Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for using atomic force microscopy for profiling high aspect ratio features. Probe landing techniques include scanning prior to bringing the probe into contact with the feature. In one embodiment, the probe assembly cantilever is brought into contact with the feature and subsequent scanning is used to locate the feature with the probe. In another embodiment, the probe is moved in a scanning pattern in progressively lower horizontal planes until the probe contacts the sample feature. Also described is a deconvolution technique for deconvolving the sample image and a technique for measuring the tip radius of the feature.

Abstract: A CCD imaging system is provided, including a short focal length lens for accepting light from the scene to be imaged and a charge storage medium having a charge storage substrate that is curved in a selected nonplanar focal surface profile and located a selected distance from the lens with the focal surface facing the lens, the focal surface profile and the lens-to-substrate distance selected such that the light accepted by the lens is in focus at the position of the substrate. There is provided a support substrate on which the nonplanar charge storage substrate is supported to maintain the selected surface profile of the charge storage substrate.

Abstract: The present invention provides reagents, kits and methods for identifying and characterizing interactions between proteins and/or polypeptides. The inventive system and methods allow analysis of these interactions in vivo in eukaryotic systems, including mammalian systems. Advantages provided by various embodiments of the inventive system and methods as compared with other systems and methods for analyzing interactions between proteins or polypeptides, such as the yeast two-hybrid system, include (i) reduced ambiguity associated with identification of a potential interaction; (ii) ability to identify or study interactions that occur outside the nucleus; (iii) absence of reliance on reporter genes; and/or (iv) ability to study interactions with polypeptides that have transcriptional activation activity.

Abstract: A device for creating a visual display including a base, a container supported by the base and holding light transmitting liquids, and a light source disposed in the base, a pump mounted to the base and in fluid communication with the container; at least two immiscible liquids disposed in the container, the liquids having different densities; and a control circuit coupled to the pump to provide signals that cause the pump to inject a first one of the at least two immiscible liquids into a second one of the at least two liquids to produce a visual display.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of polarized light to measure properties of tissue. More particularly, polarized light can be used to detect dysplasia in tissue as the polarization of back-scattered light from such tissues is preserved while the contribution of diffusely scattered light from underlying tissues can be removed. A fiber optic system for delivery and collection of light can be used to measure tissues within the human body.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for making chimeric zinc finger proteins with improved linkers, providing zinc finger proteins with enhanced affinity and specificity.

Abstract: A Wireless Location System includes signal collection systems and location processors for processing digital data provided by the signal collection systems. To determine the geographic location of a mobile wireless transmitter, time difference of arrival, or TDOA, data is determined with respect to a plurality of first signal collection system/antenna second signal collection system/antenna baselines. A method for selecting baselines for use in location processing comprises calculating a number of parameters for each of the plurality of baselines, and including in a final location solution only those baselines meeting or exceeding predefined threshold criteria for each of the parameters.

Abstract: A high-gain, saturated output, double-pass, fault-tolerant optical amplifier has an extended range of stability, output power, and efficiency and fall back modes of operation. The optical amplifier is typically configured in a two-stage polarization maintaining configuration, employing erbium-doped fibers as the gain media in both of the stages. At least one optical element in a loss-insensitive region of the amplifier can have a loss substantially higher than optical elements in the gain paths outside of the loss-insensitive region without substantially reducing the overall output power and efficiency of the amplifier. These elements can influence the amplified signal waveform, spectrum, signal-to-noise ratio, or subsequent performance in an optical network, as well as amplifier characteristics, such as output power, stability, efficiency, and reliability. The optical amplifier is suitable for both free-space and fiber optic network applications.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods and products for characterizing and using polysaccharides. Low molecular weight heparin products and methods of use are described. Methods for characterizing purity and activity of polysaccharide preparations including glycosaminoglycans such as heparin are also described.

Abstract: Agile steering of a laser beam using a pair of complementary optical elements which are mechanically translated. The elements consist of pixelated steps of varying depth. Structure is provided to steer a laser beam by translating one element with respect to the other element by a distance that is an integer multiple of the step width.

Abstract: Provided herein are chimeric zinc finger proteins comprising flexible linkers of at least 6 amino acids in length. Also provided are methods of making and using these chimeric zinc finger proteins.

Abstract: A display system includes a substrate upon which the display system is fabricated; a printable electrooptic display material, such as a microencapsulated electrophoretic suspension; electrodes (typically based on a transparent, conductive ink) arranged in an intersecting pattern to allow specific elements or regions of the display material to be addressed; insulating layers, as necessary, deposited by printing; and an array of nonlinear elements that facilitate matrix addressing. The nonlinear devices may include printed, particulate Schottky diodes, particulate PN diodes, particulate varistor material, silicon films formed by chemical reduction, or polymer semiconductor films. All elements of the display system may be deposited using a printing process.

Abstract: A spectroscopic method for characterizing a sample including: positioning the sample adjacent to a non-centrosymmetric material; directing at least one temporal pulse of coherent EM radiation into the non-centrosymmetric material to generate a polariton therein and cause EM radiation from the polariton to propagate into the sample, wherein the polariton has a frequency less than or equal to the bandwidth of the pulse; and measuring a response of the sample to the EM radiation from the polariton.

Abstract: All-optical bit phase sensors that utilize nonlinear interferometers are described. An all-optical bit phase sensor that utilizes an optical fiber and a detector optically coupled to the core of the fiber, perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the core, is described. In addition, an electrooptic bit phase sensor that utilizes a semiconductor diode and an electrical detector electrically coupled to the active layer is described. Electrooptical and all-optical phase lock loops, optical processors, and optical networks that utilize these bit phase sensing are also described.

Abstract: Methods disclosed herein capitalize on the ability of DNA Structure Specific Recognition Proteins (SSRPs) to bind to genomic lesions formed by chemotherapeutic agents, particularly cisplatin-type agents. Methods are provided for predicting whether an agent that damages DNA will also be cytotoxic, and for predicting whether particular eukaryotic cells will be susceptible to killing by a genotoxic drug. A screening method is provided for identifying new genotoxic drugs that produce SSRP-recognized lesions in DNA. Methods also are provided for sensitizing particular eukaryotic cells to killing by chemotherapeutic agents, particularly cisplatin-type drugs.

Abstract: A new mold solves problems that arise from differential changes in geometry inherent to casting metal in a ceramic mold, by control of the internal morphology between the surfaces of the mold that face the casting, and that face the external environment. Layered fabrication techniques are used to create a ceramic mold. For example, an internal geometry composed of a cellular arrangement of voids may be created within the mold wall. Structures may be designed and fabricated so that the ceramic mold fails at an appropriate time during the solidification and/or cooling of the casting. Thus, the casting itself is not damaged. The mold fails to avoid rupture, or even distortion, of the casting.

Abstract: A novel encoding system and methods for determining the location and/or identity of a particular item or component of interest is provided. In particular, the present invention utilizes a “barcode” comprising one or more sizes of semiconductor nanocrystals (quantum dots) having characteristic spectral emissions, to either “track” the location of a particular item of interest or to identify a particular item of interest. The semiconductor nanocrystals used in the inventive “barcoding” scheme can be tuned to a desired wavelength to produce a characteristic spectral emission in narrow spectral widths, and with a symmetric, nearly Gaussian line shape, by changing the composition and size of the quantum dot. Additionally, the intensity of the emission at a particular characteristic wavelength can also be varied, thus enabling the use of binary or higher order encoding schemes.

Abstract: Matrices that include a macrostructure having a semi-solid network and voids, and a microstructure having voids, in which the microstructure is located within the semi-solid network are disclosed. Methods for preparing these matrices are also disclosed.

Abstract: An accelerometer facilitates optical, interferometric measurement of acceleration. The device includes a proof mass having a first set of spaced-apart, elongated fingers projecting therefrom, and a stationary housing or substrate comprising a second set of similarly arranged projecting fingers. A spring connects the proof mass to the substrate such that, in a rest configuration, the first and second set of fingers interdigitate. When the structure is accelerated, the substrate fingers remain stationary, while the alternating fingers of the proof mass are displaced therefrom. This creates a phase-sensitive diffraction grating which, when illuminated, facilitates determination of the relative displacement between the sets of fingers by measuring the intensity of the diffracted modes. This displacement, in turn, indicates the acceleration experienced by the accelerometer structure.

Abstract: Tags encode information by means of spatial inhomogeneities that may be detected in the time domain; in effect, characteristics in space are transformed into time for sensing purposes. Such tags may be very inexpensively produced yet carry appreciable quantities of data. The inhomogeneities may be obtained by simple physical modifications to, or externally applied field biases operating on, materials that are very inexpensive to procure.