Abstract: A microlens array includes a bottom electrode chip, a sidewall electrode chip, and a top glass chip configured to cooperate to define an array of cavities, each one of the array of cavities containing a fluid. The fluid is a mixture of a polar liquid and a non-polar liquid, in contact with one of the array of sidewalls at a contact angle. The bottom electrode chip includes a plurality of electrical contacts. The sidewall electrode chip includes an array of sidewalls, each including an electrode layer and an insulator layer. When a voltage is applied across the fluid contained a cavity via electrical contacts and the electrode layer of the cavity, the contact angle of the fluid with the sidewall is modified, in embodiments without affecting the contact angle of fluid contained in other ones of the plurality of array of cavities.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates optical imaging devices and methods useful in biological and medical imaging applications. In one embodiment, an optical imaging device includes a flexible lightguide having a first end and a second end, the output of the source of pulsed infrared radiation being optically coupled to the first end of the flexible lightguide; a lens assembly attached to and optically coupled to the second end of the flexible lightguide, the lens assembly comprising a variable-focus lens element, the a variable-focus lens element having a tunable focal length; and a photodetector coupled to the flexible lightguide to detect radiation propagating from the second end toward the first end of the flexible lightguide. The optical imaging devices and methods can be used in both confocal and multi-photon techniques.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to methods and systems useful in imaging applications, especially biological imaging applications, and applications in the metrology, atmospheric, scientific and medical fields. In one aspect, the disclosure provides a method of imaging an object, including illuminating the object with incident radiation through one or more adaptive optical elements; receiving transmitted radiation from the object at a photodetector to provide a base image; and performing the following steps one or more times: adjusting the one or more adaptive optical elements, the adjustment including modifying an optical transfer function of the one or more adaptive optical elements, and receiving transmitted radiation from the object at the photodetector to provide an adjusted image; wherein the adjustment and receiving steps are performed until the adjusted image has substantially reduced aberrations compared to the base image.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates optical imaging devices and methods useful in biological and medical imaging applications. In one embodiment, an optical imaging device includes a flexible lightguide having a first end and a second end, the output of the source of pulsed infrared radiation being optically coupled to the first end of the flexible lightguide; a lens assembly attached to and optically coupled to the second end of the flexible lightguide, the lens assembly comprising a variable-focus lens element, the a variable-focus lens element having a tunable focal length; and a photodetector coupled to the flexible lightguide to detect radiation propagating from the second end toward the first end of the flexible lightguide. The optical imaging devices and methods can be used in both confocal and multi-photon techniques.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to methods and systems useful in imaging applications, especially biological imaging applications, and applications in the metrology, atmospheric, scientific and medical fields. In one aspect, the disclosure provides a method of imaging an object, including illuminating the object with incident radiation through one or more adaptive optical elements; receiving transmitted radiation from the object at a photodetector to provide a base image; and performing the following steps one or more times: adjusting the one or more adaptive optical elements, the adjustment including modifying an optical transfer function of the one or more adaptive optical elements, and receiving transmitted radiation from the object at the photodetector to provide an adjusted image; wherein the adjustment and receiving steps are performed until the adjusted image has substantially reduced aberrations compared to the base image.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates optical imaging devices and methods useful in biological and medical imaging applications. In one embodiment, an optical imaging device includes a flexible lightguide having a first end and a second end, the output of the source of pulsed infrared radiation being optically coupled to the first end of the flexible lightguide; a lens assembly attached to and optically coupled to the second end of the flexible lightguide, the lens assembly comprising a variable-focus lens element, the a variable-focus lens element having a tunable focal length; and a photodetector coupled to the flexible lightguide to detect radiation propagating from the second end toward the first end of the flexible lightguide. The optical imaging devices and methods can be used in both confocal and multi-photon techniques.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the unexpected discovery of novel methods of preparing nanodevices and/or microdevices with predetermined patterns. In one aspect, the methods of the invention allow for engineering structures and films with continuous thickness equal to or less than 50 nm.

Abstract: A tunable optical electrowetting element having a liquid-liquid interface shape controlled by an applied voltage. Circuitry for applying a voltage to the electrowetting element is configured to apply a shaped voltage signal comprising a first fast-rising signal combined with a second fast-rising signal. The second signal is selected to damp oscillations in the liquid-liquid interface caused by the first signal.

Abstract: Electrowetting-actuated optical shutters based on total internal reflection or beam steering. An electrowetting cell contains a conducting liquid and a non-conducting liquid configured to form a liquid-liquid interface extending to the inner walls of the cell. A beam of light is directed to the liquid-liquid interface at an angle near the total internal reflection angle of the interface. Voltage changes the shape of the liquid-liquid interface, without separating it from the inner walls of the cell. Thus, when depending on the voltage applied, the beam is either transmitted in part or substantially totally internal reflected.

Abstract: Methods, apparatuses, and systems are disclosed for flexible thermal ground planes. A flexible thermal ground plane may include a support member. The flexible thermal ground plane may include an evaporator region or multiple evaporator regions configured to couple with the support member. The flexible thermal ground plane may include a condenser region or multiple condenser regions configured to couple with the support member. The evaporator and condenser region may include a microwicking structure. The evaporator and condenser region may include a nanowicking structure coupled with the micro-wicking structure, where the nanowicking structure includes nanorods. The evaporator and condenser region may include a nanomesh coupled with the nanorods and/or the microwicking structure. Some embodiments may include a micromesh coupled with the nanorods and/or the microwicking structure.

Abstract: A system for high resolution multiphoton excitation microscopy is described herein. In one embodiment, the system may include an electrowetting on dielectric (EWOD) prism optically coupled to an excitation source, the EWOD prism adapted or configured to: receive a light beam from the excitation source, and project the received light beam onto a sample plane based on a tunable transmission angle of the EWOD prism, and a fluorescence imaging microscope adapted or configured to: receive a fluorescence signal from the sample plane based on the projected light beam, and relay the fluorescence signal from the sample plane to a set of detectors.

Abstract: Wide-angle beam steering using two or more variable lenses to form a small-angle beam steering element, along with a numerical aperture converter and a wide-angle lens. The small-angle beam steering element might comprise either one- or two-dimensional beam steering with tunable liquid lenses.

Abstract: Wide-angle beam steering using two or more variable lenses to form a small-angle beam steering element, along with a numerical aperture converter and a wide-angle lens. The small-angle beam steering element might comprise either one- or two-dimensional beam steering with tunable liquid lenses.

Abstract: Methods and devices for real-time detection of fouling chemistry are described herein. In one aspect, a method of detecting and characterizing fouling of a membrane used for separation in a fluid-based system can include illuminating the membrane with one or more light sources, collecting Raman spectroscopy data from the membrane, and based on the Raman data, determining at least one selected from the group consisting of: presence or absence of membrane fouling, severity of membrane fouling, and composition of the membrane fouling, where the Raman spectroscopy is selected from the group consisting of Coherent Anti-Stokes Raman Scattering (CARS), Stimulated Raman Scattering (SRS), and spontaneous Raman Scattering.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates optical imaging devices and methods useful in biological and medical imaging applications. In one embodiment, an optical imaging device includes a flexible lightguide having a first end and a second end, the output of the source of pulsed infrared radiation being optically coupled to the first end of the flexible lightguide; a lens assembly attached to and optically coupled to the second end of the flexible lightguide, the lens assembly comprising a variable-focus lens element, the a variable-focus lens element having a tunable focal length; and a photodetector coupled to the flexible lightguide to detect radiation propagating from the second end toward the first end of the flexible lightguide. The optical imaging devices and methods can be used in both confocal and multi-photon techniques.

Abstract: The invention includes a method of promoting interfacial mechanical bonding of two or more components through the use of suspended and/or freestanding structures fabricated using an atom-scale assembly process on at least a portion of the surfaces of such components.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the unexpected discovery of novel methods of preparing nanodevices and/or microdevices with predetermined patterns. In one aspect, the methods of the invention allow for engineering structures and films with continuous thickness equal to or less than 50 nm.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to methods and systems useful in imaging applications, especially biological imaging applications, and applications in the metrology, atmospheric, scientific and medical fields. In one aspect, the disclosure provides a method of imaging an object, including illuminating the object with incident radiation through one or more adaptive optical elements; receiving transmitted radiation from the object at a photodetector to provide a base image; and performing the following steps one or more times: adjusting the one or more adaptive optical elements, the adjustment including modifying an optical transfer function of the one or more adaptive optical elements, and receiving transmitted radiation from the object at the photodetector to provide an adjusted image; wherein the adjustment and receiving steps are performed until the adjusted image has substantially reduced aberrations compared to the base image.

Abstract: Methods, apparatuses, and systems are disclosed for flexible thermal ground planes. A flexible thermal ground plane may include a support member. The flexible thermal ground plane may include an evaporator region or multiple evaporator regions configured to couple with the support member. The flexible thermal ground plane may include a condenser region or multiple condenser regions configured to couple with the support member. The evaporator and condenser region may include a microwicking structure. The evaporator and condenser region may include a nanowicking structure coupled with the micro-wicking structure, where the nanowicking structure includes nanorods. The evaporator and condenser region may include a nanomesh coupled with the nanorods and/or the microwicking structure. Some embodiments may include a micromesh coupled with the nanorods and/or the microwicking structure.

Abstract: Electrowetting-actuated optical shutters based on total internal reflection or beam steering. An electrowetting cell contains a conducting liquid and a non-conducting liquid configured to form a liquid-liquid interface extending to the inner walls of the cell. A beam of light is directed to the liquid-liquid interface at an angle near the total internal reflection angle of the interface. Voltage changes the shape of the liquid-liquid interface, without separating it from the inner walls of the cell. Thus, when depending on the voltage applied, the beam is either transmitted in part or substantially totally internal reflected.