Abstract: The present invention provides a series of systems, devices, and methods relating to the determination of explosives, such as peroxides or peroxide precursors, and other species. Embodiments of the invention may allow a sample suspected of containing an explosive (e.g., a peroxide) or other species to interact with a reactant, wherein the sample may react and cause light emission from the reactant. Advantages of the present invention may include the simplification of devices for determination of peroxide-based explosives, wherein the devices are portable and, in some cases, disposable. Other advantages may include relative ease of fabrication and operation.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for providing a tunable absorption-emission band in a wavelength selective device are disclosed. A device for selectively absorbing incident electromagnetic radiation includes an electrically conductive surface layer including an arrangement of multiple surface elements. The surface layer is disposed at a nonzero height above a continuous electrically conductive layer. An electrically isolating intermediate layer defines a first surface that is in communication with the electrically conductive surface layer. The continuous electrically conductive backing layer is provided in communication with a second surface of the electrically isolating intermediate layer. When combined with an infrared source, the wavelength selective device emits infrared radiation in at least one narrow band determined by a resonance of the device. In some embodiments, the device includes a control feature that allows the resonance to be selectively modified.

Abstract: The current invention provides a detector and method suitable for sensing vapor-phase hydrogen peroxide. The detector utilizes a chemiluminescent material comprising a peroxide reactive compound, a dye and a solvent. Upon reaction with hydrogen peroxide, the chemiluminescent material will generate detectible light.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for providing a tunable absorption-emission band in a wavelength selective device are disclosed. A device for selectively absorbing incident electromagnetic radiation includes an electrically conductive surface layer including an arrangement of multiple surface elements. The surface layer is disposed at a nonzero height above a continuous electrically conductive layer. An electrically isolating intermediate layer defines a first surface that is in communication with the electrically conductive surface layer. The continuous electrically conductive backing layer is provided in communication with a second surface of the electrically isolating intermediate layer. When combined with an infrared source, the wavelength selective device emits infrared radiation in at least one narrow band determined by a resonance of the device. In some embodiments, the device includes a control feature that allows the resonance to be selectively modified.

Abstract: The improved analyte collection device is adjustable between two separate and distinct configurations. The first configuration enhances analyte collection by precluding undesired gas flow from around the sampling device. The second configuration enhances analyte collection by extending and focusing gas flow into the sampling device. Additionally, the current invention provides methods for collecting analyte from the surface of objects or the atmosphere.

Abstract: The present invention provides a series of systems, devices, and methods relating to the determination of explosives, such as peroxides or peroxide precursors, and other species. Embodiments of the invention may allow a sample suspected of containing an explosive (e.g., a peroxide) or other species to interact with a reactant, wherein the sample may react and cause light emission from the reactant. Advantages of the present invention may include the simplification of devices for determination of peroxide-based explosives, wherein the devices are portable and, in some cases, disposable. Other advantages may include relative ease of fabrication and operation.

Abstract: This invention generally relates to optical devices that can collect and detect signal emissions effectively while allowing the excitation light path and the sample flow path to coexist non-obstructively in a compact format. More specifically, this invention relates to a compact device having a multilayer coating on the structure surface and a wave guiding structure. In the device, using the surface plasmon coupling effect, the majority of the optical emission from the emitter on top of the multilayer coating is distributed toward the wave guiding structure. The wave guiding structure then further directs the emission signal to the detector with a high efficiency.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for providing a tunable absorption-emission band in a wavelength selective device are disclosed. A device for selectively absorbing incident electromagnetic radiation includes an electrically conductive surface layer including an arrangement of multiple surface elements. The surface layer is disposed at a nonzero height above a continuous electrically conductive layer. An electrically isolating intermediate layer defines a first surface that is in communication with the electrically conductive surface layer. The continuous electrically conductive backing layer is provided in communication with a second surface of the electrically isolating intermediate layer. When combined with an infrared source, the wavelength selective device emits infrared radiation in at least one narrow band determined by a resonance of the device. In some embodiments, the device includes a control feature that allows the resonance to be selectively modified.

Abstract: A blackbody radiation device (110) includes a planar filament emission element (102) and a planar detector (104) for respectively producing and detecting radiation having width dl/l less than about 0.1 to test a sample gas, where l is the wavelength of the radiation; a reflector (108); a window (W); an electrical control (118); and a data output element (116).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a new fluorescence detection platform based on the integration of grating-assisted surface plasmon coupled emission (GASPCE). This innovation builds upon the traditional SPCE technique by adding a grating to the metal surface which thereby provides additional emission confinement. The original conical emission pattern associated with the traditional SPCE technique is “squeezed” into a “two-beam” emission pattern that is more readily interrogated and collected by a waveguiding structure. With the GASPCE method and system of the present invention, a fluorescence emission can be coupled into optical waveguide with greater efficiency. As such, the integration of the GASPCE and existing optical fiber networking offers distributed real-time sensing capabilities. Also, the integration with an integrated optical chip may enable multi-channel array sensing or high-throughput florescence sensing.

Abstract: An infrared emitter, which utilizes a photonic crystal (PC) structure to produce electromagnetic emissions with a narrow hand of wavelengths, includes a semiconductor material layer, a dielectric material layer overlaying the semiconductor material layer, and a metallic material layer having an inner side overlaying the dielectric material layer. The semiconductor material layer is capable of being coupled to an energy source for introducing energy to the semiconductor material layer. An array of surface features are defined in the device in a periodic manner or quasi-periodic. The emitter device is adapted to emit electromagnetic energy having spectral characteristics determined by parameters of the periodically distributed surface features, the parameters including shape, size, depth, distribution geometry, periodicity, material properties and defects.

Abstract: The current invention provides methods for detecting trace analytes in solution or suspension using coupled micro-ring resonators. The methods of the current invention determine the presence and concentration of the target analytes in real time by exposing the micro-ring resonator to the analyte and determining the resulting rate of change of resonance wavelength experienced by a sensing micro-ring resonator as compared to a reference micro-ring resonator.

Abstract: The current invention provides a modulated pressure wave vapor generator suitable for use outside of the laboratory. The vapor generator of the current invention produces a controlled analyte vapor sample without using bulk movement of gas. Additionally, the current invention compensates for changes in the environment to ensure discharge of the preferred volume of analyte from the vapor generator. Finally, the current invention provides a method for generating a controlled volume of analyte vapor suitable for calibrating vapor sensors.

Abstract: The presently claimed and disclosed inventions relate, in general, to methods of radiation dosimetry and imaging using scintillation luminescence. More particularly, materials having a scintillation luminescence response to radiation that varies with total radiation dose received can be used for dosimetry monitoring, including, but not limited to nanoparticles for in vivo, real-time dosimetry. Energy-transfer nanocomposite materials as well as methods of making and using such materials in various applications including, but not limited to, in vivo radiation dosimetry and imaging, are disclosed. More particularly, the presently claimed and disclosed inventions relate to nanoparticle scintillation luminescence particles encapsulated in hosts of the general formula BaFX and BaFX:Eu2+ where X=Cl, Br and I.

Abstract: The present invention relates to materials and methods useful in the study of cells and species associated with cells. Materials of the present invention may include emissive, photostable organic molecules (e.g., conjugated polymers, conjugated oligomers) that are appropriately functionalized to interact with a cell with essentially no disruption in normal cell functioning. The present invention may be useful in, for example, cell imaging, cell tracking, in vivo monitoring of cellular events, drug delivery, and determination of biological species. In one embodiment, a conjugated polymer or oligomer may be internalized into a cell and may exhibit a strong and stable emissive signal, allowing the cell to be monitored under extensive microscopic conditions for extended periods of time.

Abstract: The present relates in general to upconversion luminescence (“UCL”) materials and methods of making and using same and more particularly, but not meant to be limiting, to Mn2+ doped semiconductor nanoparticles for use as UCL materials. The present invention also relates in general to upconversion luminescence including two-photon absorption upconversion, and potential applications using UCL materials, including light emitting diodes, upconversion lasers, infrared detectors, chemical sensors, temperature sensors and biological labels, all of which incorporate a UCL material.

Abstract: This invention involves a series of articles, dispersions, compositions, methods, and kits. Several aspects of the invention involve dispersed particles made from polymers having a delocalized ?-orbital backbone structure, as well as methods for making and using such particles. The delocalized ?-orbital backbone allows the polymer to have a high degree of luminosity, useful in many embodiments of the invention. The polymers of this invention can also have bulky substituents to prevent intermolecular ?-? interactions that can decrease luminosity. The polymer may also have charged side chains immobilized relative to the backbone, which can allow the polymer to be made into stably suspended micro- or nanoparticles dispersed in solution, sometimes with very narrow size distributions. In some embodiments, depending on the conditions used to synthesize and prepare the particles, the particles each consist of a single polymer molecule.

Abstract: An optically-powered integrated microstructure pressure sensing system for sensing pressure within a cavity. The pressure sensing system comprises a pressure sensor having an optical resonant structure subject to the pressure within the cavity and having physical properties changing due to changing pressures within the cavity. A substrate supports the optical resonant structure. An input optical pathway evanescently couples light into the optical resonant structure. An output optical pathway collects light from the optical resonance structure. A light source delivers a known light input into the input optical pathway whereby the known light input is evanescently coupled into the optical resonant structure by the input optical pathway and a portion of such light is collected from the optical resonant structure by the output optical pathway.

Abstract: The present invention provides a series of systems, devices, and methods relating to the determination of explosives, such as peroxides or peroxide precursors, and other species. Embodiments of the invention may allow a sample suspected of containing an explosive (e.g., a peroxide) or other species to interact with a reactant, wherein the sample may react and cause light emission from the reactant. Advantages of the present invention may include the simplification of devices for determination of peroxide-based explosives, wherein the devices are portable and, in some cases, disposable. Other advantages may include relative ease of fabrication and operation.

Abstract: A detector for detecting vapors emitted from analytes includes a housing, a pump and a sensing assembly. The housing has an inlet, an outlet and an enclosed sensing volume therebetween. The pump communicates with the housing for moving a carrier sequentially through the enclosed sensing volume at a predetermined flow rate. The sensing assembly senses the vapors of the analyte delivered by the carrier as the carrier passes through the housing. The sensing assembly includes a sensing unit constructed of an amplifying fluorescent polymer, a source of excitation, a detector, and a convertor assembly.