Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to systems and methods for detecting viruses, e.g., using microfluidic devices. Certain embodiments are generally directed to systems and methods that are able to detect pathogens such as viruses or bacteria by encapsulating a sample in droplets, and applying amplification reagents to the droplets able to amplify nucleic acids therein, e.g., using loop mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) or other amplification techniques. In addition, some aspects are generally directed to identifying a species in a sample, e.g., at very low concentrations. In some cases, the sample may be broken into droplets, arid the droplets determined to determine the species.

Abstract: Disclosed are surprising new methods and kits for identifying and treating patients treatable with PS-targeting antibodies, particularly for identifying and treating cancer patients using bavituximab and bavituximab combination therapies. The methods and kits are based on the surprising finding that defined ranges of pre-treatment blood concentrations of ?2-glycoprotein 1 (?2GPI), particularly functional ?2GPI, act as an indicator to accurately predict patients with better treatment outcomes.

Abstract: The invention relates to microparticles comprising a crosslinked gel and methods for making and using same.

Abstract: The invention relates to microparticles comprising a crosslinked gel and methods for making and using same.

Abstract: Vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser (VCSEL) structures are described which enable their use as widely wavelength-swept coherent light sources and multiple-wavelength VCSEL arrays. Three general configurations are described: (a) a semiconductor-cavity-dominant (SCD) with high reflection at the semiconductor-air interface, (b) an extended-cavity (EC) design in which reflections at the semiconductor-air interface is reduced to insignificance compared to the SCD design with a refractive index-matched layer (i.e., AR layer) so the entire structure resonates as one cavity, and (c) an air-cavity-dominant (ACD) design which facilitates a larger field confinement in the air gap, and the increased field confinement causes the air gap to be the dominant cavity.

Abstract: An optical sensing platform with an array of sensors, a laser or broadband light source and an optical detector that utilizes surface plasmon resonance based transduction and optical detection is provided. The sensor structure of the platform has a low index support layer, a high contrast grating, a low index spacer and a thin metal film with a target recognition element. The surface plasmon resonance based sensor uses surface plasmon waves to detect changes on the surface of the sensor when a target interacts with the target recognition element. The binding of the target with a recognition element receptor will induce changes in the refractive index of the metal layer, which changes the resonance wavelength of the plasmon wave on the sensor surface, which is used to measure or observe the reaction.

Abstract: A color changing or beam steering photonic device, which combines a high contrast metastructure (HCM) having a plurality of high index grating structures, into a low index membrane. In response to physical (or electrical) deformation of the membrane the low index gaps between adjacent grating bars changes which results in changing reflectance and transmission angles for steering a single wavelength of light and for causing a color change in said photonic device when subject to multiple light wavelengths. Deformation can result from direct physical stimulus, conversion from electrical or thermal to physical, and so forth. Refractive index change can also be initiated by carrier injection through electrodes. The apparatus is exemplified for use in color displays, beam steering, labeling micro entities, mechanical deformation sensing, camouflage, anti-counterfeiting, and other fields.

Abstract: Vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser (VCSEL) structures are described which enable their use as widely wavelength-swept coherent light sources and multiple-wavelength VCSEL arrays. Three general configurations are described: (a) a semiconductor-cavity-dominant (SCD) with high reflection at the semiconductor-air interface, (b) an extended-cavity (EC) design in which reflections at the semiconductor-air interface is reduced to insignificance compared to the SCD design with a refractive index-matched layer (i.e., AR layer) so the entire structure resonates as one cavity, and (c) an air-cavity-dominant (ACD) design which facilitates a larger field confinement in the air gap, and the increased field confinement causes the air gap to be the dominant cavity.

Abstract: The invention relates to microparticles comprising a crosslinked gel and methods for making and using same.

Abstract: An optical sensing platform with an array of sensors, a laser or broadband light source and an optical detector that utilizes surface plasmon resonance based transduction and optical detection is provided. The sensor structure of the platform has a low index support layer, a high contrast grating, a low index spacer and a thin metal film with a target recognition element. The surface plasmon resonance based sensor uses surface plasmon waves to detect changes on the surface of the sensor when a target interacts with the target recognition element. The binding of the target with a recognition element receptor will induce changes in the refractive index of the metal layer, which changes the resonance wavelength of the plasmon wave on the sensor surface, which is used to measure or observe the reaction.

Abstract: A color changing or beam steering photonic device, which combines a high contrast metastructure (HCM) having a plurality of high index grating structures, into a low index membrane. In response to physical (or electrical) deformation of the membrane the low index gaps between adjacent grating bars changes which results in changing reflectance and transmission angles for steering a single wavelength of light and for causing a color change in said photonic device when subject to multiple light wavelengths. Deformation can result from direct physical stimulus, conversion from electrical or thermal to physical, and so forth. Refractive index change can also be initiated by carrier injection through electrodes. The apparatus is exemplified for use in color displays, beam steering, labeling micro entities, mechanical deformation sensing, camouflage, anti-counterfeiting, and other fields.

Abstract: The invention relates to microparticles comprising a crosslinked gel and methods for making and using same.

Abstract: A surface emitting laser apparatus is formed using a patterned silicon-on-insulator (SOI)-like substrate which is patterned with a buried sub-wavelength high contrast grating and adapted for bonding of a half-VCSEL device containing at least an active region and an upper mirror, to create a VCSEL. The wavelength of the VCSEL, or any individual VCSEL within an array of VCSEL devices, can be set in response to changing HCG characteristics of the lower mirror in the SOI-like substrate, or in the region above the lower mirror within the half-VCSEL. The inventive VCSEL device and fabrication method are beneficial for a number of application and devices.

Abstract: A vertical optical coupler which redirects light transmission in response to the interaction between a sub-wavelength high contrast grating (HCG) having a plurality of spaced apart segments of grating material which is optically coupled to a waveguide. For a selected set of material, grating geometry, gaps and spacing, the light directed at a normal incidence into the optical coupler is angularly displaced in traveling in the optical waveguide, while light directed along the optical waveguide is angularly displaced in being output at normal incidence from the optical coupler. The coupler is integrated into a number of device embodiments, including: a coupler between angularly displaced waveguides, lasers, light emitting diodes (LEDs) and solar cells.

Abstract: Monolithically integrated optical resonators are disclosed. An optical resonator may be a nanopillar optical resonator that is formed directly on a substrate and promotes a helically-propagating cavity mode. The helically-propagating cavity mode may result in significant reflection or, total internal reflection at an interface of the nanopillar optical resonator and the substrate even if refractive indices of the nanopillar optical resonator and the substrate are the same or similar. As a result, strong optical feedback, and thus strong resonance, may be provided in the nanopillar optical resonator.

Abstract: A short-cavity semiconductor laser heterostructure, such as a vertical-cavity surface emitting laser (VCSEL) comprising a laser cavity having upper and lower surfaces and an active region disposed between the upper and lower surfaces for generating light and emitting light substantially perpendicular to the upper surface of the cavity, an upper high contrast grating (HGC) mirror disposed adjacent to the upper surface of the laser cavity, and a lower HCG mirror disposed adjacent to the lower surface of the laser cavity.

Abstract: A dual usage HCG VCSEL detector is provided with a high contrast grating (HCG) reflector first reflector that has a two dimensional periodic structure. The two dimensional structure is a periodic structure that is a symmetric structure with periodic repeating. The symmetrical structure provides that polarization modes of light are undistinguishable. A second reflector is in an opposing relationship to the first reflector. A tunable optical cavity is between the first and second reflectors. An active region is positioned in the cavity between the first and second reflectors. The photodetector is polarization independent. An MQW light absorber is included converts light to electrons. A dual usage HCG VCSEL-detector includes a high contrast grating (HCG) reflector first reflector, and a second reflector in an opposing relationship to the first reflector. A tunable optical cavity is between the first and second reflectors. An active region is positioned in the cavity between the first and second reflectors.

Abstract: Embodiments of a monolithically integrated optical resonator are disclosed. In one embodiment, the optical resonator is a nanopillar optical resonator that is formed directly on a substrate and promotes a helically-propagating cavity mode. The helically-propagating cavity mode results in significant reflection or, in some embodiments, total internal reflection at an interface of the nanopillar optical resonator and the substrate even if refractive indices of the nanopillar optical resonator and the substrate are the same or similar. As a result, strong optical feedback, and thus strong resonance, is provided in the nanopillar optical resonator.

Abstract: A photodetector is provided with a high contrast grating (HCG) reflector first reflector that has a two dimensional periodic structure. The two dimensional structure is a periodic structure that is a symmetric structure with periodic repeating. The symmetrical structure provides that polarization modes of light are undistinguishable. A second reflector is in an opposing relationship to the first reflector. A tunable optical cavity is between the first and second reflectors. An active region is positioned in the cavity between the first and second reflectors. The photodetector is polarization independent. An MQW light absorber is included converts light to electrons.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a catalyst-free growth mode of defect-free Gallium Arsenide (GaAs)-based nanoneedles on silicon (Si) substrates with a complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS)-compatible growth temperature of around 400° C. Each nanoneedle has a sharp 2 to 5 nanometer (nm) tip, a 600 nm wide base and a 4 micrometer (?m) length. Thus, the disclosed nanoneedles are substantially hexagonal needle-like crystal structures that assume a 6° to 9° tapered shape. The 600 nm wide base allows the typical micro-fabrication processes, such as optical lithography, to be applied. Therefore, nanoneedles are an ideal platform for the integration of optoelectronic devices on Si substrates. A nanoneedle avalanche photodiode (APD) grown on silicon is presented in this disclosure as a device application example. The APD attains a high current gain of 265 with only 8V bias.