Abstract: The invention features a method for producing replicas of a desired structure, a master and a mold obtained from it for use in such a method. The master includes a desired structure (200) to be reproduced and an additional structure (206, 208) that assists in removal of the master from a mold, e.g. by permitting portions of the mold on opposite sides of the additional structure to flex away from one another when the master is removed from the mold. The method includes immersing the master comprising the desired structure (200) and the additional structure (206, 208) in a molding material (142), solidifying the molding material (142) to make a mold, removing the master from the mold and using the mold to produce replicas of the desired structure (200).

Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems that include: (a) an objective lens system configured to collect light from a sample; (b) a first aperture positioned to allow a portion of the collected light received from the objective lens system to pass as input light; (c) a first lens positioned to transmit the input light received from the first aperture; (d) a dispersive element configured to spatially disperse the input light received from the first lens in a first plane; (e) a second lens positioned to transmit the spatially dispersed light; (f) a second aperture positioned to allow a portion of the spatially dispersed light received from the second lens to pass as detection light; and (g) a detector positioned to receive the detection light and configured to form at least one image of the sample.

Abstract: The invention features a method for producing replicas of a desired structure, a master and a mold obtained from it for use in such a method. The master includes a desired structure (200) to be reproduced and an additional structure (206, 208) that assists in removal of the master from a mold, e.g. by permitting portions of the mold on opposite sides of the additional structure to flex away from one another when the master is removed from the mold. The method includes immersing the master comprising the desired structure (200) and the additional structure (206, 208) in a molding material (142), solidifying the molding material (142) to make a mold, removing the master from the mold and using the mold to produce replicas of the desired structure (200).

Abstract: A method includes detecting a plasmon resonance in a material based on a change in at least one electrical property of the material. For example, the material can be a sensor portion of an electrical circuit, wherein the method can further include: exposing the sensor portion to a test material; optically illuminating the sensor portion when the test material is present, and monitoring the change in the at least one electrical property of the sensor portion in response to the optical illumination. The monitored changed in the at least one electrical property of the sensor portion can provide information about the test material, such as the presence or absence of selected analytes and/or their binding affinities. In another example, the material is a part of a receiver for a plasmonic circuit. An apparatus for carrying out the method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method is provided for the fabrication of a fibrous structure. Fibers are deposited in a hopper connected to an electrode. A mesh covers the hopper opening and the hopper is inverted and suspended over an adhesive coated substrate. An electric field is generated between the hopper and the substrate while the hopper is simultaneously shaken. As a result, fibers fall through the mesh, aligned along the electric field lines, travel through the electric field, and are coupled on one end thereof to the adhesive.