Abstract: A high-throughput optical sectioning three-dimensional imaging system which includes: a light beam modulation module configured to modulate a light beam into a modulated light beam capable of being focused on a focal plane of an objective lens and being defocused on a defocusing plane of the objective lens; an imaging module configured to employ a camera to image, in different rows of pixels, a sample under illumination of the modulated light beam; a cutting module configured to cut off an imaged surface layer of the sample; a demodulation module configured to demodulate a sample image of one sample strip of one surface layer into an optical sectioning image, and reconstruct the optical sectioning image of each sample strip of each surface layer into a three-dimensional image. The present disclosure achieves imaging of a whole sample by dividing the sample into at least one surface layer, dividing the at least one surface layer into at least one sample strip, and imaging each sample strip.

Abstract: An apparatus, a method and a computer program product for defect detection in work pieces is disclosed. At least one light source is provided and the light source generates an illumination light of a wavelength range at which the work piece is transparent. A camera images the light from at least one face of the work piece on a detector of the camera by means of a lens. A stage is used for moving the work piece and for imaging the at least one face of the semiconductor device completely with the camera. The computer program product is disposed on a non-transitory, computer readable medium for defect detection in work pieces. A computer is used to execute the various process steps and to control the various means of the apparatus.

Abstract: The disclosure features methods that include exposing a biological sample to illumination light and measuring light emission from the sample to obtain N sample images, where each sample image corresponds to a different combination of a wavelength band of the illumination light and one or more wavelength bands of the light emission, where the one or more wavelength bands of the light emission define a wavelength range, and where N>1, and exposing the sample to illumination light in a background excitation band and measuring light emission from the sample in a background spectral band to obtain a background image of the sample, where the background spectral band corresponds to a wavelength within the wavelength range.

Abstract: A transdermal oxygen patch measures an oxygen concentration based on transcutaneous oxygen diffusing through an epidermal surface of a patient. Transcutaneous oxygen differs from hemoglobin-bound oxygen often measured in a patient blood flow. The patch employs an indicator responsive to an oxygen presence for emitting light having an intensity and lifetime (duration) based on the oxygen presence. An optical receptor is in communication with logic for receiving the intensity of emitted light and computing the oxygen concentration based on the received intensity and lifetime (duration). A wireless transmitter conveys the results to a base station or monitoring counterpart for untethered patient monitoring. Low power demands and circuit footprint are amenable to a wearable device such as a patch for continuous use.

Abstract: The disclosure features methods that include exposing a biological sample to illumination light and measuring light emission from the sample to obtain N sample images, where each sample image corresponds to a different combination of a wavelength band of the illumination light and one or more wavelength bands of the light emission, where the one or more wavelength bands of the light emission define a wavelength range, and where N>1, and exposing the sample to illumination light in a background excitation band and measuring light emission from the sample in a background spectral band to obtain a background image of the sample, where the background spectral band corresponds to a wavelength within the wavelength range.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for simultaneous imaging and execution of contact-free directed hydrodynamic flow in a specimen. The apparatus includes a laser adapted to dynamically heat the specimen, a microscope with an objective adapted to image at least a part of the specimen and to guide a light beam of the laser into and/or onto the specimen to heat at least one specified location of the specimen, means for manipulating the specified location, and a sample chamber for the specimen that is accessible for imaging radiation and the light beam to allow simultaneous imaging and manipulation of the sample via the objective.

Abstract: A sensing system includes a charge sensor including two electrodes and an electrically conductive channel connecting the two electrodes. The sensing system also includes a charged molecule attached to the electrically conductive channel. The charged molecule includes a recognition site to reversibly bind a label of a labeled nucleotide; has an unbound favored conformation associated with an unbound charge configuration; and has a favored conformation associated with a charge configuration when the recognition site is bound to the label. The charge configuration is different from the unbound charge configuration. The sensing system further includes a polymerase attached to the electrically conductive channel or to the charged molecule.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for sequencing a nucleic acid using an immersion reaction protocol. The immersion reaction protocol comprises sequentially immersing a solid support having nucleic acid molecules immobilized thereon in different reaction containers to realize nucleic acid sequencing.

Abstract: A biosensor is provided. The biosensor includes a substrate, photodiodes, pixelated filters, an excitation light rejection layer and an immobilization layer. The substrate has pixels. The photodiodes are disposed in the substrate and correspond to one of the pixels, respectively. The pixelated filters are disposed on the substrate. The excitation light rejection layer is disposed on the pixelated filter. The immobilization layer is disposed on the excitation light rejection layer.

Abstract: Provided is a flexible transcutaneous oxygen partial pressure sensor which may be closely attached to a skin, be used repeatedly for a long time, and have a highly reliable measurement value. The flexible transcutaneous oxygen partial pressure sensor of the present disclosure includes: an oxygen sensing film having one surface in contact with a skin; a light detecting portion including a light emitting portion which is positioned above a surface opposite to the one surface of the oxygen sensing film and includes a micro-light emitting diode (LED (?-LED)), and a light-receiving portion which includes an organic-photodiode (OPD); and a heater portion positioned between the oxygen sensing film and the light detecting portion, and supplying thermal energy to the skin in contact with the oxygen sensing film.

Abstract: A method for producing a liquid reaction mixture containing a radioisotope, in particular, a radioactive composition, minimizes device contamination with radioactive substances and increase speed and accuracy with which droplets are mixed. The method for producing a radioactive composition includes placing at least one first droplet L1 containing a radionuclide and at least one second droplet L2 containing a labeling substance on at least two respective dimples 5 among dimples 5 on a front surface 4b of an insulating layer 4 of a liquid manipulation device 1, and obtaining a liquid mixture M by using a change in electrostatic force caused by changing voltage applied to the electrodes 3 to thereby cause a relative movement between the at least one first droplet L1 and the at least one second droplet L2 so that the at least one first droplet L1 and the at least one second droplet L2 are mixed together at any one dimple among the dimples 5.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and devices for simple, low power, automated processing of biological samples through multiple sample preparation and assay steps. The methods and devices described facilitate the point-of-care implementation of complex diagnostic assays in equipment-free, non-laboratory settings. The invention includes a microfluidic device comprising a reagent-dispensing unit, a sample extraction device and a specimen processing unit.

Abstract: A fluorescence immunoassay device based on integration of a photonic crystal and magnetic beads and a method thereof are provided. Magnetic beads with high surface-to-volume ratio are used as carriers of fluorescent molecules to obtain higher fluorescence density. The electric field on the surface of the photonic crystal is enhanced through excitation of photonic crystal resonance. The intensity of the fluorescence signal excited by the enhanced electric field is increased. Moreover, through interaction with the photonic crystal, some fluorescent signals that originally cannot be received by the fluorescent sensor are coupled to the photonic crystal resonant modes and reradiate toward the fluorescent sensor, thereby increasing collection efficiency. The fluorescence signals generated by fluorescent molecules on the magnetic beads are significantly intensified, which could lower the detection limit.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are improved methods and systems for sequencing nucleic acid that exploit the temperature-dependence of the emitted intensity of fluorescent dyes. The temperature of the sequencing reaction is adjusted during each sequencing cycle, and the emission, or lack of emission, of light meeting or exceeding a threshold by the fluorescent dyes at different temperatures, or within different temperature ranges, is used to detect the fluorescent labels of the incorporated dNTPs and thereby sequence the nucleic acid. The disclosed methods enable a determination of the dNTP incorporated at any given site with a reasonable number of chemistry steps without the complex optics necessary for prior-art systems.

Abstract: De novo synthesized large libraries of nucleic acids are provided herein with low error rates. Further, devices for the manufacturing of high-quality building blocks, such as oligonucleotides, are described herein. Longer nucleic acids can be synthesized in parallel using microfluidic assemblies. Further, methods herein allow for the fast construction of large libraries of long, high-quality genes. Devices for the manufacturing of large libraries of long and high-quality nucleic acids are further described herein.

Abstract: A measuring device for the measurement of light signals emitted from samples in wells of a microplate, in particular to a luminescence measuring device for measuring luminescence signals. The luminescence measuring device has a first injector with an injector needle having an outlet end for dispensing a reagent into a well, and a luminescence optical device having an optical axis extending substantially perpendicularly to the microplate and a measuring region surrounding the optical axis. The injector needle extends to below the luminescence optical device and opens with its outlet end into the measuring region. The luminescence measuring device has further a spray deflector arranged between the outlet end of the injector and the luminescence optical device.

Abstract: Disclosed are calibration apparatuses for fluorescent microscopy instruments and methods of making and using them. Specifically, disclosed are calibration apparatuses with a fluorescent layer, such as photoresist, deposited on a substrate, with an optional layer of a reflective material, such as chrome. Illumination of the fluorescent and/or reflective layers, and detection and analysis of the resulting emissions allows evaluation of the instrument with respect to both reflective and fluorescent channels. Selection of appropriate fluorescent materials for the one or more fluorescent layers allows the evaluation of an instrument with respect to different fluorophores, as would be used with an instrument capable of two color detection.

Abstract: A system for analyzing a biological sample may include at least one sample acquisition stage comprising a sample acquisition device for acquiring the biological sample from a sample source; a droplet generator device for forming a droplet wrapped in an immiscible carrier fluid, wherein the wrapped droplet comprises at least the biological sample and a reagent, the droplet generator configured to receive the biological sample transferred from the sample acquisition device; a collection vessel for collecting the wrapped sample droplet from the droplet generator, the vessel configured to contain a carrier fluid for receiving and protecting the sample droplet; and an analysis system for analyzing the wrapped sample droplet and detecting products of a polymerase chain reaction.

Abstract: An explosive detection system may include a suction nozzle having a suction port for introducing air containing explosive particles at one end thereof, a discharge nozzle having a discharge port for discharging air at one end thereof, a sensing block in which a detection material capable of detecting explosive particles in the air is disposed, a sensor unit for emitting light to the sensing block and outputting a sensing signal, a first guide pipe connected to the other end of the suction nozzle and guiding the air introduced through the suction nozzle to the sensing block in which the detection material is disposed, a suction force generating unit formed at the other end of the discharge nozzle and to suck air through the suction port and to provide a suction force for sucking air into the sensing block and discharging the air to a discharge port formed at one end of the discharge nozzle, a second guide pipe formed between the sensing block and the suction force generating unit and discharging the air introd

Abstract: A sensor for isolating, identifying, and quantifying one or more analytes in a sample is provided. Also provided are methods of isolating, identifying, and quantifying one or more analytes in a sample, the method including contacting a polymer waveguide with a sample, sequentially heating the polymer waveguide to a plurality of temperature thresholds, obtaining an optical output at each temperature threshold, and analyzing differences in sequentially-obtained optical outputs in order to identify and determine concentrations of individual analytes of interest in the sample.

Abstract: The inventive subject matter provides a method for the incorporation of colored photoluminescent materials to be sprayed on to plants and soils. The incorporation of colored photoluminescent materials assists the spray operator through the use of black lights allowing for more precise low light or nighttime spray and seeding operations. More specifically, this invention relates to a colored photoluminescent adjuvant to be applied to targeted crops, plants and seeds to assist in the low light or nighttime application of bioactive agents, such as chemicals and pesticides. The colored photoluminescent adjuvant can be applied as a solution or a foam.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a compound (L) for selective determination of free cysteine and a process for the preparation thereof. wherein R1 is selected from benzene, toluene, naphthalene and pyrene.

Abstract: The substrate 100 for use in the analysis of a nucleic acid according to the present invention has multiple analysis areas 12 which are partitioned on a substrate 10, and enables the measurement of the analysis areas 12 while interchanging the analysis areas 12 in turn, said substrate 100 being characterized in that each of the analysis areas 12 consists of an adsorption part 13 onto which a DNA fragment or a carrier having the DNA fragment carried thereon can be adsorbed and a non-adsorption part 14 which is a part outside of the adsorption part 13, and the non-adsorption part 14 has, formed on at least a part thereof, a marker part 15 that has a specified shape and helps to identify the positions of the analysis areas 12.

Abstract: A microfluidic sequencing device in which a stream of microdroplets at least some of which contain a single nucleotide base are made to undergo reaction with a capture system to capture and detect an ordered sequence of single nucleotide bases generated by progressive pyrophosphorolysis.

Abstract: The surface plasmon-enhanced fluorescence measurement device has: a light source that irradiates the diffraction grating with a linearly polarized excitation light; a rotating part that changes the direction of the optical axis of the excitation light with respect to the diffraction grating when seen in plan view, or changes the polarization direction of the excitation light with respect to the diffraction grating; a polarizer that extracts linearly polarized light from the fluorescence emitted from the fluorescent substance; and a light detection unit that detects the linearly polarized light extracted by the polarizer.

Abstract: Provided herein is a polymerizable liquid composition useful for additive manufacturing, which composition may include: (i) a free radical photoinitiator; (ii) monomers and/or prepolymers (e.g., reactive diluents) that are polymerizable by exposure to actinic radiation or light, optionally wherein some or all of said monomers and/or prepolymers comprise one or more acid-labile groups; (iii) a chain extender, optionally wherein said chain extender comprises one or more acid-labile groups; and (iv) a photoacid generator, wherein at least one of said monomers and/or prepolymers, or said chain extender, comprises one or more acid-labile groups, and wherein said free radical photoinitiator and said photoacid generator are, or are selected to be, activated by light at different ranges of wavelengths or intensities. Methods of forming a three-dimensional object with the composition, and articles so formed are also provided.

Abstract: Arrays of integrated optical devices and their methods for production are provided. The devices include an integrated bandpass filter layer that comprises at least two multi-cavity filter elements with different central bandpass wavelengths. The device arrays are useful in the analysis of highly multiplexed optical reactions in large numbers at high densities, including biochemical reactions, such as nucleic acid sequencing reactions. The devices provide for the efficient and reliable coupling of optical excitation energy from an optical source to the optical reactions. Optical signals emitted from the reactions can thus be measured with high sensitivity and discrimination. The device arrays are well suited for miniaturization and high throughput.

Abstract: The present disclosure a biochip including a side emitting-type light-emitting device, in which the bio-chip includes: a light-emitting device for emitting light from a fluorescent material; reflective layers provided over and under the light-emitting device so as to emit light from the sides of the light-emitting device; and reaction regions formed by etching of flanking regions of the light-emitting device. In the biochip, light emitted from the sides of the light-emitting device causes a biochemical reaction in the reaction regions. According to the present disclosure, light emitted from the light-emitting device moves only laterally without being transferred to the top or bottom of the bio-layer, and is transferred to the reaction regions formed by etching of flanking regions of the light-emitting device, so that a biochemical reaction in the reaction regions can be more efficiently performed.

Abstract: Automated measurement of fluid solution capacitance in industrial processes to determine solution concentration. Industrial process control transmitters determine solution concentration directly from solution capacitance and confirm concentration determinations based on solution conductivity. The industrial process control transmitters include terminals embodied in wire coils and/or metallic plates, at least one processor, and at least one computer readable memory device.

Abstract: Methods and systems for sorting droplets are provided. In some cases, occupied droplets may be sorted from unoccupied droplets. In some cases, singularly occupied droplets may be sorted from unoccupied droplets and multiply occupied droplets. Methods and systems for sorting cell beads are provided. In some cases, cell beads may be sorted from particles unoccupied with cell derivatives. In some cases, singularly occupied cell beads may be sorted from unoccupied particles and multiply occupied cell beads. Methods and systems for selectively polymerizing droplets based on occupancy and size of the droplets are provided.

Abstract: An apparatus can include a vessel, a reference surface, a preload, a scan actuator, and a transmitter. The reference surface can form a structural loop with a detector. The preload can be configured to urge the vessel to contact an area on the reference surface. The scan actuator can be configured to slide the vessel along the reference surface in a scan dimension. The transmitter can be configured to direct signal from the vessel to a detector and/or direct energy from an energy source to the vessel, when the vessel is urged by the preload to contact the reference surface.

Abstract: An analytical cell includes a first substrate and a second substrate each having a through hole extending in a thickness direction thereof. The first substrate and the second substrate are partially overlapped with each other to form an overlapping portion. In the overlapping portion, a solid state joint is formed by solid state bonding of a first solid portion protruding from the first substrate and a second solid portion protruding from the second substrate, whereby the first substrate and the second substrate are spaced from each other by a predetermined distance, and joined together in a state where the first substrate and the second substrate are positioned to form an observation window. At the observation window, the through holes of the first substrate and the second substrate face each other, and an electron beam is transmitted through the observation window.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an optical fiber for use in a system for detection of one or more compounds in a fluid.

Abstract: A biological indicator analyzer includes a plurality of wells, a plurality of organism detector features, and a user input feature such as a touch screen. Each well is configured to receive a respective biological indicator. Each organism detector feature is configured to detect whether a biological indicator disposed in a corresponding well of the plurality of wells contains a living organism. The touch screen is configured to receive user input and provide information to the user indicating a status of biological indicator analysis. The biological indicator analyzer may be used to analyze a biological indicator that was positioned in a sterilization chamber of a sterilizing cabinet along with at least one medical device that is to be sterilized. The analysis may indicate whether the sterilization cycle in the sterilization chamber as successful.

Abstract: An analysis system includes a fluidic system includes a number of components that are interconnected to form a fluidic system having a plurality of flow paths. An example method of pressure testing the fluidic system includes (a) selecting a flow path from the plurality of flow paths through a flow cell in accordance with a prescribed test protocol; (b) actuating a pump to pressurize a fluid in the selected flow path; (c) generating pressure data representative of the pressure in the selected flow path; and (d) processing the pressure data to determine whether the selected flow path maintains pressure in a desired manner.

Abstract: A nucleic acid sequencing system is provided, including a base provided with a clamping platform, a reagent storage unit, a fluid control unit, a mobile platform and a total reflection microscope thereon; the clamping platform being provided with a gene sequencing chip thereon; the reagent storage unit being configured to store a gene sequencing reagent, the fluid control unit being configured to pump the gene sequencing reagent from the reagent storage unit to the gene sequencing chip, the mobile platform being configured to drive the clamping platform to move toward or away from the total reflection microscope; and the total reflection microscope being configured to detect a gene sequence of a sample in the gene sequencing chip.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to semiconductor devices for detecting fluorescent particles. At least one embodiment relates to an integrated semiconductor device for detecting fluorescent tags. The device includes a first layer, a second layer, a third layer, a fourth layer, and a fifth layer. The first layer includes a detector element. The second layer includes a rejection filter. The third layer is fabricated from dielectric material. The fourth layer is an optical waveguide configured and positioned such that a top surface of the fourth layer is illuminated with an evanescent tail of excitation light guided by the optical waveguide when the fluorescent tags are present. The fifth layer includes a microfluidic channel. The optical waveguide is configured and positioned such that the microfluidic channel is illuminated with the evanescent tail. The detector element is positioned such that light from activated fluorescent tags can be received.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a microfluidic system comprising: a microchannel containing several elements of two non-miscible fluids, the microchannel comprising a droplet (30) containing magnetic particles (M), and a device for generating inside the microchannel magnetic field, said device comprising an activable magnetic element, the activable magnetic element comprising a tip (5,6), the microfluidic system being configured to transport the droplet by flow or by pressure difference.

Abstract: The invention relates to a security feature for safeguarding value documents, comprising particles which are composed of at least two different, spatially separate solid homogeneous phases, wherein each of the phases is detectable and identifiable in a spatially resolved manner by means of a spatially resolving analytical method that is adapted for resolving down to the single-particle level.

Abstract: Methods of characterizing nanoparticles, nanoparticle complexes, and their biomolecular interactions are provided. Concurrent excitation and emission wavelength scans are performed and the optimal fluorescence intensity for the intersect of these wavelengths is determined. The intersect is dependent upon the physical characteristics of the particle and can be used to verify, for example, attachment of biomolecules, amount of biomolecules present, and structure of the attached biomolecule.

Abstract: A System and method for self-checking a fluorometer for failure or deteriorated performance includes fluorescent reference standards mounted on a support to move with respect to one or more fixed fluorometers. The intensity of the fluorescent emission of the fluorescent reference standard is initially measured with the fluorometer, and, after a prescribed interval of usage of the fluorometer, a test measurement of the intensity of the fluorescent emission of the fluorescent standard is taken with the fluorometer. The test measurement is compared to the initial measurement, and failure or deteriorated performance of the fluorometer is determined based on a deviation of the test measurement from the initial measurement.

Abstract: A polarimeter for measuring chirality of a material comprising an optical ring cavity comprising a plurality of reflective elements configured to promote bi-directional propagation of a laser beam within the cavity, a laser-emitting device configured to introduce a first input beam and a second input beam into the cavity, a Faraday rotator, a phase compensator, an acousto-optic modulator configured to shift the frequency of the first output beam, an optical recombination device configured to recombine shifted and unshifted output beams, and first and second detectors configured to receive the recombined beams, wherein the plurality of reflective elements, Faraday rotator, and phase compensator are configured such that light from the first and second input beams passes through a chiral material located within the cavity a sufficient number of times for a measurement of optical rotary dispersion and circular dichroism of light transmitted through the material to be obtained at the detectors.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for determining trace amounts of water in oil, including the steps of obtaining a blended sample of a low water content fluid including an amount of water and an amount of oil, transferring a portion of the blended sample to a cuvette to create a measurement sample, covering a viewing surface of the cuvette with an opaque sheet with a slit, providing a barrier with a fixed opening between a laser source and a laser-receptive surface of the cuvette, transmitting a pulsed laser beam from the laser source into the cuvette; inducing fluorescence in the measurement sample, focusing the fluorescence through a collecting lens and transmitting the fluorescence to a spectrometer, and measuring the fluorescence with the spectrometer by dispersing the fluorescence with a spectrograph and intensifying the fluorescence with an intensified charge coupled device.

Abstract: Methods and products for analyzing polymers are provided. The methods include methods for determining various other structural properties of the polymers.

Abstract: A system for increasing light throughput in cavity enhanced spectrometry, and a model for cavity enhanced absorption measurements are presented. The cavity has an entrance mirror, an opposed exit mirror and a detector positioned adjacent the exit mirror. An input aperture is defined in the entrance mirror to allow light from a source to enter the cavity. The input aperture improves light throughput without significant departure from the theoretically predicted amplification of absorbance. This results in improvement of detection limits, even with mirrors of modest reflectivity and inexpensive detectors.

Abstract: A chemical sensor according to an embodiment of the present technology includes a substrate, a low refractive index layer, a high refractive index layer, and a light detection unit. The low refractive index layer is laminated on the substrate and has a second refractive index smaller than a first refractive index that is a refractive index of a detection target object. The high refractive index layer is laminated on the low refractive index layer, has a third refractive index larger than the first refractive index, and includes a holding surface on which the detection target object is held, and illumination light propagates therein. The light detection unit is provided on the substrate and detects detection target light generated from the detection target object by the illumination light.

Abstract: Methodology for determining optical functions of thin films with enhanced sensitivity to “p” polarized electromagnetic radiation reflected from both interfaces of an absorbing film.

Abstract: A fluorescence detection assembly that includes an emitter, a detector, a housing that defines an light chamber, a fluorescence chamber and a well, a light path that extends from the emitter, through the light chamber and through the well, and a fluorescence path that extends from the well, through the fluorescence chamber and to the detector.

Abstract: An illumination device includes an excitation light source which emits excitation light, a wavelength converter which generates fluorescent light having a wavelength different from that of the excitation light through the excitation of the excitation light and a light path-splitting member including a first filter and a second filter arranged to alternately come across a light path of the excitation light, wherein the first filter reflects one of the excitation light and the fluorescent light and transmits the other of the excitation light and the fluorescent light, the second filter transmits light reflected by the first filter and reflects light transmitted through the first filter, and the wavelength converter is disposed in a reflection light path or a transmission light path of the excitation light.

Abstract: Explosives detection polymers are provided that include a polyamine polymer, such as polyethylenimine, functionalized with a small molecule fluorophore. Methods for detecting an explosive material using polyamine polymers functionalized with a small molecule fluorophore are also provided. Sensors for explosive detection are provided that include a polyamine polymer functionalized with a small molecule fluorophore and a complementary analytical device.