Abstract: A compressor for a heat transfer circuit includes a variable frequency drive (VFD), an electric motor that rotates a driveshaft, bearing(s) for supporting the driveshaft, a backup gas supply, and a power supply. During a utility power interruption, the backup gas supply operates utilizing DC electrical power generated by a back electromotive force of the electric motor. A method of operating an electric power supply system for a compressor includes operating in a utility power mode and operating in a backup power mode during a utility power interruption. In the utility power mode, AC electrical power is supplied from the VFD to the motor. In the backup power mode, DC electrical power generated in the VFD by a back electromotive force of the motor it used to operate a backup gas supply to supply compressed working fluid to gas bearing(s) of the compressor.

Abstract: Disclosed is a hermetic AC electric motor that includes harmonics shunting such that high frequency harmonics are shunted from the AC electric motor without the use of one or more high frequency filters in the associated motor drive. A related method of operating an AC electric motor includes shunting high frequency harmonics to a fluid passing through the AC electric motor. Also disclosed is a simplified variable speed motor drive system which eliminates the need for a filter for removing high frequency harmonics.

Abstract: A color display having a monochromatic light source, an optical switch and an array of pixels formed of anisotropically emitting photoluminescent material may be combined such that large losses often associated with color filter and polarizers are avoided such that a high efficient display results. The optical switch may be a liquid crystal device that is tuned to the wavelength of the monochromatic light source. The monochromatic light source may be made from OLED material that emits in the violet, near UV or blue spectrum and may be polarized. The array of pixels may include a transmissive pixel when the backlight spectrum is the same as the color of one of the pixels.

Abstract: A micromechanical mirror combined with a photoluminescent screen is able to efficiently use light from the light source. In such a device, the light source produces light that is directed onto the micromechanical mirror. The micromechanical mirror then selectively reflects the light onto a photoluminescent screen. The light excites the photoluminescent screen to produce the desired picture. The photoluminescent screen may include sets of pixels that convert light from the light source to provide the desired picture. Typically, each pixel set includes a red, green and blue portion although any suitable combination of colors and number of pixels may be used. Each pixel set portion converts the light received from the light source into its respective color by photoluminescence. Alternatively, the photoluminescent screen may include transparent and/or scattering portions instead of photoluminescent portions of a certain color when the light source has a spectrum which is limited to one color.

Abstract: Disclosed are a device and methods for obtaining signals related to blood analytes and bone features by collecting spectra, such as fluorescence and Raman spectra, through the nail of a finger or toe. The invention additionally provides methods of modulating blood flow in a tissue of a subject.

Abstract: An illuminant that also functions as decorative wallpaper or as an architectural decoration is disclosed. The illuminant may include a light generation part such as an organic light emitting material, a light guide such as a tapered light guide, and a surface pattern. The light source generates the light that is guided to small opening in the surface pattern to provide illumination. The surface pattern may be formed as a decoration or subsequently processed to form the decoration.

Abstract: An illuminant that also functions as decorative wallpaper or as an architectural decoration is disclosed. The illuminant may include a light generation part such as an organic light emitting material, a light guide such as a tapered light guide, and a surface pattern. The light source generates the light that is guided to small opening in the surface pattern to provide illumination. The surface pattern may be formed as a decoration or subsequently processed to form the decoration.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for obtaining feedback to drive a servo system for aligning and maintaining alignment in optical systems that bring light to an in vivo skin sample, for adjusting the focus of the optical system, and for adjusting the net depth of focus of the optical system within the in vivo system under characterization. These methods comprise adjusting the angle of incidence of electromagnetic radiation and/or providing a shielding lens to block scattered incident light, or otherwise limiting the field of view of the Raman scattered radiation collection system to exclude optical surfaces of the excitation delivery portion of the optical system. In one embodiment, the method comprises discriminating between Raman signals originating on outer portions of skin from signals originating from substances deeper within the skin or other tissues. In another embodiment, the invention provides a method for detecting skin abnormalities and for assessing the aging of skin and related tissues.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and materials for obtaining spatially resolved images of specific types of tissues. The method for imaging tissue comprises administering to the tissue a deuterated imaging agent and performing spectroscopy, preferably Raman spectroscopy. Electromagnetic radiation, such as a near infrared laser beam, is directed to a tissue of interest. The radiation can be scanned across and within the tissue of interest. When used in combination with a light collection system, it is possible to map out a specific volume of tissue, obtaining information regarding the distribution of specific endogenous chemical species. In some embodiments, specific imaging agents are employed to impart contrast between chemically different types of tissues.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for obtaining feedback to drive a servo system for aligning and maintaining alignment in optical systems that bring light to an in vivo skin sample, for adjusting the focus of the optical system, and for adjusting the net depth of focus of the optical system within the in vivo system under characterization. The invention additionally provides a method for obtaining feedback to drive a servo system for aligning and maintaining alignment in optical systems that collect light from an in vivo skin sample, and for adjusting the focus of the optical system. These methods comprise adjusting the angle of incidence of electromagnetic radiation and/or providing a shielding lens to block scattered incident light, or otherwise limiting the field of view of the Raman scattered radiation collection system to exclude optical surfaces of the excitation delivery portion of the optical system. Also provided is a method for identifying spectroscopic depth markers in tissues.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of modulating temperature of tissue in a subject to be spectroscopically probed. In a preferred embodiment, the method comprises applying a tissue modulation device of the invention to the tissue, passing current through the temperature regulating element so as to elevate or lower the temperature of the tissue, and passing electromagnetic radiation through the window of the device. Preferably, spectroscopic probing is performed when the temperature of the tissue has been elevated or lowered and when the temperature of the tissue is not elevated or lowered. The method can further comprise collecting Raman spectra emitted by the tissue. The invention also provides a method for determining phase transition, and a method for determining lipid content and identity and protein content and identity in a tissue of a subject.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus for measuring an analyte in a tissue of a subject. The method comprises contacting the tissue with electromagnetic radiation having a first excitation wavelength, wherein the first excitation wavelength is substantially equal to an absorption wavelength of a temperature probe within the tissue. The temperature probe and the analyte are sufficiently proximate to one another that energy deposited into one by absorption of radiation is transferred to the other. The Raman spectra emitted by the tissue are collected and analyzed to determine a concentration of analyte present in the tissue. The analysis can comprise measuring the Raman spectra associated with the temperature probe.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and materials for obtaining spatially resolved images of specific types of tissues. The method for imaging tissue comprises administering to the tissue a deuterated imaging agent and performing spectroscopy, preferably Raman spectroscopy. Electromagnetic radiation, such as a near infrared laser beam, is directed to a tissue of interest. The radiation can be scanned across and within the tissue of interest. When used in combination with a light collection system, it is possible to map out a specific volume of tissue, obtaining information regarding the distribution of specific endogenous chemical species. In some embodiments, specific imaging agents are employed to impart contrast between chemically different types of tissues.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for obtaining feedback to drive a servo system for aligning and maintaining alignment in optical systems that bring light to an in vivo skin sample, for adjusting the focus of the optical system, and for adjusting the net depth of focus of the optical system within the in vivo system under characterization. The invention additionally provides a method for obtaining feedback to drive a servo system for aligning and maintaining alignment in optical systems that collect light from an in vivo skin sample, and for adjusting the focus of the optical system. These methods comprise adjusting the angle of incidence of electromagnetic radiation and/or providing a shielding lens to block scattered incident light, or otherwise limiting the field of view of the Raman scattered radiation collection system to exclude optical surfaces of the excitation delivery portion of the optical system. Also provided is a method for identifying spectroscopic depth markers in tissues.

Abstract: A twisted nematic liquid crystal display utilizes a premodifying or contouring circuit to provide inverse characteristics of the LCD. The contouring circuit compensates for the non-Lambertian characteristics of the liquid crystal display. This system provides a superior contrast ratio, gray-scale performance and stable chromaticity. The contour circuit can include a holographic diffuser.

Abstract: Disclosed is a tissue modulation device for use dining spectroscopy of tissue of a subject. In one embodiment, the device comprises an inner sheath, an outer sheath and a window disposed through the inner and outer sheaths, wherein the inner and outer sheaths comprise a sufficiently flexible material that the device can be secured to a region of tissue to be spectroscopically probed, wherein the inner and outer sheaths are joined to one another so that at least one temperature regulating element can be disposed between the inner and outer sheaths, and wherein the window is sufficiently transparent that electromagnetic radiation can be delivered to and collected from an underlying tissue through the inner and outer sheaths. The invention additionally provides a method of modulating temperature of tissue in a subject to be spectroscopically probed.

Abstract: Methods are provided for noninvasively measuring blood volume and analyte concentration and for obtaining spectroscopic information relating to immobile tissues, such as skin. One method is for determining concentration of an analyte, such as glucose, in blood of a subject. The method comprises irradiating a region of tissue, such as a fingertip, of the subject with a light source; collecting fluorescence spectra emitted by the region of tissue, the quantity of fluorescence spectra being indicative of blood volume; and collecting Raman spectra emitted by the region of tissue at a wavelength range that corresponds to the analyte. The method further comprises dividing the collected Raman spectra by the collected fluorescence spectra to obtain a number proportional to the concentration of analyte per unit blood volume.

Abstract: Disclosed is a tissue modulation device comprising an upper surface and a lower surface, wherein the upper surface comprises a recessed region adjacent to a raised region, wherein the device is optically transparent in at least one of the recessed region or the raised region, wherein application of a first portion of a tissue to the raised region depresses the first portion of the tissue relative to a second portion of the tissue that is in apposition to the recessed region, and wherein the optically transparent region of the device is curved at the lower surface to substantially reduce backscattered light in a light path traveling through the optically transparent region to a light collection system. Also disclosed is a method of noninvasive spectroscopic measurement of an analyte in a subject.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus for measuring an analyte in a tissue of a subject. The method comprises contacting the tissue with electromagnetic radiation having a first excitation wavelength, wherein the first excitation wavelength is substantially equal to an absorption wavelength of a temperature probe within the tissue. The temperature probe and the analyte are sufficiently proximate to one another that energy deposited into one by absorption of radiation is transferred to the other. The Raman spectra emitted by the tissue are collected and analyzed to determine a concentration of analyte present in the tissue. The analysis can comprise measuring the Raman spectra associated with the temperature probe.

Abstract: Methods of diagnosis of gestational diabetes mellitus are disclosed. In preferred embodiments, a blood sample is obtained from a pregnant female in the 24th to 28th week of pregnancy after an overnight fast, after a 1-hour 50-gram glucose challenge test, or at the 1-hour time point during a 3-hour 100-gram oral glucose tolerance test. The concentrations of fasting plasma glucose and glycosylated plasma proteins in this blood sample are then determined. A fasting plasma glucose concentration equal to or exceeding 90 mg/dL is 100% sensitive and 64% specific in predicting glucose-related macrosomia (i.e., birth weight above 4000 grams). A glycosylated plasma protein concentration equal to or exceeding 23% is 100% sensitive and 52% specific in predicting glucose-related macrosomia. A fasting plasma protein value equal to or exceeding 90 mg/dL and a glycosylated plasma protein value equal to or exceeding 23% is 100% sensitive and 93% specific in predicting glucose-related macrosomia.