractant dispersing device, and a porous medium for controlled releasing of a compound are also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a biosensor comprising living cells that express a chemosensor, or receptor, on their surface. When grown on a microarray comprising electrodes, the cells can be induced, by binding of a ligand to the receptor, to secrete a molecule. This secretion event is detected with millisecond temporal resolution via electrochemical oxidation of the secreted molecule on the electrode which is voltage-clamped slightly above its redox potential. The current so generated is indicative of the amount of the ligand bound to the receptor.

Abstract: A method for forming a photovoltaic cell which includes forming a nanostructured layer in a semiconductor material having a plurality of pores opening onto a surface, the plurality of pores having a depth greater than about 1 micron and a diameter between about 5 nanometers and about 1,200 nanometers, and disposing an organic charge-transfer material in the pores of the nanostructured layer. A first electrode is attached to the semiconductor material, and a second electrode is attached to the organic charge-transfer material. The semiconductor material has a thickness between about 5 microns and about 700 microns. Desirably, the nanostructured layer has a porosity of less than the porosity corresponding to the percolation threshold, and the organic charge-transfer material extends at least about 100 nm from the surface of the nanostructured layer.

Abstract: A silicon-on-insulator (SOI) substrate is anodically bonded to a glass substrate in a MEMS structure with or without electrically bypassing the insulator layer by electrically comprising the silicon layers. The insulator layer serves as an etch stop to create a well-defined, thin silicon membrane for a sensor. A second glass substrate is anodically bonded to the other side of the SOI substrate, and debonding of the existing anodic bond prevented by eliminating any potential drop across the existing bonded surface.

Abstract: A method for forming a photovoltaic cell which includes forming a nanostructured layer in a semiconductor material having a plurality of pores opening onto a surface, the plurality of pores having a depth greater than about 1 micron and a diameter between about 5 nanometers and about 1,200 nanometers, and disposing an organic charge-transfer material in the pores of the nanostructured layer. A first electrode is attached to the semiconductor material, and a second electrode is attached to the organic charge-transfer material. The semiconductor material has a thickness between about 5 microns and about 700 microns. Desirably, the nanostructured layer has a porosity of less than the porosity corresponding to the percolation threshold, and the organic charge-transfer material extends at least about 100 nm from the surface of the nanostructured layer.

Abstract: A silicon-on-insulator (SOI) substrate is anodically bonded to a glass substrate in a MEMS structure with or without electrically bypassing the insulator layer by electrically comprising the silicon layers. The insulator layer serves as an etch stop to create a well-defined, thin silicon membrane for a sensor. A second glass substrate is anodically bonded to the other side of the SOI substrate, and debonding of the existing anodic bond prevented by eliminating any potential drop across the existing bonded surface.

Abstract: The invention relates to a biosensor comprising living cells that express a chemosensor, or receptor, on their surface. When grown on a microarray comprising electrodes, the cells can be induced, by binding of a ligand to the receptor, to secrete a molecule. This secretion event is detected with millisecond temporal resolution via electrochemical oxidation of the secreted molecule on the electrode which is voltage-clamped slightly above its redox potential. The current so generated is indicative of the amount of the ligand bound to the receptor.

Abstract: An optical switch for redirecting an optical signal includes a plurality of spaced-apart mirrors disposed in an array for detecting and reflecting one or more optical signals. The mirrors include a reflective member and a sensor. Desirably, the optical signal is detected by the sensor and used for triggering drive means for orientating the mirrors in the array for redirecting the optical signal.

Abstract: An optical switch for redirecting an optical signal includes a plurality of spaced-apart mirrors disposed in an array for detecting and reflecting one or more optical signals. The mirrors include a reflective member and a sensor. Desirably, the optical signal is detected by the sensor and used for triggering drive means for orientating the mirrors in the array for redirecting the optical signal.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improvement in a wavelength division multiplexer and/or a dense wavelength division multiplexer (WDM/DWDM) by incorporating an electronically reconfigurable diffraction grating. The introduction of the electronically reconfigurable diffraction grating, which is typically fabricated using MEMS (microelectromechanical systems) technology, improves the compact design, durability, and dynamic functionality of the WDM/DWDM system.

Abstract: An improved optical pressure sensor determines the pressure of the fluid to be monitored by the deflection of a diaphragm in the pressure chamber of the sensor which has an inlet from the measured vessel. The deflection of the diaphragm is determined by monitoring the interference of diode light reflected from the diaphragm and a silicon grating structure superimposed over the diaphragm, at critical positions. Intensity detectors are placed at critical positions such as the specific orders of the diffraction grating to measure the interference intensity of the reflected light. The interferometric accuracy with which the pressure measurement is made with the present invention far exceeds that obtained with optical pressure sensors described in the prior art.

Abstract: An improved tunable diode laser is capable of fast digital line selection over a broad wavelength spectrum, and uses no moving parts. A focusing element, such as a mirror or a lens, used in combination with a micromirror array serves as the retroreflector in a typical Littman-Metcalf laser cavity. This configuration provides arbitrary, simultaneous, and/or sequential line selection capability over a very broad wavelength range. The use of an individually-controllable micromirror array eliminates the high precision mechanical motion of a grating element and improves the overall durability and ruggedness of the device. The present invention can be integrated into any diode laser and has significant application in spectroscopy.