Abstract: A composition having the general formula: NaaMnbFecTidMeO2, wherein: M comprises one or more elements selected from the group consisting of aluminium, magnesium, zinc, copper, silicon, and zirconium; and wherein: 0.5<a?1; 0.1?b?0.7; 0.1?c?0.7; 0<d?0.3; and 0<e?0.5, and wherein the composition is a layered sodium metal oxide material having at least a first phase and a second phase, wherein each phase is different and independently comprises one or more P2-type structures, one or more O3-type structures or one or more P3-type structures. Also described are methods of synthesizing layered sodium metal oxide materials as well as electrodes and energy storage devices including such compositions.

Abstract: A holographic security or identification device (10) comprises an object, or a flexible substrate (12) configured to be conformable to a desired, curved shape; and a plurality of structures (14) formed on or in the object to have a desired curved configuration, or formed in or associated with the substrate and arranged to adopt a desired curved configuration when the substrate is conformed to a desired shape, wherein the plurality of structures (14) are configured to receive light (20) of a selected at least one wavelength or range of wavelengths and to produce, using the received light, a desired holographic image (22) for security or identification purposes when in the desired configuration.

Abstract: A security or identification device comprises a membrane laser structure configured to be optically pumped. The membrane laser structure comprises a flexible emission layer comprising a gain material; and one or more structures formed in or associated with the flexible emission layer and configured to provide optical feedback in the emission layer to produce a laser light output having at least one property representing an identifier.

Abstract: Disclosed are metal organic framework materials (MOFs), comprising an extra-framework NO releasing compound within the internal pores and/or channels of the MOF, the NO-releasing compounds and their preparation and uses. The MOFs and NO-releasing compounds are capable of releasing NO on application of an external stimulus and may provide materials with multiple modes of antibacterial and/or drug action.

Abstract: A method for use in imaging an object through a scattering medium comprises illuminating the object sequentially point-by-point through the scattering medium with incident electromagnetic radiation propagating along an illumination direction so that the incident electromagnetic radiation interacts with the object to cause the object to generate and emit electromagnetic radiation, wherein the incident electromagnetic radiation is formed by spectrally dispersing initial electromagnetic radiation in a direction transverse to the illumination direction so as to form spectrally dispersed electromagnetic radiation and by spatially focusing the spectrally dispersed electromagnetic radiation through the scattering medium to the object.

Abstract: In an aspect, the present invention provides an optical encryption terminal for generating and distributing a cryptographic key signal in a cryptography key distribution system having at least two optical encryption terminals. The optical encryption terminal comprises an electronic processing unit and the optical encryption terminal is configured to selectively receive optical input signals generated by a source of electromagnetic radiation and optical input signals generated by a further optical encryption terminal, and to selectively output first optical output signals to a detection element and second optical output signals to the further optical encryption terminal, wherein the first optical output signals are based on the optical input signals generated by the further optical encryption terminal and transformed in accordance with an optical encryption pattern provided at the optical encryption terminal.

Abstract: A method for use in light-sheet imaging of an object through a scattering medium comprises illuminating the object through the scattering medium with incident electromagnetic radiation propagating along an illumination axis so that the incident electromagnetic radiation interacts with the object to cause the object to generate and emit electromagnetic radiation. The incident electromagnetic radiation is formed by spectrally dispersing initial electromagnetic radiation in a direction transverse to the illumination axis so as to form spectrally dispersed electromagnetic radiation and by spatially focusing the spectrally dispersed electromagnetic radiation through the scattering medium to the object. The method comprises forming an image of at least a portion of the emitted electromagnetic radiation propagating along a detection axis, wherein the detection axis and the illumination axis are non-collinear, and sensing the formed image.

Abstract: A method and system are disclosed for use in imaging a sample. The method comprises illuminating a sample through a scattering medium, or illuminating a sub-surface region of the sample through a scattering surface region of the sample, with a plurality of spatial patterns of incident electromagnetic radiation, wherein each spatial pattern of incident electromagnetic radiation interacts with the sample, or the sub-surface region of the sample, to generate electromagnetic radiation in the sample or the sub-surface region of the sample.

Abstract: The invention relates to a composite oxide comprising CaO stabilised by Ca3Al2O6 (C3A), wherein the composite is in the form of particles. The mixed oxide composite is useful as a catalyst in the transesterification of triglycerides, e.g. in the production of biodiesel. Calcium leaching is more hindered in CaO—Ca3Al2O6 (2Ca/Al) than in CaO—Al2O3.

Abstract: An apparatus (150) comprises a first detection chamber (130) for receiving microorganisms and configured to allow detection of the microorganisms via detection of scattered light from the first detection chamber (130); a medium (120) configured to permit passage of microorganisms from a sample (110) through the medium (120) into the first detection chamber (130); and at least one second detection chamber (140) configured to allow detection of the microorganisms via detection of scattered light from the at least one second detection chamber (140).

Abstract: A security or identification device comprises a membrane laser structure configured to be optically pumped. The membrane laser structure comprises a flexible emission layer comprising a gain material; and one or more structures formed in or associated with the flexible emission layer and configured to provide optical feedback in the emission layer to produce a laser light output having at least one property representing an identifier.

Abstract: A method of processing a lignocellulosic feedstock includes heating the lignocellulosic feedstock in a solvent mixture comprising an acid and at least 80% by volume of n-butanol to produce a reaction mixture including a butylated lignin. A butylated lignin product wherein at least 85% of the ?-O-4 linkages include n-butyl ether groups can be prepared. Cellulose and butylated hemicellulose products can also be obtained.

Abstract: A method for determining a spring constant/rigidity of a cantilever of a known shape, the method involving: measuring a resonance frequency of the cantilever in a plurality of static equilibrium positions in which the shape of the cantilever is different and determining a spring constant and/or rigidity of the cantilever using the measured frequencies. The resonance frequency may be at least one of a torsional and lateral resonance frequency.

Abstract: A gyroscope and method for navigating using the gyroscope can include a substrate that can define a cavity. The cavity can be placed under a vacuum, and a birefringent microrotor can be located in the cavity. A light source can direct light through the substrate and into the cavity to establish an optical spring effect, which act on the microrotor to establish an initial reference position, as well as to establish rotational and translational motion of said microrotor. A receiver can detect light that has passed through said cavity. Changes in light patterns that can be detected at the receiver can be indicative of a change in position of the microrotor. The change and rate of change in position of the microrotor can be used for inertial navigation.

Abstract: A holographic security or identification device (10) comprises an object, or a flexible substrate (12) configured to be conformable to a desired, curved shape; and a plurality of structures (14) formed on or in the object to have a desired curved configuration, or formed in or associated with the substrate and arranged to adopt a desired curved configuration when the substrate is conformed to a desired shape, wherein the plurality of structures (14) are configured to receive light (20) of a selected at least one wavelength or range of wavelengths and to produce, using the received light, a desired holographic image (22) for security or identification purposes when in the desired configuration.

Abstract: A system for measuring a liquid sample comprising biological material, the system comprising an integrating light collector for collecting light and for at least partially containing the sample; a light source for introducing light in the integrating light collector; a signal generator or modulator configured to cause a known modulation of the light output by the light source; a phase-sensitive detector for detecting scattered light in the integrating light collector; at least one of an exit port to allow un-scattered light to exit the integrating light collector, a beam dump, or a baffle arranged to absorb unscattered light; and a processor configured to analyse the detected modulated light to determine changes in the detected modulated light as a function of time thereby to determine at least one of: drug susceptibility of the biological material; a change in a number of cells in the sample; a change in cell state; a change in the biological material.

Abstract: A system for measuring a sample comprising: an integrating sphere light collector (12) for collecting light and containing the sample; a light source (24) for introducing light in the integrating sphere light collector (12), wherein the light source (24) is operable to output light with a known modulation, preferably by using a signal generator (26); a detector (22) for detecting scattered light in the integrating sphere light collector (12) and generating a signal indicative of the scattered light, and a lock-in amplifier (28) operable use the known light modulation and the signal generated by the detector (22) to provide an output for analysis.

Abstract: Disclosed are metal organic framework materials (MOFs), comprising an extra-framework NO releasing compound within the internal pores and/or channels of the MOF, the NO-releasing compounds and their preparation and uses. The MOFs and NO-releasing compounds are capable of releasing NO on application of an external stimulus and may provide materials with multiple modes of antibacterial and/or drug action.

Abstract: A Raman spectroscopic detection device comprising at least one microfluidic sample channel; at least one excitation waveguide for exciting a Raman signal and at least one collection waveguide for collecting a Raman signal. The output of the excitation waveguide and the input of the collection waveguide are positioned directly in the microfluidic sample channel.

Abstract: The present invention is based on the finding that in addition to interfering with or blocking, preventing and/or inhibiting the interaction between a pathogen and, for example, a sialic acid containing cell surface receptor, certain sialic acid binding molecules have immunomodulatory properties. The invention provides methods and uses which exploit sialic acid binding molecules in the treatment and/or prevention of disease by modulation and/or priming of the host immune response.