Abstract: Embodiments of apparatus, compositions, methods, systems, and articles of manufacture are disclosed relating to the optimization and production of biological components for use in biohybrid photosensitive devices and systems and other applications. In some embodiments, biologically derived components are disclosed having properties and/or characteristics that are optimized for applications of interest relative to corresponding components derived from naturally occurring organisms. In some embodiments, properties and/or characteristics of biological components are optimized by subjecting organisms and/or populations thereof to forced adaptation.

Abstract: Apparatus, compositions, methods, and articles of manufacture are disclosed relating to the design and production of biological components and/or their incorporation in devices and systems, including biohybrid photosensitive devices and systems. In some embodiments, biological components include light antenna structures that collect light and emit Stokes-shifted light to a photoactive non-biological component. In some embodiments, the characteristics of biological components are engineered via force-adaptation of an organism or adaptive system. In some embodiments, biological components are modified by removing reaction centers or other structure not contributing to desired performance.

Abstract: Apparatus, compositions, methods, and articles of manufacture are disclosed relating to the design and production of biological components and/or their incorporation in devices and systems, including biohybrid photosensitive devices and systems. In some embodiments, biological components include light antenna structures that collect light and emit Stokes-shifted light to a photoactive non-biological component. In some embodiments, the characteristics of biological components are engineered via force-adaptation of an organism or adaptive system. In some embodiments, biological components are modified by removing reaction centers or other structure not contributing to desired performance.

Abstract: An improved method for the design and development of high performance hybrid devices having biological and nonbiological components. The biological component is used in hybrid constructs that may be nanostructures, given the small size of the biological parts. In one specific embodiment, chlorosomes of Chloroflexus aurantiacus (C. aurantiacus) enhance performance of a silicon photovoltaic cell. C. aurantiacus, strain J-10-f1, has the A.T.C.C. designation number 29366, having been deposited in July, 1976. Its chlorosomes are harvested and positioned in light communicating relation to a photoactive semiconductor. The chlorosomes react to light of a first wavelength by emitting light at a second wavelength to which the semiconductor electrically responds.

Abstract: An improved method for the design and development of high performance biologically-derived components for use in hybrid devices. The biologically-derived component is used in hybrid constructs that may be nanostructures, given the small size of the biological parts. Force adaptation is used to bring an organism from which the biologically-derived component is developed to provide such a component meeting a desired measure of performance. In one specific embodiment, chlorosomes of Chloroflexus aurantiacus (C. aurantiacus) enhance performance of a silicon photovoltaic cell. C. aurantiacus, strain J-10-f1, has the A.T.C.C. designation number 29366, having been deposited in July, 1976. Its chlorosomes are harvested and positioned in light communicating relation to a photoactive semiconductor.

Abstract: An improved method for the design and development of high performance hybrid devices having biologically-derived and nonbiological components and the hybrid devices so-designed and developed. A desired transfer function is determined for the biologically-derived component or components. The organism from which the biologically-derived component is derived is subjected to various environmental variables as it is grown. Organisms providing biologically-derived components having the desired transfer function are identified. The biologically-derived component is thereafter developed from organisms force adapted to cause the biologically-derived component transfer function to reach a goal or an acceptable measure. The biological component is used in hybrid constructs that may be nanostructures, given the small size of the biological parts. In one specific embodiment, force-adapted chlorosomes of Chloroflexus aurantiacus (C. aurantiacus) enhance performance of a silicon photovoltaic cell. The bacteria, C.

Abstract: An improved method for the design and development of high performance hybrid devices having biologically-derived and nonbiological components and the hybrid devices so-designed and developed. A desired figure of merit is determined for the biologically-derived component or components. The organism from which the biologically-derived component is derived is subjected to various environmental variables as it is grown. Organisms providing biologically-derived components having the desired figure of merit are identified. The biologically-derived component is thereafter developed from organisms force adapted to cause the biologically-derived component figure of merit to reach a goal or an acceptable measure. The biological component is used in hybrid constructs that may be nanostructures, given the small size of the biological parts. In one specific embodiment, force-adapted chlorosomes of Chloroflexus aurantiacus (C. aurantiacus) enhance performance of a silicon photovoltaic cell. The bacteria, C.

Abstract: A passive self energized, liquid device operates entirely on capillary action. A microfilter fractionates nanoliter volumes of suspension such as whole blood into suspended particles or cells and liquid fractions. Blood, for example, is fractionated with minimal cell lysis, and the filtrate (plasma) flux is dependent upon design parameters similar to factors controlling blood filtration in microporous membranes, i.e. active filter area, fluid velocity and microfilter geometry. Weir-style filters communicate with a blood flow channel to separate plasma from blood moving by capillary action. An expanded downstream channel with multiple parallel capillary blood flow path provides continuing movement of blood past the filters. Lysing is controlled by the size of the filter pores and the duration of adherence of the red blood cells to the pores. The controlled lysis or prevention of lysis of red blood cells is accomplished by manipulating the significant capillary forces generated in the filters.

Abstract: An improved method for the design and development of high performance hybrid devices having biological and nonbiological components. The biological component is used in hybrid constructs that may be nanostructures, given the small size of the biological parts. In one specific embodiment, chlorosomes of Chloroflexus aurantiacus (C. aurantiacus) enhance performance of a silicon photovoltaic cell. C. aurantiacus, strain J-10-f1, has the A.T.C.C. designation number 29366, having been deposited in July, 1976. Its chlorosomes are harvested and positioned in light communicating relation to a photoactive semiconductor. The chlorosomes react to light of a first wavelength by emitting light at a second wavelength to which the semiconductor electrically responds.

Abstract: An improved method for the design and development of high performance hybrid devices having biological and nonbiological components. A figure of merit is developed for the biological component or components. The component is subjected to various environmental variables as it or its biological source organism is grown. The biological component is force adapted to cause its figure of merit to reach a goal or an acceptable measure. The biological component is used in hybrid constructs that may be nanostructures, given the small size of the biological parts. In one specific embodiment, force-adapted chlorosomes of C. aurantiacus enhance performance of a silicon photovoltaic cell. The bacteria, Chloroflexus aurantiacus (C. aurantiacus), strain J-10-fl, has the A.T.C.C. designation number 29366, having been deposited in July, 1976.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel method for analyzing nucleic acid sequences based on real-time detection of DNA polymerase-catalyzed incorporation of each of the four nucleotide bases, supplied individually and serially in a microfluidic system, to a reaction cell containing a template system comprising a DNA fragment of unknown sequence and an oligonucleotide primer. Incorporation of a nucleotide base into the template system can be detected by any of a variety of methods including but not limited to fluorescence and chemiluminescence detection. Alternatively, microcalorimetic detection of the heat generated by the incorporation of a nucleotide into the extending template system using thermopile, thermistor and refractive index measurements can be used to detect extension reactions.

Abstract: A passive self energized, liquid device operates entirely on capillary action. A microfilter fractionates nanoliter volumes of suspension such as whole blood into suspended particles or cells and liquid fractions. Blood, for example, is fractionated with minimal cell lysis, and the filtrate (plasma) flux is dependent upon design parameters similar to factors controlling blood filtration in microporous membranes, i.e. active filter area, fluid velocity and microfilter geometry. Weir-style filters communicate with a blood flow channel to separate plasma from blood moving by capillary action. An expanded downstream channel with multiple parallel capillary blood flow path provides continuing movement of blood past the filters. Lysing is controlled by the size of the filter pores and the duration of adherence of the red blood cells to the pores. The controlled lysis or prevention of lysis of red blood cells is accomplished by manipulating the significant capillary forces generated in the filters.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel method for analyzing nucleic acid sequences based on real-time detection of DNA polymerase-catalyzed incorporation of each of the four nucleotide bases, supplied individually and serially in a microfluidic system, to a reaction cell containing a template system comprising a DNA fragment of unknown sequence and an oligonucleotide primer. Incorporation of a nucleotide base into the template system can be detected by any of a variety of methods including but not limited to fluorescence and chemiluminescence detection. Alternatively, microcalorimetic detection of the heat generated by the incorporation of a nucleotide into the extending template system using thermopile, thermistor and refractive index measurements can be used to detect extension reactions.

Abstract: Processing of hydroxylapatite sol-gel films on titanium alloy bone prostheses. A method utilizing non-line-of-sight ion beam implantation and/or rapid thermal processing to provide improved bonding of layers of hydroxylapatite to titanium alloy substrates while encouraging bone ingrowth into the hydroxylapatite layers located away from the substrate, is described for the fabrication of prostheses. The first layer of hydroxylapatite is mixed into the substrate by the ions or rapidly thermally annealed, while subsequent layers are heat treated or densified using ion implantation to form layers of decreasing density and larger crystallization, with the outermost layers being suitable for bone ingrowth.

Abstract: An anisotropic hollow fiber membrane is utilized to sample fluids for selected substances by convective flow of liquid and such substances, with conduct of the liquid to a sensor for analysis for such substances, to permit monitoring, particularly of body fluids, for such substances with short response times.

Abstract: A method is described whereby a toxic or other unwanted substance which is bound to body protein in a host's plasma, cell membranes, or lipid materials such as adipose tissue, can be freed therefrom and rendered accessible for removal, modification or neutralization by engagement with a liberating agent, such as ethanol; and thereafter acting upon the freed substance to eliminate it from the host system or to neutralize or modify its effect within the system.