Abstract: The invention relates to novel methods and compositions for the detection of analytes using the nuclear reorganization energy, ?, of an electron transfer process.

Abstract: A photodetector having sensitivity in a wide temperature range in both an infrared and an ultraviolet band is provided. The photodetector is formed on a single chip and is designed to be blind to solar or visible radiation. Structures disclosed allow fast and efficient detection of signals with high spatial and temporal resolution. Such sensors may be used for multi-pixel focal arrays and applied for fire detection applications, various space- and military-related applications and other applications. A method for increasing rejection of visible light by the IR sensitive material is also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of self-assembled monolayers with mixtures of conductive oligomers and insulators to detect target analytes.

Abstract: The invention relates to novel methods and compositions for the detection of analytes using the nuclear reorganization energy, ?, of an electron transfer process.

Abstract: The invention relates to nucleic acids covalently coupled to electrodes via conductive oligomers. More particularly, the invention is directed to the site-selective modification of nucleic acids with electron transfer moieties and electrodes to produce a new class of biomaterials, and to methods of making and using them.

Abstract: An apparatus that measures electrical impedance. The apparatus includes a signal generator controlled by a master microcontroller, a plurality of data acquisition channels, each channel containing a microcontroller, a host computer that processes and stores measured values, and a communication line between the host computer and the master microcontroller.

Abstract: The invention relates to nucleic acids covalently coupled to electrodes via conductive oligomers. More particularly, the invention is directed to the site-selective modification of nucleic acids with electron transfer moieties and electrodes to produce a new class of biomaterials, and to methods of making and using them.

Abstract: The invention relates to nucleic acids covalently coupled to electrodes via conductive oligomers. More particularly, the invention is directed to the site-selective modification of nucleic acids with electron transfer moieties and electrodes to produce a new class of biomaterials, and to methods of making and using them.

Abstract: A photodetector having sensitivity in both an infrared and an ultraviolet band is provided. The photodetector is formed on a single chip and is designed to be blind to solar or visible radiation. Structures disclosed allow fast and efficient detection of signals with high spatial and temporal resolution. Such sensors may be used for multi-pixel focal arrays and applied for fire detection applications, various space- and military-related applications and other applications.

Abstract: A fluid detector for determining a presence of a fluid within a container includes a piezoelectric element that outputs a first ultrasonic signal in response to an input electrical signal and a lens with an upper portion and a lower portion. The piezoelectric element is coupled to the upper portion of the lens so that, when the lens is disposed adjacent the outer surface of the wall such that the lens is intermediate the piezoelectric element and the wall, the lens focuses the first ultrasonic signal toward the wall so that the first ultrasonic signal enters the wall.

Abstract: A flexible apparatus and method to enhance capacitive force sensing is disclosed. In one embodiment, a force measuring device includes a sensor capacitor having a fixed surface and a movable surface substantially parallel to the fixed surface, at least one spring assembly (e.g., may deflect longitudinally and/or perpendicularly to a direction of the force) positioned between the fixed surface and the movable surface (e.g., the spring assembly may alter in height in response to a force applied perpendicular to the movable surface and to cause a change in the gap between the fixed surface and the movable surface), and a circuit to generate a measurement of the force based on an algorithm that considers a change in a capacitance of the sensor capacitor. A reference capacitor may adjust the measurement of the applied force based on one or more environmental conditions.

Abstract: Sensor condition verification may be performed on electromagnetic sensors and sensor arrays mounted to a material surface. The sensors typically have a periodic winding or electrode structure that creates a periodic sensing field when driven by an electrical signal. The sensors can be thin and flexible so that they conform to the surface of the test material. Monitoring the conductivity changes of a test material, with changes in temperature, may provide a mechanism for testing the integrity of the sensor. Changes in the conductivity, due to changes in temperature, without significant lift-off changes may verify the calibration of the sensor and that the sensor elements themselves are intact.

Abstract: An optic fiber probe system for treating thrombus of a patient comprising at least one optic fiber with at least one confined liquid-fillable void space and a light source for causing a laser-induced liquid/bubble jet that ejects from an opening of the confined void space to breakup the thrombus.

Abstract: A multi-zone capacitive force sensing apparatus/method is disclosed. In one embodiment, an apparatus includes one or more capacitors each having an upper conductive surface and a lower conductive surface substantially parallel to the upper conductive surface, a housing with a top plate and a bottom plate to encompass the capacitors, and a sensor in the housing to generate a measurement based on a change in a distance between the upper conductive surface and the lower conductive surface of each of the capacitors when a contact zone of the top plate associated with the each of the plurality of capacitors is deflected by a force applied on the contact zone. The apparatus may also include a comparison module associated with the sensor to generate a signal indicating unevenness of a force applied on the top plate when there is any significant difference between measurements of the capacitors.

Abstract: The invention provides an independent relative motion sensor for use in navigation operations using a fingerprint that do not require the power demanded by conventional devices. The independent relative motion sensor includes a linear array of sensing elements that captures a narrow string of data that is indicative of fingerprint features along a relatively narrow sample. This string of data is used to determine the velocity of travel for use in navigation operations. Using multiple sensors, motion and direction data can be computed and used to provide two-dimensional direction for navigating an object, such as a cursor on a monitor. The invention can be incorporated in an electronic device to provide improved navigation operations that demand less power.

Abstract: Photon counting electronics and method that allow for counting single photons with sensitivity, linearity, and accuracy. The method for accurately counting photon numbers entering a photon multiplier tube comprising the steps of counting the number of the electrical pulses generated by photons; measuring the duration of the electrical pulses with a timing clock, wherein the timing clock can count the number of temporally overlapped photons; measuring the intensity of the electrical pulses with an intensity discriminator, wherein the intensity discriminator can count the number of intensity-overlapped photons; and summing the number of the electrical pulses, the number of temporally overlapped photon, and the number of intensity-overlapped photons, that is equal to the total number of photons.

Abstract: The invention is directed to devices and methods that allow for simultaneous multiple biochip analysis. The method of analyzing the plurality of biochips includes inserting a first biochp into a first station of an analysis device, inserting a second biochip into a second station of the analysis device, wherein each of the first and second biochips include a substrate, the substrates including an array of detection electrodes, each electrode including a different capture binding ligand, a different target analyte, and a label, and a plurality of electrical contracts, detecting current as an indication of the presence of the labels on the first biochip, and detecting current as an indication of the presence of the labels on the first second biochip. The devices and method may be used with multiple cartridges comprising biochips comprising arrays, such as nucleic acid arrays, and allow for high throughput analysis of samples.

Abstract: An optical apparatus and methods for monitoring temperature enabling detection and treatment of a vulnerable plaque of a patient comprising an elongate catheter, a plurality of outer optical fibers deployably disposed within the lumen of the catheter and suitably expandable in an outwardly radial manner configured for forming a basket shape, the outer fibers having at least one optical grating along an axis of the fiber wherein the at least one optical grating reflects a certain wavelength or intensity of the light beam, the certain wavelength or intensity of the reflected light beam being correlated to known temperature, and a longitudinal middle optical fiber emitting a light energy suitable for photodynamic therapy.

Abstract: Local features such as cracks in materials are nondestructively characterized by measuring a response with an electromagnetic sensor and converting this response into a selected property using a database. The database is generated prior to data acquisition by using a model to generate a baseline response or field distribution for the sensor and combining these results with another model, which may be simpler than the first model or provide a local representation of the field perturbations around a feature, which is evaluated multiple times over a range of values of the selected property. In addition, the presence of a feature may be detected by converting the sensor response into a reference parameter, such as a lift-off factor that reflects the sensor position relative to a material edge, and using this parameter to determine a reference response that can be compared to the measured response.

Abstract: The condition of insulating and semiconducting dielectric materials is assessed by a sensor array that uses electric fields to interrogate the test material. The sensor has a linear array of parallel drive conductors interconnected to form a single drive electrode and sense conductors placed on each side of and parallel to a drive conductor. Subsets of the sense conductors are interconnected to form at least two sense elements sensitive to different material regions. The sense conductors may be at different distances to the drive conductors, enabling measurement sensitivity to different depths into the test material. The material condition is assessed directly from the sense element responses or after conversion to an effective material property, such as an electrical conductivity or dielectric permittivity.