Abstract: Herein we disclose a composition, comprising a Cn-Ab, wherein Cn is a fullerene or nanotube comprising n carbon atoms, and Ab is a moiety comprising an antigen-binding site and is linked to the Cn. The composition can further comprise a therapeutic molecule associated with the Cn-Ab. Also, we disclose a method of treating a disease in a mammal, comprising administering to the mammal an effective amount of the composition.

Abstract: Measurement equipment may be calibrated using two different calibration paths. An initial calibration is performed using a calibration path in which an optical element may be coupled for testing after the initial calibration. Once the initial calibration has been performed and the optical element operatively-connected in the main path for testing, one or more re-calibrations occur using another calibration path. The optical element being tested need not be de-coupled during the re-calibration. Each calibration operation produces error correction matrices which are used to correct the measurement matrix generated by the test equipment for the optical element being tested.

Abstract: Additive particles may be employed in sufficient amounts to impart superhydrophobicity to a coating system in which the additive particles are incorporated. The additive particles include carrier microparticles and a dense plurality of nanoparticles adhered to the surfaces of the carrier microparticles (e.g., preferably by electrostatic deposition or covalent bonding). The additive particles are advantageously incorporated into a coating material (e.g., a polymeric material) in amounts sufficient to render a substrate surface superhydrophobic when coated with the coating material. The substrate may be rigid (e.g., glass, ceramic or metal) or flexible (e.g., a polymeric film or sheet or a fabric). In some preferred embodiments, both the microparticle and nanoparticles are formed of silica and are surface treated with a hydrophobic treatment so as to impart superhydrophobic properties thereto.

Abstract: An exemplary optical limiter device (100) has an optically transmissive substrate (102) and a layer (104) on a first surface (106) of the substrate, the layer having a trimetallic nitride endohedral metallofullerene. The layer can be a thin film of the trimetallic nitride endohedral metallofullerene, a layer material with a cavity containing a solution with the trimetallic nitride endohedral metallofullerene, a sol-gel with a trimetallic nitride endohedral metallofullerene, and a self assembled monolayer with a trimetallic nitride endohedral metallofullerene. The layers of trimetallic nitride endohedral metallofullerenes can be vapor deposited, solution deposited and/or self assembled onto optical components. The third-order nonlinear properties of these films provide desired transmission characteristics.

Abstract: An interferometric sensing arrangement includes an interferometric sensor having an optical path length that varies depending on one or more physical parameters to be measured using the interferometric sensor. One or more light sources are used to generate light at three or more predetermined different fixed wavelengths. In a preferred example embodiment, four fixed wavelength lasers are used to generate light at four predetermined different fixed wavelengths. An optical coupler couples the multiple wavelength light to the interferometric sensor, and a detector measures an amplitude response of an interferometric signal produced by the interferometric sensor. A controller determines the optical path length based on the measured amplitude response.

Abstract: Sensors, methods and systems detect physical effects (e.g., corrosion, erosion, scaling and/or oxidation) of a fluid in contact with a diaphragm associated with a sensor assembly. The diaphragm preferably exhibits a first mechanical response when initially placed into contact with a fluid and a second mechanical response different from the first mechanical response after exposure to the fluid for a predetermined period of time. A change in the diaphragm mechanical responses between at least the first and second mechanical responses is therefore indicative of physical effects on the diaphragm over time caused by the fluid in contact therewith. A mechanical response sensor is operatively associated with the diaphragm so as to measure the change in the diaphragm mechanical responses and thereby determine the physical effects over time of the fluid in contact with the diaphragm.

Abstract: A portion of a polarization maintaining (PM) optical fiber having two polarization states is analyzed. First and second spectral responses of the PM fiber portion are determined. In a preferred implementation, the spectral responses are determined using Optical Frequency Domain Reflectometry (OFDR). Each polarization state of the PM fiber portion has a corresponding spectral component in the first spectral response. First and second spectral analyses of the PM fiber portion are performed using the first and second spectral responses. Based on those spectral analyses of the PM fiber portion, a first physical characteristic affecting the PM fiber portion is determined that is distinct from a second different physical characteristic affecting the fiber portion. Example physical characteristics include temperature and strain. An output signal related to the first physical characteristics affecting the fiber portion is provided, e.g., for display, further processing, etc.

Abstract: The technology described here enables the use of an inexpensive laser to measure an interferometric response of an optical device under test (DUT) at reflection lengths significantly greater than the coherence length of the laser. This is particularly beneficial in practical interferometric applications where cost is a concern. In other words, inexpensive lasers having shorter coherence lengths may be used to achieve very high interferometric measurements at longer DUT reflection lengths. The technology also enables the use of such inexpensive lasers to measure Rayleigh scatter in commercial-grade, single-mode optical fiber.

Abstract: A digital pulsed phase locked loop (DPPLL) provides exact measurements of echo phase, time, and/or position delay as well as echo amplitude. These exact measurements provide better and more reliable results that directly benefit the many real world applications for the DPPLL. The DPPLL permits simultaneous tracking of multiple echo pulses and considerably improved echo selection and sampling.

Abstract: An impact-resistant thermal sensitive material comprising at least one indicator dispersed throughout a heat-sensitive matrix material is provided. An article comprising the impact-resistant thermal sensitive material undergoes a permanent color change when exposed to a pre-determined temperature.

Abstract: Acoustic weight or mass sensing technology (referred to here as Acoustic Weigh In Motion (AWIN)) provides accurate weighing of any type of moving load moving over a load bearing medium. Acoustic transducers are affixed to or embedded in the load bearing medium. One or more source acoustic transducers propagate an acoustic wave over an acoustic path through the medium between the source and receiver transducers when the medium is in an unloaded state. The wave is detected at one or more receiving acoustic transducers. A propagation time delay is determined for the unloaded state. When a moving load travels over the acoustic path in the medium, the acoustic propagation time delay for that loaded state is determined. The difference between the acoustic propagation time delays for the unloaded and loaded states is determined. That acoustic propagation time delay difference is used to determine the weight or mass of the moving load.

Abstract: Complex data is obtained from OFDR backscatter measurements for an optical device under test (DUT). That complex scatter pattern data may be used along with a previously-determined fiber segment pattern to identify the fiber segment within the DUT, even when the DUT is an optical network DUT that includes multiple fibers coupled to perform one or more functions. In other non-limiting example applications, the OFDR scatter pattern data can be used to identify where in the DUT a loss occurred and where in the DUT a temperature change occurred.

Abstract: Ultrasonic pulse echo object classification is described. A broadband ultrasound transducer transmits a broadband ultrasound pulse towards the object and detecting an associated ultra sound echo of that pulse from the object. An ultrasound receiver receives the detected echo signal. A signal processor, coupled to the ultrasound receivers determines and analyzes a time duration parameter and a frequency parameter (and possibly one or more other parameters like amplitude and/or phase) of the detected echo signal and classifies the object as a solid or liquid or as gaseous based on the parameters of the detected echo signal.

Abstract: Synthetic textile articles (e.g., filaments, fibers, yarns, fabrics and the like) and processes of making the same are provided which include flame-retardant SAP particles. The SAP particles are most preferably hydrated with an aqueous flame-retardant solution. In this regard, the flame-retardant solution may consist essentially of water alone or a water solution containing one or more water soluble inorganic flame retardants. When SAP particles are hydrated with an aqueous inorganic flame retardant solution, the SAP particles may thereafter be dried to remove substantially the water component. In such a manner, the inorganic flame retardant will remain as a dried residue physically entrained within the SAP particles. As such, the SAP particles serve as a physical matrix in which the inorganic flame retardant is homogenously dispersed. The SAP particles may then be chemically or physically affixed to the textile article in an amount sufficient to render the article flame-retardant.

Abstract: Described herein are steroid derivatives of fullerene moieties, for example fullerene derivatives in which cholesterol, or a cholesterol moiety, is attached via ester, amide, or ether bonds to one of a variety of “linkers,” e.g., chemical groups including alkyl chains and aromatic groups, which are then connected to the fullerene moiety. The steroid moiety can confers useful solubility in components of biological fluids and/or pharmacologically acceptable carriers and can also affect the biodistribution of the fullerenes which makes the derivatives useful in imaging, diagnosis and the treatment or management of disease or complications of disease states.

Abstract: A fiber optic position and/or shape sensing device includes an optical fiber with either two or more single core optical fibers or a multi-core optical fiber having two or more fiber cores. In either case, the fiber cores are spaced apart so that mode coupling between the fiber cores is reduced, and preferably, minimized. The optical fiber is physically associated with an object. Strain on at least a portion of the optical fiber where it is associated with the object is determined by an OFDR using one or more Rayleigh scatter patterns for that portion of the optical fiber. The determined strain is used to determine a position and/or a shape of the object.

Abstract: Described herein are pharmaceutically acceptable compositions comprising fullerene molecules dispersed in vesicles comprising phosphatidylcholine (PC) phospholipid molecules and non-PC phospholipid molecules suspended in aqueous solution. In preferred embodiments, the phospholipid molecules are substantially uniformly organized into vesicles composed of one or more lipid bilayers and the fullerene molecules are substantially uniformly distributed within the lipid bilayers of the vesicles. Methods of forming these fullerene containing liposomes are also described. Such fullerene containing liposomes provide carriers for delivery of fullerenes for cosmetic, therapeutic, and imaging applications among other uses.

Abstract: Described herein are synthetically modified fullerene molecules, wherein the fullerene is preferably ellipsoid in shape with an equatorial band and two opposing poles, comprising an adduct at one or both poles, at least one adduct being a hydrophobic chemical moiety capable of anchoring the fullerene on or in a lipid membrane.

Abstract: A passive sensor that is located on or adjacent to a structure that can be used to monitor the affect of environment on a structure or coating that is used to protect the structure. The sensor includes a parasitic element that interacts with the environment and influences the intensity of the electromagnetic response between the inductive element of the sensor and the antenna of the interrogation reader device. The condition of the parasitic element is determined by the radio frequency interaction of the reader antenna and the inductive element of the sensor. The parasitic element condition correlates to the environmental severity, or corrosivity of the environment and damage to metallic structures or protective coatings. An integrated circuit within the sensor is capable of storing identification, time, material, and measurement information. The sensor and system of the present invention is useful for tracking and monitoring cumulate environmental damage to a structure.

Abstract: Acoustic temperature measurement at a remote location is provided. An acoustic source transmits acoustic radiation to an acoustic receiver along an acoustic path. The path passes through or near the remote location. The temperature is non-uniform along the path. A change in an integrated acoustic delay between the source and receiver along the path is measured. This acoustic delay can be either a phase velocity delay or a group velocity delay. The temperature at the remote location is determined by relating the measured change in integrated acoustic delay to the remote location temperature with a combined thermal-acoustic model. The combined model relates temperature to acoustic propagation velocity along the path. The combined model preferably includes temperatures of the source and receiver locations, and a heat source geometry at the remote location.