Abstract: An automated cell injection system and method are described, which can perform automatic, reliable, and high-throughput cell injection of foreign genetic materials, proteins, and other compounds. The system and method overcome the problems inherent in traditional manual injection that is characterized by poor reproducibility, human fatigue, and low throughput. The present invention is particularly suited for zebrafish embryo injection but can be readily extended to other biological injection applications such as mouse embryo, drosophila embryo, and C. elegans injections, capable of facilitating high-throughput genetic research at both academic and industry levels. A novel vacuum based cell-holding device is also provided.

Abstract: This invention relates to organic salt compositions useful in the preparation of organoclay compositions, polymer-organoclay composite compositions, and methods for the preparation of polymer nanocomposites. In one embodiment, the present invention provides novel organophosphonium salts having structure I wherein Ar1, Ar2, and Ar3 are independently C2-C50 aromatic radicals; Ar4 is a bond or a C2-C50 aromatic radical; “a” is a number from 1 to about 200; “c” is a number from 0 to 3; R1 is independently at each occurrence a halogen atom, a C1-C20 aliphatic radical, a C5-C20 cycloaliphatic radical, or a C2-C20 aromatic radical; R2 is a halogen atom, a C1-C20 aliphatic radical, a C5-C20 cycloaliphatic radical, a C2-C50 aromatic radical, or a polymer chain; and X? is a charge balancing counterion. In another embodiment, the present invention provides methodologies for the preparation of organophosphonium salts having structure I.

Abstract: This invention relates to organic salt compositions useful in the preparation of organoclay compositions, polymer-organoclay composite compositions, and methods for the preparation of polymer nanocomposites. In one embodiment, the present invention provides an organoclay composition comprising alternating inorganic silicate layers and organic layers, said organic layers comprising a quaternary phosphonium cation having structure X wherein Ar1, Ar2, and Ar3 are independently C2-C50 aromatic radicals; Ar4 is a bond or a C2-C50 aromatic radical; “a” is a number from 1 to about 200; “c” is a number from 0 to 3; R1 is independently at each occurrence a halogen atom, a C1-C20 aliphatic radical, a C5-C20 cycloaliphatic radical, or a C2-C20 aromatic radical; and R2 is a halogen atom, a C1-C20 aliphatic radical, a C5-C20 cycloaliphatic radical, a C2-C50 aromatic radical, or a polymer chain.

Abstract: A variable optical attenuator includes a first lens, a MEMS device, a second lens, and a wedge. The first lens is configured to collimate an input light received on a first port and focus an output light on a focus point proximate to a second port. The MEMS device includes a reflection surface having a tilting angle thereof controllable by a control variable. The second lens has a focus point positioned proximate to the reflection surface of the MEMS device. The wedge is positioned between the first lens and the second lens and is configured to refract the input light received from the first lens to enter the second lens and refract the output light received from the second lens to enter the first lens.

Abstract: An optical circulator has a first collimator; a first block of birefringent material; a first compound polarization rotator; a light angle deflector (e.g., Wollaston prism); a second compound polarization rotator; a second block of birefringent material; and a second collimator. Light from the first fiber exits the first collimator along a first path into a first collimated beam that first hits the central plane on a crossing line between the interface and the central plane such that the first collimated beam exits the light angle deflector along a second path substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction and is received by the second fiber. Light from the second fiber exits the second collimator along the second path into a second collimated beam that exits the light angle deflector along a third path and is received by the third fiber.

Abstract: A variable optical attenuator includes a first lens, a MEMS device, a second lens, and a wedge. The first lens is configured to collimate an input light received on a first port and focus an output light on a focus point proximate to a second port. The MEMS device includes a reflection surface having a tilting angle thereof controllable by a control variable. The second lens has a focus point positioned proximate to the reflection surface of the MEMS device. The wedge is positioned between the first lens and the second lens and is configured to refract the input light received from the first lens to enter the second lens and refract the output light received from the second lens to enter the first lens.

Abstract: An optical circulator has a first collimator; a first block of birefringent material; a first compound polarization rotator for rendering mutually parallel polarizations orthogonal and mutually orthogonal polarizations parallel; a light angle deflector (e.g., Wollaston prism); a second compound polarization rotator for rendering mutually parallel polarizations orthogonal and mutually orthogonal polarizations parallel; a second block of birefringent material; and a second collimator. Light from the first fiber exits the first collimator along a first path into a first collimated beam that first hits the central plane on a crossing line between the interface and the central plane such that the first collimated beam exits the light angle deflector along a second path substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction and is received by the second fiber.

Abstract: A method and system for providing an optical filter is disclosed. The method and system include providing a first fiber for carrying a first optical signal and a second fiber for carrying a second optical signal. The first fiber has an end. The method and system also include providing a filter and a lens disposed between the filter and the end of the first fiber. The filter has a surface and is for filtering the first optical signal to provide the second optical signal. The lens has an axis and is for collimating the first optical signal. A normal to the surface of the filter is disposed at a first nonzero angle to the axis. The first optical signal has a first direction of propagation at the surface of the filter. The first direction of propagation is disposed at a second nonzero angle from the normal to the surface of the filter. The filter can be tuned by rotating the filter around the axis. Furthermore, additional fibers can be added to simultaneously filter multiple channels.

Abstract: A system and method for filtering are disclosed. The system and method include providing first, second, third and fourth fibers for carrying a first, second, third, and fourth optical signals, respectively. The method and system also include providing a holder, a filter, and a first wedge assembly. The holder is for receiving the first fiber, the second fiber, the third fiber, and the fourth fiber therein. The filter is for filtering the first optical signal, the second optical signal, the third optical signal, and the fourth optical signal to provide a first filtered optical signal, a second filtered optical signal, a third filtered optical signal, and a fourth filtered optical signal. The first wedge assembly is disposed between the holder and the filter.