Abstract: A haptic stimulator includes a multilayer sheet with a piezoelectric or electroactive polymer layer adapted to mechanically deform upon application of voltage, the multilayer sheet secured to a substrate, and a source of electrical stimulation coupled to drive electrodes on the polymer layer with an AC signal to vibrate the polymer layer. In particular embodiments, the polymer contains polyvinylidene fluoride, and electrodes are patterned to control local electric fields. Another haptic stimulator has first and second electrodes with an air gap and an insulating sheet between first and second electrodes, with an AC voltage driver connecting to the electrodes. In a method of providing haptic stimulation to skin an alternating current supply drives first and second electrodes, the electrodes disposed upon either a piezoelectric or electroactive polymer sheet, vibrating the polymer layer by driving the electrodes; and coupling vibrations of the polymer layer to the sensate skin.

Abstract: A method of making a plasmon-resonance biosensor includes conjugating precious metal nanorods with form factor at least 1.5 with a biological probe material. Microfluidic chambers of volume under 0.025 microliter are formed over a substrate, and an aqueous suspension of the conjugated nanorods is injected into the chambers. The nanorods are organized in rows and aligned in long dimension along the rows. The biosensor is configured to be read by obtaining an optical absorption spectrum upon exposure to the analyte. The biosensor includes precious metal nanorods organized in rows with long dimension approximately parallel to the rows. The nanorods are conjugated with biological probes capable of binding to an analyte, the probes may be an aptamer, an antibody, a protein-nucleic acid (PNA), a complimentary DNA, or an enzyme having a binding site.

Abstract: A method of making a plasmon-resonance biosensor includes conjugating precious metal nanorods with form factor at least 1.5 with a biological probe material. Microfluidic chambers of volume under 0.025 microliter are formed over a substrate, and an aqueous suspension of the conjugated nanorods is injected into the chambers. The nanorods are organized in rows and aligned in long dimension along the rows. The biosensor is configured to be read by obtaining an optical absorption spectrum upon exposure to the analyte. The biosensor includes precious metal nanorods organized in rows with long dimension approximately parallel to the rows. The nanorods are conjugated with biological probes capable of binding to an analyte, the probes may be an aptamer, an antibody, a protein-nucleic acid (PNA), a complimentary DNA, or an enzyme having a binding site.

Abstract: A piezoelectric energy harvester has a layered structure comprising a first electrode, a polymeric piezoelectric material, and a second electrode, the layered structure coupled to receive mechanical stress from the environment, and the first and second electrode electrically coupled to a power converter. The power converter is adapted to charge an energy storage device selected from a capacitor and a battery. The method of harvesting energy from the environment includes providing a piezoelectric device comprising a layer of a polymeric piezoelectric material disposed between a first and a second electrode; coupling mechanical stress derived from an environment to the piezoelectric device; and coupling electrical energy from the piezoelectric device.

Abstract: In an embodiment, the present disclosure pertains to a method of detecting an analyte from vesicles in a sample. In an additional embodiment, the present disclosure pertains to an analyte detection platform. In a further embodiment, the present disclosure pertains to a sensor. In another embodiment, the present disclosure pertains to a method of detecting an analyte from a sample. In an additional embodiment, the present disclosure pertains to a method of lysing vesicles. In a further embodiment, the present disclosure pertains to a vesicle lysis platform.

Abstract: Opioids can be detected using a test system with ZnO pillars arranged in an array on a silicon wafer. Silver particles are on a top surface and/or side surface of the ZnO pillars. A sample fluid is applied to the test system. A concentration of an opioid compound in the sample fluid is determined using Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy of the test system. The sample fluid can be blood or a fluid isolated from blood.

Abstract: In an embodiment, the present disclosure pertains to a method of making magnetic nanoparticles through the utilization of a microfluidic reactor. In some embodiments, the microfluidic reactor includes a first inlet, a second inlet, and an outlet. In some embodiments, the method includes applying a magnetic nanoparticle precursor solution into the first inlet of the microfluidic reactor through a first flow rate and applying a reducing agent into the second inlet of the microfluidic reactor through a second flow rate. In some embodiments, the magnetic nanoparticles are produced in the microfluidic reactor and collected from the outlet of the microfluidic reactor. In an additional embodiment, the present disclosure pertains to a composition including a plurality of magnetic nanoparticles. In a further embodiment, the present disclosure pertains to a microfluidic reactor.

Abstract: An electrostatic actuator has a first polymeric layer formed with an arch, a first electrode of metal deposited upon the first polymeric layer; a second polymeric layer formed flat; a second electrode of metal deposited upon the second polymeric layer; and a dielectric disposed on the second electrode. The second polymeric layer is mechanically coupled to the first polymeric layer at a first and second end of the arch. In an embodiment, the actuator has a pair of legs attached to the arch of the first polymeric layer to form a crawler unit. In another embodiment a steerable robot has a first crawling unit with its second polymeric layer mechanically coupled to the second polymeric layer of a second crawling unit.

Abstract: A method of making a plasmon-resonance biosensor includes conjugating precious metal nanorods with form factor at least 1.5 with a biological probe material. Microfluidic chambers of volume under 0.025 microliter are formed over a substrate, and an aqueous suspension of the conjugated nanorods is injected into the chambers. The nanorods are organized in rows and aligned in long dimension along the rows. The biosensor is configured to be read by obtaining an optical absorption spectrum upon exposure to the analyte. The biosensor includes precious metal nanorods organized in rows with long dimension approximately parallel to the rows. The nanorods are conjugated with biological probes capable of binding to an analyte, the probes may be an aptamer, an antibody, a protein-nucleic acid (PNA), a complimentary DNA, or an enzyme having a binding site.

Abstract: A test device for indole concentrations in headspace gasses of bacterial cultures has a porous substrate imprinted with a wax barrier surrounding a test spot impregnated with p-dimethylaminocinnamaldehyde (DMACA). In embodiments, the test spot lies within a printed bar code and is configured to alter a reading of the bar code when the test spot darkens. The test device may optionally include a second test spot impregnated with Bromthymol Blue, Cobinamide, p-dimethylaminobenzaldehyde, or Chromotropic acid. The device is used by inoculating a sample into a culture; incubating the culture; inserting the test device into airspace of the culture, and observing the test spot for a color change indicative of indole presence.

Abstract: A haptic stimulator includes a multilayer sheet with a piezoelectric or electroactive polymer layer adapted to mechanically deform upon application of voltage, the multilayer sheet secured to a substrate, and a source of electrical stimulation coupled to drive electrodes on the polymer layer with an AC signal to vibrate the polymer layer. In particular embodiments, the polymer contains polyvinylidene fluoride, and electrodes are patterned to control local electric fields. Another haptic stimulator has first and second electrodes with an air gap and an insulating sheet between first and second electrodes, with an AC voltage driver connecting to the electrodes. In a method of providing haptic stimulation to skin an alternating current supply drives first and second electrodes, the electrodes disposed upon either a piezoelectric or electroactive polymer sheet, vibrating the polymer layer by driving the electrodes; and coupling vibrations of the polymer layer to the sensate skin.

Abstract: A haptic stimulator includes a multilayer sheet with a piezoelectric or electroactive polymer layer adapted to mechanically deform upon application of voltage, the multilayer sheet secured to a substrate, and a source of electrical stimulation coupled to drive electrodes on the polymer layer with an AC signal to vibrate the polymer layer. In particular embodiments, the polymer contains polyvinylidene fluoride, and electrodes are patterned to control local electric fields. Another haptic stimulator has first and second electrodes with an air gap and an insulating sheet between first and second electrodes, with an AC voltage driver connecting to the electrodes. In a method of providing haptic stimulation to skin an alternating current supply drives first and second electrodes, the electrodes disposed upon either a piezoelectric or electroactive polymer sheet, vibrating the polymer layer by driving the electrodes; and coupling vibrations of the polymer layer to the sensate skin.

Abstract: A piezoelectric energy harvester has a layered structure comprising a first electrode, a polymeric piezoelectric material, and a second electrode, the layered structure coupled to receive mechanical stress from the environment, and the first and second electrode electrically coupled to a power converter. The power converter is adapted to charge an energy storage device selected from a capacitor and a battery. The method of harvesting energy from the environment includes providing a piezoelectric device comprising a layer of a polymeric piezoelectric material disposed between a first and a second electrode; coupling mechanical stress derived from an environment to the piezoelectric device; and coupling electrical energy from the piezoelectric device.

Abstract: A method for producing a porous piezoelectric polymer film with a dense surface, includes depositing a polymer solution onto a substrate to form a polymer film including a solvent; evaporating a portion of the solvent to form the dense surface away from the substrate; forming water droplets in interior of the polymer film; and substantially evaporating the water droplets and remaining solvent to form porous interior. A piezoelectric composition includes a piezoelectric material with a porous interior and a dense surface for interfacing with an electrode. A piezoelectric device includes a first electrode; a porous piezoelectric film with a dense surface and porous interior, wherein the porous piezoelectric film is deposited on the first electrode and the dense surface is away from the first electrode; and a second electrode deposited on the dense surface for, together with the first electrode, providing an electrical interface for the porous piezoelectric film.

Abstract: A haptic stimulator includes a multilayer sheet with a piezoelectric or electroactive polymer layer adapted to mechanically deform upon application of voltage, the multilayer sheet secured to a substrate, and a source of electrical stimulation coupled to drive electrodes on the polymer layer with an AC signal to vibrate the polymer layer. In particular embodiments, the polymer contains polyvinylidene fluoride, and electrodes are patterned to control local electric fields. Another haptic stimulator has first and second electrodes with an air gap and an insulating sheet between first and second electrodes, with an AC voltage driver connecting to the electrodes. In a method of providing haptic stimulation to skin an alternating current supply drives first and second electrodes, the electrodes disposed upon either a piezoelectric or electroactive polymer sheet, vibrating the polymer layer by driving the electrodes; and coupling vibrations of the polymer layer to the sensate skin.

Abstract: A method for producing a porous piezoelectric polymer film with a dense surface, includes depositing a polymer solution onto a substrate to form a polymer film including a solvent; evaporating a portion of the solvent to form the dense surface away from the substrate; forming water droplets in interior of the polymer film; and substantially evaporating the water droplets and remaining solvent to form porous interior. A piezoelectric composition includes a piezoelectric material with a porous interior and a dense surface for interfacing with an electrode. A piezoelectric device includes a first electrode; a porous piezoelectric film with a dense surface and porous interior, wherein the porous piezoelectric film is deposited on the first electrode and the dense surface is away from the first electrode; and a second electrode deposited on the dense surface for, together with the first electrode, providing an electrical interface for the porous piezoelectric film.