Abstract: A bonding substrate is described having a contacting pad made of copper or a copper-based alloy for bonding wire, the contacting pad being covered with a corrosion inhibitor layer containing a nitrogen-containing aliphates as an active substance and a nitrogen-containing heterocyclic aromatics as a further active substance. The corrosion inhibitor layer, without any water content, contains 5% by weight or more of urea derivative or 3% by weight or more of triphenylguanidine or 2% by weight or more of tetrazole derivative or 5% by weight or more of 1-H-benzotriazole or 5% by weight or more of benzimidazole. In addition, an electronic module having such a bonding substrate and a method of protecting from corrosion surfaces made of copper or a copper-base alloy provided for wire bonding are disclosed.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses are provided that greatly expand the utility of conventional hollow waveguide-based sensors via either straight, substrate-integrated channels or via meandering (e.g., circuitous, curved or folded optical paths) waveguide sensor designs. Full- or hybrid-integration of the meandering hollow waveguide with light source, detector, and light-guiding optics facilitates compact yet high-performance gas/vapor and/or liquid sensors of the substrate-integrated hollow waveguide sensor.

Abstract: A double-pass fiber-optic based spectroscopic gas sensor delivers Raman excitation light and infrared light to a hollow structure, such as a hollow fiber waveguide, that contains a gas sample of interest. A retro-reflector is placed at the end of this hollow structure to send the light back through the waveguide where the light is detected at the same end as the light source. This double pass retro reflector design increases the interaction path length of the light and the gas sample, and also reduces the form factor of the hollow structure.

Abstract: A first waveguide has a top face positioned in an oil well borehole for wetting by returning drilling mud from a drill bit as drilling progresses. A second waveguide is positioned in the borehole for wetting by new drilling mud being pumped to the drill bit. MIR light rays are fed from an MIR light source into the first and second waveguides for causing evanescent waves to be generated by each waveguide for reacting with the molecules of the associated drilling mud, respectfully, whereby a modulated optical signal representative of spectra of components and particles in the associated drilling mud, respectively, are emitted from each waveguide. The modulated optical signals are converted to electrical signals, subtracted from one another to remove common mode signals, and passed into a processor programmed for extracting the spectra hydrocarbon components contained in the returning drilling mud as the result of the drilling activity.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses are provided that greatly expand the utility of conventional hollow waveguide-based sensors via either straight, substrate-integrated channels or via meandering (e.g., circuitous, curved or folded optical paths) waveguide sensor designs. Full- or hybrid-integration of the meandering hollow waveguide with light source, detector, and light-guiding optics facilitates compact yet high-performance gas/vapor and/or liquid sensors of the substrate-integrated hollow waveguide sensor.

Abstract: Briefly described, embodiments of this disclosure, among others, include solid state, thin film waveguides, detection systems including waveguides, and methods of detecting target compounds.

Abstract: A first waveguide has a top face positioned in an oil well borehole for wetting by returning drilling mud from a drill bit as drilling progresses. A second waveguide is positioned in the borehole for wetting by new drilling mud being pumped to the drill bit. MIR light rays are fed from an MIR light source into the first and second waveguides for causing evanescent waves to be generated by each waveguide for reacting with the molecules of the associated drilling mud, respectfully, whereby a modulated optical signal representative of spectra of components and particles in the associated drilling mud, respectively, are emitted from each waveguide. The modulated optical signals are converted to electrical signals, subtracted from one another to remove common mode signals, and passed into a processor programmed for extracting the spectra hydrocarbon components contained in the returning drilling mud as the result of the drilling activity.

Abstract: A double-pass fiber-optic based spectroscopic gas sensor delivers Raman excitation light and infrared light to a hollow structure, such as a hollow fiber waveguide, that contains a gas sample of interest. A retro-reflector is placed at the end of this hollow structure to send the light back through the waveguide where the light is detected at the same end as the light source. This double pass retro reflector design increases the interaction path length of the light and the gas sample, and also reduces the form factor of the hollow structure.

Abstract: Briefly described, embodiments of this disclosure include near-field scanning measurement-alternating current-scanning electrochemical microscopy devices, near-field scanning measurement-alternating current-scanning electrochemical microscopy systems, methods of using near-field scanning measurement-alternating current-scanning electrochemical microscopy, atomic force measurement-alternating current-scanning electrochemical microscopy (AFM-AC-SECM) devices, AFM-AC-SECM systems, methods of using AFM-AC-SECM, and the like.

Abstract: Briefly described, embodiments of this disclosure include integrated sensing probes, sensing systems, methods of detecting a target compound, and the like. One exemplary integrated sensing probe, among others, includes: a substrate, a circular corrugated reflective surface, and a coaxial waveguide structure, wherein the corrugated reflective surface and the coaxial waveguide structure are disposed on the substrate, wherein the coaxial waveguide structure is positioned at the center of the circular corrugated reflective surface.

Abstract: Briefly described, embodiments of this disclosure, among others, include solid state, thin film waveguides, detection systems including waveguides, and methods of detecting target compounds.

Abstract: The present invention relates to materials, coatings, apparatus, and methods for removing radiocontrast agent from a patient. In accordance with one aspect of the invention, molecular imprinting technologies are utilized to create a safe, predictable and reliable medium for removal of nephrotoxic contrast agent from body fluids of a patient, such as the bloodstream. In accordance with certain aspects of the present invention, the contrast agent can be removed without mechanical filtering or any other mechanically damaging technique affecting the blood matrix. The molecularly imprinted medium (MIM) can be used to extract the contrast agent from the blood either intra- or extracorporeally.

Abstract: A method of producing a device for simultaneously carrying out an electrochemical and a topographical near field microscopy is disclosed, which is characterized in that a probe suitable for topographic near field microscopy is covered by a conductive material, the conductive material is covered by an insulating layer, and the conductive material and the insulating layer are removed in the region of the immediate tip of the probe.

Abstract: A device for simultaneously carrying out an electro-chemical and a topographical near field microscopy is described, which device comprises a region for topographical near field measurement and a region for electrochemical near field measurement, with the region for topographical near field measurement extending completely as far as to the immediate tip of the arrangement, characterized in that the region for electrochemical near field measurement starts at a defined distance from the immediate tip.

Abstract: A device for simultaneously carrying out an electro-chemical and a topographical near field microscopy is described, which device comprises a region for topographical near field measurement and a region for electrochemical near field measurement, with the region for topographical near field measurement extending completely as far as to the immediate tip of the arrangement, characterized in that the region for electrochemical near field measurement starts at a defined distance from the immediate tip.

Abstract: A method of producing a device for simultaneously carrying out an electrochemical and a topographical near field microscopy is disclosed, which is characterised in that a probe suitable for topographic near field microscopy is covered by a conductive material, the conductive material is covered by an insulating layer, and the conductive material and the insulating layer are removed in the region of the immediate tip of the probe.