Abstract: Disclosed is a novel composition of matter that provides highly efficient energy conversion from NIR to NIR wavelengths, with either up-, down-, or both up- and down-converting transitions. Disclosed is a composition having the molecular formula NaYF4:YbxTmyNdz, where 0?x?0.98, 0?y?0.02, and 0?z?0.06. Also disclosed is a core-shell structure, wherein the core is a composition having the molecular formula NaYF4:YbxTmyNdz, where 0?x?0.98, 0?y?0.02, and 0?z?0.06, and the shell is composition having the molecular formula NaYF4:Ndw, where 0?w?0.1.

Abstract: The present disclosure is drawn to a method and system for the excitation, identification, and authentication of light emitting materials using a mobile device comprising at least one Vertical Cavity Surface Emitting Laser (VCSEL), for use in a variety of applications.

Abstract: Disclosed is a hand-held optical apparatus and method for using the apparatus to activate and detect optical emissive materials as part of a safety interlock system. Typically, the hand-held optical apparatus will include one or more light sources capable of emitting at least one wavelength of light towards an optical emissive material, a light detector capable of detecting a response from the optical emissive material, and control circuitry configured to cause at least one of the one or more light sources to emit the at least one wavelength at a power density less than a predetermined threshold, receive a signal from the light detector representing a detected response, and repeat until the microprocessor determines the detected response matches an expected response.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for on- and off-site tagging of fracking sand and a composition of matter capable of being utilized in that process. The composition of matter includes a linker polymer conjugated to a rare earth particle. The method involves forming two mixtures, a first involving mixing a linker polymer conjugated to a rare earth particle into an aqueous blend of fracking sand, and a second involving an activated amine terminated polymer in an aqueous solution. The second mixture is then added to the first mixture, and covalent amide bonds are formed.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a card having (i) an infrared-blocking material capable of blocking a plurality of near infrared wavelengths and (ii) at least one phosphor particle capable of absorbing at least one near-infrared wavelength, and a card reader capable of allowing a user to interrogate the card and determine if it is authentic, and to read information from the card. The card reader typically includes a processor configured to cause the card reader to emit at least one wavelength of light, receive at least one additional wavelength of light emitting by the at least one phosphor particle, and identify at least one characteristic of the at least one phosphor particle selected from the group consisting of a location on the card, a rise time of the phosphor, and a decay time of the phosphor.

Abstract: Physical authentication devices and systems using such devices may be provided. A device may include a first substrate having first and second surfaces, and an NFC circuit coupled to the first substrate. The NFC circuit may be configured to transmit first information. The device may include a transparent second substrate coupled to the first surface. The device may include a plurality of rare earth phosphors positioned in or on the substrate, such as within the transparent second substrate or between the first substrate and the transparent second substrate. Each rare earth phosphor may be configured to emit at least one wavelength of light when irradiated with an irradiating wavelength of light, the irradiating wavelength being different from the at least one wavelength of light. In some embodiments, a magnet may be coupled to the second surface. In some embodiments, the transparent second substrate may be adhered to the first substrate.

Abstract: A cooperative vehicle-highway communication system allows vehicles and pedestrians to determine their location by sensing selected coatings on roadways, sidewalks, and other paved surfaces in both indoor and outdoor environments. The systems recognize intelligent materials under sensors to determine geo-location. The intelligent materials are incorporated into paints on the roadway surface to mark key locations. Additionally, vehicles recognize highway paint/markings and signs with intelligent paint that provide specialized message content to support driver information and control applications. The intelligent paint materials include a coating that absorbs light while converting the absorbed light to electromagnetic energy. This electromagnetic energy is read by sensors to recognize the materials.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a card having (i) an infrared-blocking material capable of blocking a plurality of near infrared wavelengths and (ii) at least one phosphor particle capable of absorbing at least one near-infrared wavelength, and a card reader capable of allowing a user to interrogate the card and determine if it is authentic, and to read information from the card. The card reader typically includes a processor configured to cause the card reader to emit at least one wavelength of light, receive at least one additional wavelength of light emitting by the at least one phosphor particle, and identify at least one characteristic of the at least one phosphor particle selected from the group consisting of a location on the card, a rise time of the phosphor, and a decay time of the phosphor.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system and method for interrogating a photo-responsive material, such as for authentication purposes, utilizing a light source to illuminate a photo-responsive material, a detector to capture an emission from the photo-responsive material, and a processor to receive a response from the detector while the photo-responsive material is being illuminated after a maximum response has been received, then measuring a change in the received response.

Abstract: Disclosed is a hand-held optical apparatus and method for using the apparatus to activate and detect optical emissive materials as part of a safety interlock system. Typically, the hand-held optical apparatus will include one or more light sources capable of emitting at least one wavelength of light towards an optical emissive material, a light detector capable of detecting a response from the optical emissive material, and control circuitry configured to cause at least one of the one or more light sources to emit the at least one wavelength at a power density less than a predetermined threshold, receive a signal from the light detector representing a detected response, and repeat until the microprocessor determines the detected response matches an expected response.

Abstract: The present disclosure is drawn to a method and system for the excitation, identification, and authentication of light emitting materials using a mobile device comprising at least one Vertical Cavity Surface Emitting Laser (VCSEL), for use in a variety of applications.

Abstract: New methods and assays for multiplexed detection of analytes using phosphors that are uniform in morphology, size, and composition based on their unique optical lifetime signatures are described herein. The described assays and methods can be used for imaging or detection of multiple unique chemical or biological markers simultaneously in a single assay readout.

Abstract: A system and method for lateral flow assays, utilizing a test strip having at least three sections, where the second section contains multiple test lines arranged at an angle to the direction of flow, each test line configured to capture at least one conjugated rare earth particle bound to an analyte of interest, where the test strip is configured to be read in a direction perpendicular to the direction of flow.

Abstract: A rapid diagnostic test strip, system, and methodology are disclosed. The test strips utilize a sample pad on a proximal portion of a substrate. When a sample (potentially containing various analytes) is provided to the sample pad, it is transported to a conjugate release pad located distally from the sample pad. The conjugate release pad includes two or more targeted materials, where each targeted material includes an upconverting rare-earth particle capable of conjugating to an analyte. The conjugated analytes are then transported distally along the test strip, where they may bind to one or more test lines. An absorbent pad is located distally from the test lines. The one or more test lines can the be briefly illuminated with one or more specific wavelengths of light that the rare-earth particles absorb, and the rare-earth particles then emit a response that can be detected and measured.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system and method for interrogating a photo-responsive material, such as for authentication purposes, utilizing a light source to illuminate a photo-responsive material, a detector to capture an emission from the photo-responsive material, and a processor to receive a response from the detector while the photo-responsive material is being illuminated after a maximum response has been received, then measuring a change in the received response.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for on- and off-site tagging of fracking sand and a composition of matter capable of being utilized in that process. The composition of matter includes a linker polymer conjugated to a rare earth particle. The method involves forming two mixtures, a first involving mixing a linker polymer conjugated to a rare earth particle into an aqueous blend of fracking sand, and a second involving an activated amine terminated polymer in an aqueous solution. The second mixture is then added to the first mixture, and covalent amide bonds are formed.

Abstract: Disclosed is a novel composition of matter that provides highly efficient energy conversion from NIR to NIR wavelengths, with either up-, down-, or both up- and down-converting transitions. Disclosed is a composition having the molecular formula NaYF4:YbxTmyNdz, where 0?x?0.98, 0?y?0.02, and 0?z?0.06. Also disclosed is a core-shell structure, wherein the core is a composition having the molecular formula NaYF4:YbxTmyNdz, where 0?x?0.98, 0?y?0.02, and 0?z?0.06, and the shell is composition having the molecular formula NaYF4:Ndw, where 0?w?0.1.

Abstract: A cooperative vehicle-highway communication system allows vehicles and pedestrians to determine their location by sensing selected coatings on roadways, sidewalks, and other paved surfaces in both indoor and outdoor environments. The systems recognize intelligent materials under sensors to determine geo-location. The intelligent materials are incorporated into paints on the roadway surface to mark key locations. Additionally, vehicles recognize highway paint/markings and signs with intelligent paint that provide specialized message content to support driver information and control applications. The intelligent paint materials include a coating that absorbs light while converting the absorbed light to electromagnetic energy. This electromagnetic energy is read by sensors to recognize the materials.

Abstract: A cooperative vehicle-highway communication system allows vehicles and pedestrians to determine their location by sensing selected coatings on roadways, sidewalks, and other paved surfaces in both indoor and outdoor environments. The systems recognize intelligent materials under sensors to determine geo-location. The intelligent materials are incorporated into paints on the roadway surface to mark key locations. Additionally, vehicles recognize highway paint/markings and signs with intelligent paint that provide specialized message content to support driver information and control applications. The intelligent paint materials include a coating that absorbs light while converting the absorbed light to electromagnetic energy. This electromagnetic energy is read by sensors to recognize the materials.

Abstract: Monodisperse particles having: a single pure crystalline phase of a rare earth-containing lattice, a uniform three-dimensional size, and a uniform polyhedral morphology are disclosed. Due to their uniform size and shape, the monodisperse particles self assemble into superlattices. The particles may be luminescent particles such as down-converting phosphor particles and up-converting phosphors. The monodisperse particles of the invention have a rare earth-containing lattice which in one embodiment may be an yttrium-containing lattice or in another may be a lanthanide-containing lattice. The monodisperse particles may have different optical properties based on their composition, their size, and/or their morphology (or shape).