Abstract: Provided are a diagnostic system and methods for detecting the presence or absence of one or more targets that represent virus infection, inflammatory diseases and/or respiratory disorders by optically and noninvasively observing changing in color of the diagnostic system upon binding of the antigen of interest. Exemplary diagnostic systems and methods include detection of SARS-CoV-2 virus S protein or receptor of advanced glycation end products (RAGE) for diagnosis of COVID-19 infection or inflammatory/respiratory diseases.

Abstract: An electrochemical sensor (10) for measuring biochemical parameters in the sap (L) of a plant (P), comprising: —a channel in which the sap (L) of a plant (P) flows; —a first electrically conductive filament (11) which crosses the channel; —a control electrode (12) which crosses the channel; wherein the channel comprises a conductor vessel (C) of a trunk (D) of the plant (P), and wherein the first filament (11) comprises a textile fiber (110) coated with a layer (111) of conductive polymer.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention disclosed herein are directed to articles of clothing that allow for monitoring of different analytes (e.g., electrolytes and molecules) in human sweat during fitness activity, while training, or simply in everyday life. The clothing includes a sensor system completely integrated in textile such that every sensing part is made of textile fibers. The clothing is able to control, collect, analyze, and expel the sweat over time. The textile sensor allows a spontaneous absorption of body sweat directly from the skin, while it is produced, using the hydrophilic natural properties of the textile. Then, once adsorbed, the flux of sweat is controlled and guided through the textile using a gradient of the textile's hydrophilic properties. The sweat guided through the textile is analyzed through an electrochemical sensor woven into the textile. Finally, the sweat is collected in a reservoir and expelled for evaporation.

Abstract: A method for identifying and quantifying radioisotopes in a gamma spectrum. and an algorithm based on convolutional neural networks (CNN) with a direct acyclic graph (DAG) structure are provided. The capacity to capture relevant attributes of CNNs combined with the possibility of carrying out several tasks of a DAG simultaneously allows performing precise, automatic identification and quantification in a single process. After appropriate training of the network, the only input needed is the raw spectrum measured by the device, without intervention of human operators and intermediate measurement processings.

Abstract: An electrochemical sensor (10) for measuring biochemical parameters in the sap (L) of a plant (P), comprising: —a channel in which the sap (L) of a plant (P) flows; —a first electrically conductive filament (11) which crosses the channel; —a control electrode (12) which crosses the channel; wherein the channel comprises a conductor vessel (C) of a trunk (D) of the plant (P), and wherein the first filament (11) comprises a textile fiber (110) coated with a layer (111) of conductive polymer.

Abstract: A system (10) for the remote detection of substances, comprising a vehicle (20) that is mobile in space and remote-piloted using a control device (40) with a haptic interface suitable to return a force feedback to a user of the control device (40), wherein the vehicle (20) is equipped with a position sensor (22) and a sensor (21) for detecting a physical quantity whose intensity depends on the distance of at least one substance present in a detection point located in a vicinity of the position of the vehicle (20).

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention disclosed herein are directed to articles of clothing that allow for monitoring of different analytes (e.g., electrolytes and molecules) in human sweat during fitness activity, while training, or simply in everyday life. The clothing includes a sensor system completely integrated in textile such that every sensing part is made of textile fibers. The clothing is able to control, collect, analyze, and expel the sweat over time. The textile sensor allows a spontaneous absorption of body sweat directly from the skin, while it is produced, using the hydrophilic natural properties of the textile. Then, once adsorbed, the flux of sweat is controlled and guided through the textile using a gradient of the textile's hydrophilic properties. The sweat guided through the textile is analyzed through an electrochemical sensor woven into the textile. Finally, the sweat is collected in a reservoir and expelled for evaporation.

Abstract: A system (10) for the remote detection of substances, comprising a vehicle (20) that is mobile in space and remote-piloted using a control device (40) with a haptic interface suitable to return a force feedback to a user of the con¬trol device (40), wherein the vehicle (20) is equipped with a position sensor (22) and a sensor (21) for detecting a physical quantity whose intensity de¬pends on the distance of at least one substance present in a detection point located in a vicinity of the position of the vehicle (20).

Abstract: The present invention relates to an OECT sensor (1) for determining biochemical parameters in a subject's perspiration, comprising a filament (2) coated with a first layer (3) made of a conductive polymer, wherein the ends of the filament (2) are connected to two electrodes (4, 4?), wherein a first electrode (4) is grounded (V0), while a negative potential (V?) is applied to the second electrode (4?), the sensor (1) further comprising a control electrode (5), to which a positive potential (V+) is applied, wherein the filament (2) comprises a second layer (6) comprising an enzyme which catalyzes a transformation reaction of an analyte present in the liquid to be analyzed with generation of cations.

Abstract: Optical switch matrix having at least an input matrix port defining at least a row of the matrix, a plurality of output matrix ports defining columns of the matrix, a plurality of switching elements, each one being disposed at the intersection of at least one row and one of the columns. Each switch element in a predetermined position of the matrix, in an activated condition, connects an input matrix port to an output matrix port, the ports being correspondents respectively to the predetermined position of the matrix.

Abstract: An electro-optic (EO) device having a high-resistivity semiconducting crystal and a method of operating such a device. The local shielding of the externally applied field lowers the EO effect, which can be partially or completely inhibited particularly in the low-frequency regime, i.e., less than about 105 Hz. By holding a high-resistivity semiconducting crystal at a suitable temperature, EO response and efficiency are improved, in particular for light signals that are non-modulated or modulated at low frequencies. Preferably, the temperature at which the semiconducting crystal is held during functioning is between 50 and 150° C. Enhancement of the EO effect has been demonstrated also for EO devices operating at relatively large optical powers, i.e., larger than about 0.1 mW.

Abstract: A heat treatment chamber (30) is provided comprising a treatment region containing a charge (5) of compound material comprising a plurality of n atomic species, each atomic species being associated with at least one gas species. The chamber (30) is placed in a furnace (7). The chamber has a gas permeable barrier, constituted by a plug (4) and wadding (6), which partially encloses the treatment region. The barrier serves as an effusive hole to inhibit, but not prevent, gas vapour release, thereby to elevate the gas vapour pressure in the treatment region. Application of inert gas through a valve (8) is also used to increase background pressure in the treatment region during heat treatment. The elevated gas pressures present in the treatment region during treatment are measurable in an absorption cell (3) adjacent to the treatment region. It is thus possible to monitor the gas pressures during heat treatment and thereby stop the heat treatment once a desired charge stoichiometry is achieved.

Abstract: An electro-optic (EO) device having a high-resistivity semiconducting crystal and a method of operating such a device. The local shielding of the externally applied field lowers the EO effect, which can be partially or completely inhibited particularly in the low-frequency regime, i.e., less than about 105 Hz. By holding a high-resistivity semiconducting crystal at a suitable temperature, EO response and efficiency are improved, in particular for light signals that are non-modulated or modulated at low frequencies. Preferably, the temperature at which the semiconducting crystal is held during functioning is between 50 and 150° C. Enhancement of the EO effect has been demonstrated also for EO devices operating at relatively large optical powers, i.e., larger than about 0.1 mW.

Abstract: The invention relates to new polymers useful in non linear optical (NLO) applications, particularly as optical waveguide materials.

Abstract: Optical switch matrix having at least an input matrix port defining at least a row of the matrix, a plurality of output matrix ports defining columns of the matrix, a plurality of switching elements, each one being disposed at the intersection of at least one row and one of the columns. Each switch element in a predetermined position of the matrix, in an activated condition, connects an input matrix port to an output matrix port, the ports being correspondents respectively to the predetermined position of the matrix.

Abstract: A crystal made of CdxZn1−xTe provides an electro-optical switch that performs consistently at high and low switching frequencies for signals of the 1000-1650 nm wavelength window. Preferably, a crystal of Cd0.9Zn0.1Te is driven with an electrical voltage to cause polarization rotation and switching action for a passing optical signal. Despite having a higher light absorption coefficient than CdTe:In, Cd0.9Zn0.1Te surprisingly exhibits a weak auto-inhibition effect, giving it better electro-optic performance when used in conjunction with optical wavelengths and optical powers characteristic of optical communication systems. Optical switch matrices and optical cross-connect switches in optical communication systems may effectively use Cd0.9Zn0.1Te crystals.

Abstract: A heat treatment chamber (30) is provided comprising a treatment region containing a charge (5) of compound material comprising a plurality of n atomic species, each atomic species being associated with at least one gas species. The chamber (30) is placed in a furnace (7). The chamber has a gas permeable barrier, constituted by a plug (4) and wadding (6), which partially encloses the treatment region. The barrier serves as an effusive hole to inhibit, but not prevent, gas vapour release, thereby to elevate the gas vapour pressure in the treatment region. Application of inert gas through a valve (8) is also used to increase background pressure in the treatment region during heat treatment. The elevated gas pressures present in the treatment region during treatment are measurable in an absorption cell (3) adjacent to the treatment region. It is thus possible to monitor the gas pressures during heat treatment and thereby stop the heat treatment once a desired charge stoichiometry is achieved.

Abstract: The invention relates to an optical waveguide comprising at least a non linear optical (NLO) polymer.

Abstract: An apparatus for gating an optical signal comprising: an input stage arranged to receive and combine first and second optical control signals (ON, OFF) of first and second wavelengths, and an optical signal (SIGNAL IN) to be gated of a third wavelength. A gain medium is arranged to receive the signals SIGNAL IN, ON and OFF from the input stage. The gain medium (e.g. YAG) comprises a transition metal dopant (e.g. Cr4+) that has an excited state populatable by the first control signal and depopulatable by the second control signal to allow selective amplification of the optical signal to be gated by stimulated emission from the excited state responsive to the control signals. The amplification process has a very fast switch-on time that is several orders of magnitude faster than in prior art devices based on the rare earth dopant Er3+.

Abstract: The invention relates to new polymers useful in non linear optical (NLO) applications, particularly as optical waveguide materials.