Abstract: The preparation and colloidal gold nanoparticles deposited using a wet-chemical, three-phase ligand-exchange procedure carried out at room temperature on anodic alumina oxide to enhance detection of materials using Surface-enhanced Raman Scattering (SERS) is disclosed.

Abstract: 1,7-diaryl-1,6-heptadiene-3,5-dione derivatives, methods for the production and use thereof.

Abstract: A cartridge to be installed in a detection device for detecting light generated from a measurement sample containing a test substance is provided. The cartridge includes: a plurality of detection chambers fluidly isolated from each other and each receiving a measurement sample; and a transmission suppression unit provided between one detection chamber and another detection chamber of the plurality of detection chambers, and configured to suppress transmission of light generated from a measurement sample in the one detection chamber to the another detection chamber.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides for materials (e.g., films, mixtures, and colloidally suspended in solution) including two types of particles (e.g., nanoparticles) that exhibit harmonic surface plasmon resonances (SPR), where these are referred to as harmonically paired set of particles. The present disclosure provides for harmonically paired set of particles, where the particles are separated by a dielectric layer. The dielectric layer has a thickness such that direct electron transfer does not occur between the harmonically paired set of particles. The harmonically paired set of particles can be included in harmonically paired set of particle system or devices which can be a component in measurement systems or devices.

Abstract: Provided herein are devices and methods for analysis of male fertility. The invention provides self-contained, hand-held receptacles and systems for collection and analysis of semen samples and methods of using such devices to analyze semen samples. Also provided are processor-implemented and machine learning methods of analyzing semen sample data obtained using devices of the invention.

Abstract: A sensing system comprises a photonics integrated circuit partially encapsulated by an encapsulation material and the photonics integrated circuit comprising a first integrated sensor accessible to a target analyte and being positioned in a part of the photonics integrated circuit not being encapsulated by an encapsulation material, and a second integrated sensor accessible to a reference substance and being positioned in a part of the photonics integrated circuit that is encapsulated by an encapsulation material. The sensing system is further adapted to, when in use, comprise the reference substance but less or no target analyte between the second integrated sensor and the encapsulation material as compared to the amount of target analyte being present at the first integrated sensor.

Abstract: A sensing device includes a first sensor configured to capture a first analyte in a fluid medium and to generate a first signal in response to capturing the first analyte. The sensing device also includes a second sensor configured to capture a second analyte in the fluid medium and to generate a second signal in response to capturing the second analyte, where the second analyte is different from the first analyte. The sensing device further includes a detector configured to collect the first and second signals to provide a total signal and to calculate a total concentration of the first and the second analyte in the fluid medium based on the total signal.

Abstract: Devices and methods for inspecting containers for the presence of foreign matter include, in at least one embodiment, at least one sampling head, at least one pressure sensor, and a filter. The at least one sampling head is configured to introduce an amount of a first fluid into a container and to remove an amount of a second fluid from the container for inspection for the presence of foreign matter. The at least one pressure sensor is configured to measure a pressure of the second fluid upon removal of the second fluid from the container. The filter is arranged in the at least one sampling head and is configured to filter the second fluid.

Abstract: A smear system includes smear preparing apparatus that prepares a smear slide and a smear transporting apparatus that transports the smear slide to a smear-image capture apparatus. The smear preparing apparatus includes: a smear preparation part that smeares a sample on a slide; and a smear arrangement part that places smear slides in a smear container. The smear transporting apparatus includes: a smear-container transport part that transports the smear container with the smear slides; an identification-information acquisition part that acquires identification information on whether image capturing by the smear-image capture apparatus is necessary, from each of the smear slides accommodated in the smear container positioned on a transport path of the smear-container transport part; and a smear transfer part that transfers the smear slide whose image is to be captured to the smear-image capture apparatus on the basis of the identification information acquired by the identification-information acquisition part.

Abstract: An analyzing system is provided. The analyzing system includes a fluid container defining a sample chamber where a sample is contained in the sample chamber, and a sensor including a transparent body with a reverse face and an obverse face where the obverse face having a nanostructured surface. The nanostructured surface includes a plurality of elongate nanostructures having a respective longitudinal axis that is disposed substantially perpendicularly to the obverse face. The analyzing system includes an excitation and detection apparatus that includes an excitation source for generating a beam of polarized radiation and a corresponding radiation detector where the sensor is coupled to the fluid container such that the nanostructured surface is exposed to the sample chamber, to the sample located therein.

Abstract: A sample of water is tested for silica and phosphate content in a single apparatus. In the test method, a first sample of the water is colorimetrically analyzed in a reaction chamber using a “molybdenum blue” test in which silica and phosphate in the sample are complexed with a first reagent. The phosphate complexes are then optically inactivated by a second reagent and the color of the silica complexes is intensified with a third reagent. From this, the silica content is calculated. A further sample is colorimetrically analyzed without using the second reagent, so that a combined silica and phosphate content of the further sample is obtained. A value of the silica content is subtracted from the value of the combined silica and phosphate content, resulting in a phosphate content for the sample. The silica content and the phosphate content of the sample are reportable.

Abstract: A sensor element is used to collect environment information on a surface of the earth or a surface layer of the earth by being scattered in a target region where the environment information is collected. At least one of reflection properties, transmission properties, absorption properties, or luminescence properties with respective to an electromagnetic wave with a specific wavelength, or light emitting properties changes in accordance with an environment.

Abstract: An example method includes providing coal and extracting the graphene from the coal. The graphene may be extracted using any suitable technique, such as the Hummers method, a modified Hummers method, or exfoliation of graphite. The graphene may include impurities or other electrical properties that depend at least partially on the composition of the coal. The method may further include forming a life science device from the graphene. The life science device may include, for example, a biosensor or a drug delivery system.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are sample dishes for use with microscopes that are simple to mount on a microscope and facilitate easy manipulation of tissue samples disposed thereon during imaging as well as methods of their use. A sample dish comprises an optical interface and, optionally, a support member that holds the optical interface. The optical interface of a sample dish is suitably transparent and planar such that a focal plane of a microscope can reside uniformly at or within a surface of a sample during imaging. In certain embodiments, a support member comprises a dish for holding excess fluid. In certain embodiments, a sample dish comprises separation ribs. In certain embodiments, a sample dish comprises one or more manipulation members (e.g., tabs). In certain embodiments, a sample dish is used with an imaging artifact reducing fluid.

Abstract: Techniques for generating full-spatial resolution, full spectral resolution image(s) from a 3D spectral-data cube for any spectral value within a given spectral range are provided without requiring the acquisition of all full-spatial resolution, full spectral resolution data by an instrument. The 3D spectral-data cube is generated from a limited number of full-spatial resolution, sparse spectral resolution data and a sparse-spatial resolution, full-spectral resolution data of the same area of the sample. The use of the 3D spectral-data cube reduces the data acquisition time.

Abstract: Disclosed is a device for extracting a filtrate from a liquid sample that includes one or more filtration membranes and, in physical contact with a portion of the downstream surface(s) of the filtration membrane(s), a soluble matrix possessing a capillary drawing force sufficient to draw filtrate through the at least one filtration membrane and into the soluble matrix, causing the soluble matrix to at least partially dissolve or disintegrate in the filtrate, whereby the filtrate is released. Various configurations, including device configurations having two filtration membranes with a soluble matrix in between or having a tubular filtration membrane at least partially surrounding or surrounded by a soluble matrix are described.

Abstract: An analysis device includes a turntable holding a substrate, an optical pickup driven in a direction perpendicular to a rotation axis of the turntable and configured to emit laser light to reaction regions and to receive reflected light from the respective reaction regions, an optical pickup drive circuit, and a controller. The reaction regions are formed at positions different from the center of the substrate. The center of the substrate is located on the rotation axis of the turntable. The optical pickup detects a reception level of the reflected light to generate a light reception level signal. The controller controls a turntable drive circuit to rotate the substrate, controls the optical pickup drive circuit to drive the optical pickup, and specifies the respective reaction regions in accordance with a positional information signal and the light reception level signal.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for controlling contaminants in biopharmaceutical purification processes by using light scattering and UV absorbance to establish a determinant. The invention makes use of multi-angle light scattering (MALS) and UV as a continuous monitoring system to provide information about the elution peak fractions in real-time instead of conventional pooling methods that rely on a predetermined percent UV peak max value to initiate the pooling process; regardless of product quality.

Abstract: A method for performing an assay on a liquid sample for the detection of one or more analytes of interest in an assay device having a flow path which includes a sample zone and detection zone thereon includes: dispensing the sample onto the sample zone; combining the sample and a reagent, wherein the sample and reagent may be combined prior to addition of the sample to the sample zone or on the assay device, flowing the combined sample/reagent by capillary action into and through the detection zone having capture elements bound thereto, wherein a signal at least partially representative of the presence or concentration of analyte(s) is produced and detected; determining a reaction time or reaction volume; and determining the concentration of the analyte by using both the detected signal and the reaction time or reaction volume.

Abstract: The disclosure provides a nanolaser based on a depth-subwavelength graphene-dielectric hyperbolic dispersive cavity, comprising a pumping light source and the depth-subwavelength graphene-dielectric hyperbolic dispersive cavity; wherein the depth-subwavelength graphene-dielectric hyperbolic dispersive cavity is a spherical or hemispherical hyperbolic dispersive microcavity formed by alternately wrapping a dielectric core with graphene layers and dielectric layers.

Abstract: A colorimetric sensor for detecting an analyte of interest that includes a metal layer disposed upon a substrate, a plurality of nanostructures, and a corresponding plurality of metal deposits spaced apart from the metal layer. The metal layer defines a plurality of holes, each nanostructure includes a first portion disposed within a respective hole, and each metal deposit is disposed upon a second portion of a respective nanostructure. The sensor also includes a molecularly imprinted polymer layer that may cover the metal layer, the nanostructures, and/or the metal deposits. The molecularly imprinted polymer layer defines a cavity shaped to receive the analyte of interest, and the sensor is configured such that, when an analyte contacts the molecularly imprinted polymer layer and becomes disposed within the cavity, an optical property of at least a portion of the sensor changes thereby to cause a detectable color change in and/or from the sensor.

Abstract: Provided is a method that utilises linear dichroism (LD) to identify the presence of a target molecule (L) in a sample. The method comprises providing an alignable scaffold (20), preferably biomolecular fibre M13, comprising a first binding region and having a high aspect ratio of greater than 5:1, providing a substrate (e.g. a substantially spherical non-alignable moiety (12)) comprising a second binding region which binds the first binding region in the absence of the target molecule in such a way that the LD signal of the alignable scaffold is reduced or minimised relative to the unbound and aligned scaffold, wherein one of the first and second binding regions is a receptor capable of binding the target molecule, exposing the substrate-bound scaffold to the sample such that binding of the target molecule, if present, to the receptor releases the scaffold from the substrate, and measuring the LD signal of the scaffold before and after exposure to the sample.

Abstract: Examples of a monolithic phosphor composite for measuring a parameter of an object are disclosed. The ceramic metal oxide phosphor composite is used in an optical device for measuring the parameter of the measuring object. The device comprises a fiber optic probe with a light guide, a light source operatively coupled to the fiber optic probe to provide excitation light into the light guide, a monolithic ceramic metal oxide phosphor composite functionally coupled to a tip of the fiber optic probe, a sensor operatively coupled to the fiber optic probe to detect the emitted light and a processing unit functionally coupled to the sensor to process the emitted light. The monolithic ceramic metal oxide phosphor composite can be embedded in a notch made into the object or can be adhered to a surface of the object with a binder.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a light source assembly including a light source and a bull's eye collimation structure disposed on a light exiting side of the light source and configured to collimate light beam emitted by the light source. The bull's eye collimation structure includes a metal layer including a sub-wavelength aperture and a plurality of annular recesses surrounding the sub-wavelength aperture, the plurality of annular recesses being arranged along a radial direction of the sub-wavelength aperture.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a device that includes a light source, a detector; and a film having a first surface that includes a transition metal dichalcogenide, where the film is configured to interact with a volume of gas containing a concentration of water vapor, the light source is configured to shine a first light onto the first surface, the film is configured, as a result of the first light, to emit from the first surface a second light, the detector is configured to receive at least a portion of the second light, and the detector is configured to generate a signal proportional to an intensity of the second light.

Abstract: 1,7-diaryl-1,6-heptadiene-3,5-dione derivatives, methods for the production and use thereof.

Abstract: A tactical chemical detector may include a light array comprising a plurality of light sources; a sensor optic comprising a plurality of optic elements, each optic element in optical communication with one of the plurality of light sources; a sensor array comprising a plurality of sensors arranged on a substrate, each sensor in optical communication with one of the plurality of light sources and wherein at least one vent opening extends through the substrate; a power source configured to selectively provide power the light array and the sensor array; and a housing having a first side and a second side and enclosing the light array, the sensor optic, the sensor array, and the power source.

Abstract: A flow-cytometer has an excitation light source generating an excitation light that excites one or more bio-cells in a bio-sample carried by a flow path to luminesce. The flow-cytometer includes a spectrum dispersive element that disperses the luminescent light generated by the bio-sample into a photo-detector array. The flow-cytometer further includes a digital signal processor (DSP) that receives signals from the photo-detector array and generates a self-triggering signal based on the luminescent light generated by the bio-cells in bio-sample. The self-triggering signal triggers data capture in the DSP to improve synchronization with the data generated from signals received from the photo-detector array.

Abstract: A method of analyzing a sample located on a hydrophilic portion of a surface is disclosed. The method includes directing a first incident non-destructive electromagnetic beam through the sample at a non-zero incidence angle relative to the surface. The method also includes analyzing a first reflected non-destructive electromagnetic beam reflected from the hydrophilic portion to obtain a first measurement associated with at least one property of the sample.

Abstract: The invention provides an system (200) comprising (i) a light source (220) configured to provide radiation (221), wherein the radiation (221) at least comprises UV radiation; (ii) a waveguide element (1210) comprising a radiation exit window (230), wherein the waveguide element (1210) is configured to receive at least part of the radiation (221) and to radiate at least part of the radiation (221) to the exterior of the waveguide element (1210) via the radiation exit window (230) and configured to internally reflect part of the radiation (221) at the radiation exit window (230); (iii) an optical sensor (310) configured to sense an internal reflection intensity (I) of the internally reflected radiation (221); and (iv) a control system (300), functionally coupled to the optical sensor, and configured to reduce the intensity of the radiation (221) as function of reaching a predetermined first threshold of a reduction of the internal reflection intensity (I) over a time.

Abstract: Among others, the present invention provides micro-devices for detecting or treating a disease, each comprising a first micro sensor for detecting a property of the biological sample at the microscopic level, and an interior wall defining a channel, wherein the micro sensor is located in the interior wall of the micro-device and detects the property of the biological sample in the microscopic level, and the biological sample is transported within the channel.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are high-throughput sample processing systems and waste management systems, and methods of using the same.

Abstract: An automated analyzer has a reaction disk on which a plurality of reaction vessels capable of holding sample and reagent mixtures can be placed, a first cover for covering at least a portion of the area above the reaction disk, a second cover that can be opened and closed independently from the first cover, at least one sensor for monitoring the opening and closing of the first cover, and a control unit for monitoring a signal from the sensor and carrying out control such that if the first cover has not been opened and closed during the period until a new analysis operation is started, a pre-analysis cleaning operation, blank measurement operation, or both, are skipped.

Abstract: Provided herein are enhanced imaging techniques which allow for the use of multiple optical sensors, each of which corresponds to only a portion of an array, including utilizing individual sensors for each individual well of a multi-well plate. The provided systems and methods may reduce the amount of time to perform optical analysis of an array, reduce the amount of moving parts or mechanical devices required to perform optical analysis and/or reduce the amount of space between the sensors and the array being analyzed resulting in more compact, efficient optical analyzers.

Abstract: An apparatus is described that selectively absorbs electromagnetic radiation. The apparatus includes a conducting surface, a dielectric layer formed on the conducting surface, and a plurality of conducting particles distributed on the dielectric layer. The dielectric layer can be formed from a material and a thickness selected to yield a specific absorption spectrum. Alternatively, the thickness or dielectric value of the material can change in response to an external stimulus, thereby changing the absorption spectrum.

Abstract: A sample plate comprising a sample well is disclosed. The sample well can comprise one or more bead retaining chambers. Also provided herein is a method of using the sample plate and kits comprising the sample plate.

Abstract: A device and method yielding a blood analysis employable in combination with an introducer for a catheter for a concurrent testing of blood from the introducer flash chamber during placement of a venous catheter. The device employs a colorimetric blood analysis to provide the user a visually discernable alert to the results of tested blood concurrent with the placement of the catheter with the introducer.

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for identifying at least a first target condition in a human or animal body. The apparatus comprises one or more test portions for identifying a first analyte in a biological sample from the body, the first analyte providing a marker of the first target condition, and a second analyte in the biological sample, the second analyte being different from the first analyte. The apparatus is configured to identify the first target condition in the body based on the identification of both the first and second analytes. In one embodiment, the first target condition is pregnancy, the first analyte is human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) and the second analyte is luteinizing hormone (LH).

Abstract: Devices and methods for using changes in the configuration of micrometer sized dispersed liquid crystal domains to detect or quantify analytes in a test sample, including endotoxin lipopolysaccharide (LPS), are disclosed. The test sample includes one or more potential masking agents, such as a non-ionic surfactant, a chelating agent, a divalent cation, a protein, or a nucleic acid, and may also include a buffer. The dispersed liquid crystal microdomains are exposed to the test sample, and any changes in the configuration in the liquid crystal microdomains, such as from the bipolar to radial configuration, are detected. Such changes in configuration signal the presence of analyte in the test sample, and the proportion of liquid crystal microdomains exhibiting the change in configuration is correlated with the quantity of analyte in the test sample.

Abstract: An inspection apparatus is provided that comprises an optical target including a solid host material and a fluorescing material embedded in the solid host material. The solid host material has a predetermined phonon energy HOSTPE. The fluorescing material exhibits a select ground energy level and a target excitation (TE) energy level separated from the ground energy level by a first energy gap corresponding to a fluorescence emission wavelength of interest. The fluorescing material has a next lower lying (NLL) energy level relative to the TE energy level. The NLL energy level is spaced a second energy gap FMEG2 below the TE energy level, wherein a ratio of the FMEG2/HOSTPE is three or more.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to devices and methods for identifying conditions in a human or animal body, such as pregnancy or ovulation. For example, the present disclosure relates to devices and methods for identifying pregnancy or ovulation, which devices and methods are adapted to mitigate the “hook effect”, thereby improving accuracy of the devices and methods.

Abstract: Among other things, a diluted sample is generated based on mixing a small sample of blood with a one or more diluents. A thin film of the diluted sample is formed on the surface of a contact optical microscopy sensor. Red blood cells within a portion of the thin film of the diluted sample are illuminated using light of a predetermined wavelength. One or more images of the diluted sample are acquired based on illuminating the red blood cells within the portion of the thin film of the diluted sample. The acquired one or more images of the diluted sample are then processed. The mean corpuscular hemoglobin in the red blood cells within the portion of the thin film of the diluted sample is determined based on processing the acquired images of the diluted sample.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for efficiently assessing the results of reflectance spectroscopy on a soil sample to determine the presence of contaminants in the soil, by constructing a model based on analysis of known samples. The model may be constructed using an all possibilities approach and data mining techniques, on a range of samples, for example of different kinds of soil without pollutants and with different levels of pollutants. The Disclosure relates both to the construction of the model and to its use in the field in analyzing soil contaminants.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for imaging a microarray of a microarray assembly. The microarray assembly may be configured as a protein microarray and may be used to visualize protein expression levels in sample for disease detection and/or diagnosis. In one example, the microarray assembly may comprise a laser pointed in a first direction, a camera positioned parallel to and vertically below the laser, a first dichroic mirror vertically aligned with the laser for reflecting light emitted from the laser, a second mirror vertically aligned with the camera and horizontally aligned with the first dichroic mirror, and a chip coated in a nitrocellulose film and including an array of wells containing one or more biomolecules.

Abstract: A method of determining a macromolecular analyte in a sample suspected of containing the macromolecular analyte is disclosed. The sample and a conjugate reagent comprising a small molecule and a binding partner for the macromolecular analyte are combined in a medium. The conjugate reagent and a labeled binding partner for the small molecule are combined. The conjugate reagent or the medium is examined for an amount of labeled binding partner for the small molecule that is bound to the small molecule, which is related to the amount of the macromolecular analyte in the sample.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for determining the reaction of at least one bacterium of interest to its exposure to an antibiotic implementing a Raman spectroscopy analysis comprising the following steps: Having a biological sample that could contain said bacteria of interest, Preparing at least two fractions of said sample each comprising one or more living bacteria of interest, Capturing, in each fraction, at least one living bacterium of interest by using a binding partner, Exposing at least one of the fractions to at least one concentration of at least one given antibiotic, the other of the fractions being the control fraction, Submitting the bacterium/bacteria of interest contained in the fractions to an incident light and analyzing the resultant light obtained by Raman diffusion by the bacterium/bacteria of interest by Raman spectroscopy in order to obtain as many Raman spectra as bacteria, Treating said spectra in order to obtain a signature of the reaction of the or each bacterium/bacteria of int

Abstract: The disclosure describes a method of forming highly ordered membrane protein crystals. The forming process is done in the presence of a magnetic field to exploit the diamagnetic anisotropy of the membrane protein. Further described is a method of magnetic alignment and crystallization of membrane proteins in two-dimensional (2D) sheets for protein structural characterization and applications in functional devices. Block co-copolymers are used in alternative embodiments to assist with the crystallization process.

Abstract: Provided herein are devices, systems, and methods for characterizing a biological sample in vivo or ex vivo in real-time using time-resolved spectroscopy. A light source generates a light pulse or continuous light wave and excites the biological sample, inducing a responsive fluorescent signal. A demultiplexer splits the signal into spectral bands and a time delay is applied to the spectral bands so as to capture data with a detector from multiple spectral bands from a single excitation pulse. The biological sample is characterized by analyzing the fluorescence intensity magnitude and/or decay of the spectral bands. The sample may comprise one or more exogenous or endogenous fluorophore. The device may be a two-piece probe with a detachable, disposable distal end. The systems may combine fluorescence spectroscopy with other optical spectroscopy or imaging modalities. The light pulse may be focused at a single focal point or scanned or patterned across an area.

Abstract: A non-invasive, optical-based physiological monitoring system is disclosed. One embodiment includes an emitter configured to emit light. A diffuser is configured to receive and spread the emitted light, and to emit the spread light at a tissue measurement site. The system further includes a concentrator configured to receive the spread light after it has been attenuated by or reflected from the tissue measurement site. The concentrator is also configured to collect and concentrate the received light and to emit the concentrated light to a detector. The detector is configured to detect the concentrated light and to transmit a signal representative of the detected light. A processor is configured to receive the transmitted signal and to determine a physiological parameter, such as, for example, arterial oxygen saturation, in the tissue measurement site.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are compositions and methods for exosome detection with high sensitivity by using a nano-plasmonic sensor. The nano-plasmonic sensor comprises a plurality of nanoapertures suitable for transmission measurements. The detection sensitivity is on the order of 104-fold higher than western blotting and 102-fold higher than enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). A portable imaging system is also disclosed, enabling rapid and high-throughput detection of exosomes. The nano-plasmonic sensor and imaging system can be useful in diagnostics.