Abstract: A method for sensing physical, chemical, and biological characteristics of an environment is provided. The method comprises using a radio frequency identification (RFID) sensor component having a predetermined range of power initiation levels and having predetermined resonant circuit parameters comprising the steps of activating the RFID sensor component and determining whether a range of power levels, needed for activating the sensor component, is below the predetermined range of power initiation levels; sensing at least one of the physical, chemical, and biological characteristics of the environment; quantifying the sensed characteristic of the environment using one or more selected resonant parameters, wherein the selection of parameters is based in part on the range of power levels needed to activate the sensor.

Abstract: An inorganic membrane device is provided. The device comprises a substrate having a network of pores, and a membrane layer at least partially coupled to the substrate and having a plurality of pores, wherein the pores have an aspect ratio in a range from about 1:2 to about 1:100.

Abstract: An isolated polypeptide, Z domain, derived from B domain of Staphylococcal protein A, comprising a pair of anti-parallel alpha helices that are capable of binding a target, is provided herein. Introduction of an engineered disulfide bridge between two natural or un-natural amino acids in the polypeptide is provided here. Also provided are methods of using the two-helix binders.

Abstract: A method and system for fluorescence imaging of a target in a subject comprising a scattering medium is provided. The method comprises illuminating one or more points on a surface of the scattering medium using an illumination source, wherein the plurality of points define an illumination region, collecting emitted light from an illumination region and an area away from the illumination region, and generating an image of the scattering medium using the emitted light.