Abstract: A sensing textile includes at least one assembly of optical fiber filaments, wherein the sensing textile has a main direction and a cross direction, and wherein the at least one assembly of optical fiber filaments is oriented at any angle measured relative to the cross direction.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a sensor comprises a waveguide comprising a photoacoustic generation element disposed on the waveguide, the photoacoustic generation element comprising a photoabsorptive material; and a sensing element comprising an optical acoustic wave detector. In another embodiment, a sensing system comprises the sensor and a laser. In yet another embodiment, a method of sensing comprises providing the sensing system; heating the photoabsorptive material with a laser to generate an acoustic signal; sensing an intensity of laser light reflected by the optical acoustic wave detector to detect the acoustic signal; and determining a time of flight of the acoustic signal between the generation and the detection to determine a change in a parameter change in a medium between the photoabsorptive material and the optical acoustic wave detector.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a transducer includes a first optical fiber having an ultrasound generator including a nanoparticulate material on an end thereof; and a second optical fiber having an ultrasound detector on an end thereof, wherein the ultrasound detector includes a Fabry Perot cavity. In another embodiment, a transducer includes an ultrasound generator comprising a nanoparticulate material and an ultrasound detector comprising a Fabry Perot cavity, wherein both the ultrasound generator and the ultrasound detector are disposed on an end of a first optical fiber.

Abstract: A current balance circuit for a power management device having a first current channel and a second current channel, having: a first current sense circuit configured to detect a current flowing through the first current channel, and to provide a first current sense signal indicative of the current flowing through the first current channel; wherein the current balance circuit draws current from the second current channel to the first current channel based on the first current sense signal.

Abstract: A current balance circuit for a power management device having a first current channel and a second current channel, having: a first current sense circuit configured to detect a current flowing through the first current channel, and to provide a first current sense signal indicative of the current flowing through the first current channel; wherein the current balance circuit draws current from the second current channel to the first current channel based on the first current sense signal.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a sensor, a sensor so fabricated, and a method for sensing a stimulus are provided. The method includes providing an elongated open channel, such as, a V-groove, in a substrate, the open channel providing a first surface; removing at least some material from at least a portion of the open channel to provide a second surface displaced from the first surface; positioning a diaphragm on the second surface; and positioning an elongated wave-guide having a beveled end in the elongated open channel wherein the beveled end is positioned over the diaphragm to define an interferometric cavity between the diaphragm and the outer surface of the wave-guide. The sensor so fabricated can provide an effective sensor for detecting acoustic emission waves, among other pressure waves.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a sensor, a sensor so fabricated, and a method for sensing a stimulus are provided. The method includes providing an elongated open channel, such as, a V-groove, in a substrate, the open channel providing a first surface; removing at least some material from at least a portion of the open channel to provide a second surface displaced from the first surface; positioning a diaphragm on the second surface; and positioning an elongated wave-guide having a beveled end in the elongated open channel wherein the beveled end is positioned over the diaphragm to define an interferometric cavity between the diaphragm and the outer surface of the wave-guide. The sensor so fabricated can provide an effective sensor for detecting acoustic emission waves, among other pressure waves.

Abstract: The invention provides devices, compositions and methods for maintaining conditions in a cell culture and for measurement of conditions in the cell culture. In particular, the invention provides hydrogel materials, apparatus and methods for several non-invasive techniques of maintaining glucose and pH levels in cell cultures at near-optimal levels and the non-invasive measurement of pH levels in cell cultures.

Abstract: A fiber-optic sensor includes a Fabry-Perot cavity, the length of which may be altered by deposition of a material of interest that may be deposited or captured on an end surface thereof. The sensor may also be tapered near the end surface to a tip diameter in the range of a few micrometers or a few micrometers by a variety of techniques which may be used singly or in combination. A tapered probe of such dimensions is of minimal intrusiveness in biological observations and can be used to probe sub-micron sized cells in vivo. By developing a multi-layer self-assembled film to immobilize a capture material such as a DNA sequence complementary to a DNA sequence of interest or other organic material such as proteins, antigens and/or antibodies materials of interest may be preferentially captured and immediately detected by alteration of spectral response of the fiber-optic sensor.

Abstract: A fiber optic sensor has a hollow tube bonded to the endface of an optical fiber, and a diaphragm bonded to the hollow tube. The fiber endface and diaphragm comprise an etalon cavity. The length of the etalon cavity changes when applied pressure or acceleration flexes the diaphragm. The entire structure can be made of fused silica. The fiber, tube, and diaphragm can be bonded with a fusion splice. The present sensor is particularly well suited for measuring pressure or acceleration in high temperature, high pressure and corrosive environments (e.g., oil well downholes and jet engines). The present sensors are also suitable for use in biological and medical applications.

Abstract: A fiber optic sensor has a hollow tube bonded to the endface of an optical fiber, and a diaphragm bonded to the hollow tube. The fiber endface and diaphragm comprise an etalon cavity. The length of the etalon cavity changes when applied pressure or acceleration flexes the diaphragm. The entire structure can be made of fused silica. The fiber, tube, and diaphragm can be bonded with a fusion splice. The present sensor is particularly well suited for measuring pressure or acceleration in high temperature, high pressure and corrosive environments (e.g., oil well downholes and jet engines). The present sensors are also suitable for use in biological and medical applications.