Abstract: A system for performing cantilever based calorimetric analysis system. A laser device is configured to emit a beam of laser energy along a beam pathway reaching from the laser device to a microcantilever. The microcantilever presents a reflective target area for the laser beam. The microcantilever deflects in response to heat. A material is provided adjacent to the target area. The material receives heat energy from the laser beam. A detector is positioned on a beam return pathway. The detector is configured to sense laser energy from the beam return pathway and provide a data single that represents calorimetric data from the material. Control circuitry is also provided to receive the data signal from the detector and process the data signal according to program logic for providing a differential scanning calorimetric analysis of the calorimetric data. An associated method of use is also provided.

Abstract: A system for repositioning a microfabricated cantilever includes a microfabricated cantilever, a first device operable to detect a position of the microfabricated cantilever, and a second device. The first device is operable to determine an offset in the position of the microfabricated cantilever, and the second device is operable to reposition the microfabricated cantilever based on an offset detected by the first device.

Abstract: A system for performing cantilever based calorimetric analysis system. A laser device is configured to emit a beam of laser energy along a beam pathway reaching from the laser device to a microcantilever. The microcantilever presents a reflective target area for the laser beam. The microcantilever deflects in response to heat. A material is provided adjacent to the target area. The material receives heat energy from the laser beam. A detector is positioned on a beam return pathway. The detector is configured to sense laser energy from the beam return pathway and provide a data single that represents calorimetric data from the material. Control circuitry is also provided to receive the data signal from the detector and process the data signal according to program logic for providing a differential scanning calorimetric analysis of the calorimetric data. An associated method of use is also provided.

Abstract: A system for repositioning a microfabricated cantilever includes a microfabricated cantilever, a first device operable to detect a position of the microfabricated cantilever, and a second device. The first device is operable to determine an offset in the position of the microfabricated cantilever, and the second device is operable to reposition the microfabricated cantilever based on an offset detected by the first device.

Abstract: A biometrically authenticatable system is disclosed. The system includes a Basic Input Output System (BIOS), an operating system and a biometric authentication mechanism logically coupled in-between the BIOS and the operating system.

Abstract: A media storage device and method for fabricating said device is provided. The device comprises a data layer capable of storing and erasing data via application of an energy beam, such as a near field optical non diffraction limited beam or electron beam. A separate capping layer is deposited on the data layer. The separate capping layer is relatively transparent to the energy beam and may be formed from various materials, including but not limited to an epitaxial material, a conducting material, and a robust high melting point material, such as Molybdenum.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for identifying one or more specific proteins in a heterogeneous test solution with a plurality of micro-cantilevers which have two or more conductive arms coupled to an end area having a higher resistance than the conductive arms. The method includes the operation of heating each end area of the plurality of micro-cantilevers by passing a current through each end area. A further operation includes increasing a temperature of the heterogeneous test solution using each heated end area of each of the plurality of micro-cantilevers. Another operation involves measuring a temperature change in the heterogeneous test solution that occurs when a specific protein denatures while heating the heterogeneous test solution with the plurality of micro-cantilevers. A further operation includes identifying the one or more specific proteins in the heterogeneous test solution according to the temperature at which each of the specific proteins denatured.

Abstract: An apparatus for characterizing reactions including a spinnable medium with one or more internal chambers capable of containing one or more reagents, a composite reagent that includes a magnetic component, a rotating mechanism capable of turning the spinnable medium, and a reading mechanism capable of measuring the magnetic component at one or more regions of the spinnable medium.

Abstract: A data storage unit includes a data storage layer with multiple storage areas having a storage medium disposed thereon that changes between a plurality of states for writing and reading information. An array of beam emitters, such as laser light probes or near-field light sources, are spaced in close proximity to the data storage layer. A layer (LASL) adjacent to the storage layer generates carriers (electrons, holes or photons) in response to the light beams. Data is read by directing a light beam onto the data storage layer. The storage medium on the data storage layer affects the generation of carriers or alters the transport of carriers after generation by the LASL, depending upon the state of the storage medium. The carriers are detected in a detection region in carrier communication with the LASL to detect the presence of data. The detection region may comprise any type of region for detecting carriers, including a semiconductor diode junction and a photoconductive region.

Abstract: A data storage unit having a data storage layer with multiple storage areas having a medium disposed thereon that changes between a plurality of states for writing and reading information thereon includes an array of light emitters, such as laser light probes or near-field light sources, spaced in close proximity to the data storage layer for selectively directing light beams to the data storage layer during write and read phases. Data is stored by directing a first light beam to the medium to change to a state representative of data. Data is read by exciting the storage areas with a second directed light beam on the medium. Alternately, the light energy beams in the write or read phases may be generated by a near-field optical system generating evanescent fields. The medium generates electron-hole pairs having substantially different activity in each storage area, depending upon its state.

Abstract: A media storage device and method for fabricating said device is provided. The device comprises a data layer capable of storing and erasing data via application of an energy beam, such as a near field optical non diffraction limited beam or electron beam. A separate capping layer is deposited on the data layer. The separate capping layer is relatively transparent to the energy beam and may be formed from various materials, including but not limited to an epitaxial material, a conducting material, and a robust high melting point material, such as Molybdenum.

Abstract: An ultra-high density data storage and retrieval unit has a data layer for storing and/or retrieving data and a second layer, wherein the data layer and/or the second layer comprise an ordered-defect material. The data layer is a phase-change layer capable of changing between a first state and a second state. The second layer forms a diode with the data layer for detecting a data state of the data layer. A method is provided for forming an ultra-high density data storage and retrieval device comprising forming a data layer for storing and/or retrieving data, and forming a second layer beneath the data layer, wherein the data layer and/or the second layer is an ordered-defect material.

Abstract: A data storage unit includes a data storage layer with multiple storage areas having a storage medium disposed thereon that changes between a plurality of states for writing and reading information. An array of beam emitters, such as laser light probes or near-field light sources, are spaced in close proximity to the data storage layer. A layer adjacent to the storage layer (LASL) generates carriers (electrons, holes or photons) in response to the light beams. Data is read by directing a light beam onto the data storage layer. The storage medium on the data storage layer affects the generation of carriers or alters the transport of carriers after generation by the LASL, depending upon the state of the storage medium. The carriers are detected in a detection region in carrier communication with the LASL to detect the presence of data. The detection region may comprise any type of region for detecting carriers, including a semiconductor diode junction and a photoconductive region.

Abstract: A data storage unit having a data storage layer with multiple storage areas having a medium disposed thereon that changes between a plurality of states for writing and reading information thereon includes an array of light emitters, such as laser light probes or near-field light sources, spaced in close proximity to the data storage layer for selectively directing light beams to the data storage layer during write and read phases. Data is stored by directing a first light beam to the medium to change to a state representative of data. Data is read by exciting the storage areas with a second directed light beam on the medium. Alternately, the light energy beams in the write or read phases may be generated by a near-field optical system generating evanescent fields. The medium generates electron-hole pairs having substantially different activity in each storage area, depending upon its state.

Abstract: Ultra-high-density data-storage media employing indium chalcogenide, gallium chalcogenide, and indium-gallium chalcogenide films to form bit-storage regions that act as photoconductive, photovoltaic, or photoluminescent semiconductor devices that produce electrical signals when exposed to electromagnetic radiation, or to form bit-storage regions that act as cathodoconductive, cathodovoltaic, or cathodoluminescent semiconductor devices that produce electrical signals when exposed to electron beams. Two values of a bit are represented by two solid phases of the data-storage medium, a crystalline phase and an amorphous phase, with transition between the two phases effected by heating the bit storage region.

Abstract: A method for crystallizing an amorphous film formed on an underlying layer having an unfavorable crystalline growth morphology is disclosed. The method includes providing a favorable growth substrate and then forming a first unfavorable growth layer on a seeding surface of the favorable growth substrate. An aperture is etched in the first unfavorable growth layer so that the aperture extends through the first unfavorable growth layer down to the seeding surface thereby exposing a portion of the seeding surface. An amorphous media layer is then formed on the first unfavorable growth layer. The amorphous media layer fills the aperture and is in contact with the seeding surface of the favorable growth substrate.

Abstract: A portable, low-power, metallic object detector and method for providing an image of a detected metallic object. In one embodiment, the present portable low-power metallic object detector an array of giant magnetoresistive (GMR) sensors. The array of GMR sensors is adapted for detecting the presence of and compiling image data of a metallic object. In the embodiment, the array of GMR sensors is arranged in a checkerboard configuration such that axes of sensitivity of alternate GMR sensors are orthogonally oriented. An electronics portion is coupled to the array of GMR sensors. The electronics portion is adapted to receive and process the image data of the metallic object compiled by the array of GMR sensors. The embodiment also includes a display unit which is coupled to the electronics portion. The display unit is adapted to display a graphical representation of the metallic object detected by the array of GMR sensors. In so doing, a graphical representation of the detected metallic object is provided.

Abstract: An oxide (NiO, CoO, NiCoO) antiferromagnetic exchange bias layer produced by ion beam sputtering of an oxide target in pure argon (Ar) sputtering gas, with no oxygen gas introduced into the system. Antiferromagnetic oxide layers are used, for example, in magnetoresistive readback heads to shift the hysteresis loops of ferromagnetic films away from the zero field axis. For example, NiO exchange bia layers have been fabricated using ion beam sputtering of an NiO target using Ar ions, with the substrate temperature at 200.degree. C., the ion beam voltage at 1000V and the beam current at 20 mA, with a deposition rate of about 0.2 .ANG./sec. The resulting NiO film was amorphous.