Abstract: Fluorescent dyes and probes are key components in multiphoton based fluorescence microscopy imaging of biological samples. In order to address the demand for better performing dyes for two-photon based imaging, a new series of reactive fluorophores tailored for multiphoton imaging has been disclosed. These fluorophores are based upon the fluorene ring system, known to exhibit high fluorescence quantum yields, typically >0.7, and possess high photostability. They have been functionalized with moieties to act, e.g., as efficient amine-reactive fluorescent probes for the covalent attachment onto, e.g., proteins and antibodies. The synthesis and the single-photon spectral characteristics, as well as measured two-photon absorption cross sections of the reactive fluorophores in solution are presented. Spectral characterizations of bovine serum albumin (BSA) conjugated with the new reactive probe is presented.

Abstract: A general film compensated reflective twisted nematic liquid crystal display, device, system and method with phase compensation film set to compensate the residual phase retardation of the liquid crystal in the voltage-on state to increase the contrast ratio at a lower operating voltage and decrease the color dispersion when used in reflective and transflective liquid crystal displays. The phase compensation film set is selected based on the twist angle and the residual retardation of the liquid crystal layer, wherein the compensation film set has an effective film phase retardation value and effective polarizer angle to cancel the total residual phase to obtain an excellent dark state for achieving the high contrast ratio.

Abstract: This invention relates to a body fluids identification method and kit. A parallel, multiplex reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assay for the definitive identification of body fluids commonly encountered in forensic casework analysis, namely blood, saliva, semen, and vaginal secretions. The methodology is based on gene expression profiling analysis in which the body fluid-specific genes are identified by detecting the presence of appropriate messenger RNA species. Gene-specific primers are labeled with fluorescent dyes, separated and subjected to laser induced fluorescence for identification of body fluid-specific genes present in a sample stain.

Abstract: Fluorescent dyes and probes are key components in multiphoton based fluorescence microscopy imaging of biological samples. In order to address the demand for better performing dyes for two-photon based imaging, a new series of reactive fluorophores tailored for multiphoton imaging has been disclosed. These fluorophores are based upon the fluorene ring system, known to exhibit high fluorescence quantum yields, typically >0.7, and possess high photostability. They have been functionalized with moieties to act, e.g., as efficient amine-reactive fluorescent probes for the covalent attachment onto, e.g., proteins and antibodies. The synthesis and the single-photon spectral characteristics, as well as measured two-photon absorption cross sections of the reactive fluorophores in solution are presented. Spectral characterizations of bovine serum albumin (BSA) conjugated with the new reactive probe is presented.

Abstract: A direct current to direct current (DC-to-DC) converter having an active transient voltage compensator (ATVC) coupled with the DC-to-DC converter output terminal to improve a fast transient response of the DC-to-DC converter. The active transient voltage compensator compensates the DC output only during transient operation The ATVC includes a transformer for reducing the ATVC current stresses to improve the compensator efficiency and injecting, absorbing high slew rate current, and a controller circuit for controlling ATVC operation in steady state and normal operation in transients. During step-up load the ATVC operates as a buck converter and during step-down load, the ATVC operates as a boost converter while the main converter operates at low switching frequency for good efficiency.

Abstract: A novel transflective liquid crystal display (LCD) is provided with a multilayer dielectric film transflector. The dielectric transflector is composed of alternating high and low refractive index dielectric material layers deposited directly on the inner side of the LCD substrate to avoid parallax. The transmittance of the dielectric transflector can vary from approximately 5% to approximately 95% by simply adjusting the individual dielectric layer thickness and the arrangement of layers. The thickness of the 10-layer film is approximately 700 nm, which does not affect the voltage drop on the LC. Two structures of the dielectric film using different positions of the materials of construction are provided and demonstrated. Such a transflective LCD exhibits outstanding features, such as, robust dielectric film, single cell gap, no parallax, and a simple fabrication process.

Abstract: Twisted ceiling fan blades for low, medium and high speed operation of less than approximately 250 rpm. The novel blades twisted blades can be configured for 60? and 64? diameter fans, and have less blades (3 for example) than conventional flat type bladed fans having 4, 5 blades and have greater air flow and less power draw results than the conventional flat 54 inch fans. Any of the novel twisted blades of 54?, 60? and 64? can be run at reduced speeds, drawing less Watts than conventional fans and still perform better with more air flow and less problems than conventional flat type conventional blades.

Abstract: Structures, devices, systems and methods of using fringe field switching mode liquid crystal display (LCD) in which the electrodes have a trapezoidal structure. The disclosed fringe field switching mode LCD includes common electrodes and pixel electrodes arranged on a back substrate to produce a fringe field. Each electrode is comprised of alternating sections of main bone and trapezoidal electrode.

Abstract: Methods, systems and processes for providing efficient, accurate and exact image reconstruction using portable and easy to use C-arm scanning devices and rotating gantries, and the like. The invention can provide exact convolution-based filtered back projection (FBP) image reconstruction by combining a curved scan of the object and a line scan of the object. The curved scan can be done before or after the line scan. The curved scan can be less than or greater than a full circle about an object being scanned.

Abstract: Our wafer scale processing techniques produce chip-laser-diodes with a diffraction grating (78) that redirects output light out the top (88) and/or bottom surfaces. Generally, a diffraction grating (78) and integrated lens-grating (78) are used herein to couple light from the chip to an output fiber (74), and the lens-grating (78) is spaced from the diffraction grating (76). Preferably the diffraction grating (76) and integrated lens grating (78) are also used to couple light from the output fiber (74) back to the active region of the chip. The integrated lens-grating (78) can be in a coupling block (82). The use of a coupling block (82) can eliminate “facet-type damage”. A coupling block (82) is generally used herein to couple light from the chip to an output fiber (74), and preferably to couple feedback reflected from the fiber (74) back to the chip.

Abstract: A liquid-filled variable focus lens cell is disclosed. The liquid lens cell consists of four parts: a clear distensible membrane, a transparent wall member, liquid with a fixed volume stored in lens cell chamber, and an annular periphery sealing ring. The inner surfaces of the annular sealing ring are sealed with distensible membrane. The radius of the annular sealing ring is changeable, similar to a conventional iris diaphragm. By tuning the radius of the annular sealing ring, the stored liquid in the lens cell will be redistributed, thus change the curvature of the distensible membrane. Therefore, the liquid lens cell can cause light to converge or diverge. The liquid filled lens can be operated mechanically or automatically.

Abstract: Methods, devices and systems for generating ultrashort optical linear chirped pulses with very high power by amplifying the pulses so that their temporal duration is longer than the storage time of the amplifying medium. The additional gain factor is related to the ratio of the storage time to the stretched pulse. A preferred embodiment connects a mode locked laser source that generates optical pulses whose duration is stretched with a chirped fiber Bragg grating. Embodiments include methods, devices and systems causing an extreme chirped pulse amplifier (XCPA) effect in an oscillator.

Abstract: Inhomogeneous concentrated polymer network with approximately 90° twisted nematic liquid crystal (TN-LC) is used for fabricating lens and prisms. For forming a positive lens, the approximately 90° TN-LC polymer network concentration can gradually decrease from the center to the side edges. For forming a negative lens, the approximately 90° TN-LC polymer network concentration can gradually increase from the center to the side edges. The lens can be created by ultra violet (UV) light exposure to patterned photo masks. The lens can be tuned by applying voltage above the threshold voltage to the polymer network. The inhomogeneous 90° TN-LC polymer network can also be used in Fresnel lens and prisms. Applications of the invention can be used for micro lens, array, optical communication, micro-optics, adaptive optics and beam steering.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for using an up-conversion phosphor as an emitting material in a reflective displays and Polymer compositions for display mediums, and blue green red (BRG) display mediums. Roles of the pumping duration and character on the temperature and the efficiency of the up-conversion process in (Ytterbium, Erbium or Thulium) co-doped fluoride crystals are set forth. Methods, compositions and display mediums for using up-conversion phosphors in both reflective and transmissive displays in which the substrate and pixel shapes are designed to maximally remove heat deposited in the emitting material and thereby improve the efficiency of up conversion.

Abstract: Methods and systems for reconstructing images of moving objects being spirally scanned with two dimensional detectors with a 3PI algorithm. The moving objects can be scanned at a rate of up to approximately three times slower than those of pre-existing systems. In a preferred embodiment, the invention allows for a patient on a table moving through a spiral scanner to be slowed down by a factor of up to three, and still use the same size detector array as those in existing spiral scanning systems.

Abstract: The achromatic quarter-wave film of this invention has a laminated twisted nematic liquid crystal film sandwiched between two uniaxial polymer films to provide a optical component which converts linearly polarized light into circularly polarized radiation which upon reflection back through said optical component is blocked from outward radiation by the polarizer for the initial incident wide spectrum light thus realizing wider broadband width for full color flat panel displays.

Abstract: Extremely compact and light-weight optical systems, apparatus, devices and methods to image miniature displays. Such systems include, for example, head-mounted projection displays (HMPD), head-mounted displays (HMDs), and cameras for special effects, compact microscopes and telescopes as well as applications in which magnification and compactness are design criteria. The invention includes an ultra-compact imaging system based on microlenslet arrays and demonstrates that such a system can achieve an object-to-image distance as low as approximately 1.7 mm. with the usage of commercially available microlenslet arrays. The replacement of bulk macro-optical system by multi-aperture micro-optics is achieved.

Abstract: This invention has incorporated projective optics and phase conjugate material thus eliminating the requisite use of an external phase conjugate material to provide a see-through head mounted projective display. A key component of the invention is the use of optical imaging technology in combination with projective optics to make this revolutionary technology work. In previous head mounted projective displays the phase conjugate material had to be placed in the environment to display images, but in this invention one is not limited to the use of an external phase conjugate material but further extends its use to outdoor see-through augmented reality to produce images using the see-through head mounted projective display system. Furthermore, this invention extends the use of projective head mounted displays to clinical guided surgery, surgery medical, an outdoor augmented see-through virtual environment for military training and wearable computers.