Abstract: Nanostructures and methods of making the same are described. In one aspect, a film including a vector polymer comprising a payload moiety is formed on a substrate. The film is patterned. Organic components of the patterned film are removed to form a payload-comprising nanoparticle.

Abstract: Optical phase detection includes generating a first lightwave having a first polarization and a second lightwave having a polarization that is offset from the first polarization, and imposing a relative delay between the first and second lightwaves. The relative delay causes a frequency offset between the lightwaves as wavelength is tuned over a designated wavelength range. Directing the first and second lightwaves to a target provides a third lightwave and a fourth lightwave. A polarization component of the third lightwave and a polarization component of the fourth lightwave are detected to provide a detected signal at the frequency offset. The optical phase detection then includes extracting a phase difference, induced by the target, between the polarization components of the third and the fourth lightwaves.

Abstract: A method for detecting the presence of target molecules bound to a working electrode in a first location. The first location is coated with a detection solution containing labeling molecules that include a first charge-separation moiety attached to a first molecule that binds to the target molecule. The first charge-separation moiety includes a material that generates hole-electron pairs in response to being illuminated by light in a first band of wavelengths. After removing any unbound labeling, the working electrode is immersed in a solution containing a compound that is oxidized by the generated holes. The first location is then selectively illuminated with light in the first band; and the change in the current and/or potential is measured between the working electrode and a reference electrode in contact with the solution. The first charge-separation moiety is preferably constructed from particles of a semiconducting material such as TiO2.

Abstract: The invention provides a solid support for adsorbing a biomolecule. The support comprises a surface coating having a non-nucleotidic polymer tethered to a surface reactive site. The polymer comprises a backbone, terminus, and adsorbing moieties covalently attached to the backbone and capable of adsorbing a biomolecule that can assume a plurality of conformations. The polymer is generally tethered to the surface at its terminus and the backbone exhibits sufficient mobility and flexibility such that a biomolecule adsorbed by the adsorbing moieties can assume a desired conformation for hybridization. Also provided is a process for preparing a surface coating having a functionalized surface.

Abstract: Ligand array assays that exhibit reduced dye degradation and compositions for use in practicing the same are provided. A feature of the subject methods is that they include a label degradation inhibitor deposition step. In this degradation inhibitor deposition step, the surface of a sample exposed array is contacted with a low surface tension fluid, e.g., acetonitrile, that includes a fluorescent dye degradation inhibitor. Also provided are kits for use in practicing the subject methods. The subject methods-and kits find use in a variety of ligand array based applications, including genomic and proteomic applications.

Abstract: The present invention is a film and method for making the same. The film includes a plurality of particles having a desired film property that are entrapped in a matrix of linkage polymer molecules. The linkage polymer molecules ionically bind to the particles. The linkage polymer molecules are electrochemically polymerizable in a solvent. The particles are insoluble in the solvent. The film is prepared by providing an electrode and a solution of the linkage polymer molecules in which the particles are suspended. An electrical potential is provided between the solution and the electrode in temporal sequence that causes the linkage polymer molecules to polymerize in the vicinity of the electrode thereby entrapping the particles.

Abstract: An encoded patterned microbead of polymeric material capable of linking to a ligand molecule, a process for fabricating patterned microbeads, a reader to read the patterned microbead, and methods to produce the patterned microbead are disclosed. A unique identifier is written to the encoded patterned microbead according to one of several well-known techniques. A reader of the present invention, as well as conventional readers, read the encoded patterned microbeads.

Abstract: An encoded patterned microbead of polymeric material, with an associated geometry, capable of linking to a ligand molecule, processes for fabricating shaped and patterned microbeads, a reader to read the patterned microbead, and methods to produce and read the shaped and patterned microbead are disclosed. A unique identifier is written to the encoded patterned microbead and the encoded patterned microbead is given an identifying shape according to one of several well-known techniques. A reader of the present invention, as well as conventional readers, read the shaped, encoded, patterned microbeads.

Abstract: A polyaryl-ether-ketone (PAEK)-based microfluidic device having an integrated electrospray emitter is disclosed. Bonding of at least one PAEK substrate forming the microfluidic device is accomplished using a solvent-resistant adhesive, such as a polyimide-based adhesive, in combination with an adhesion enhancement treatment. By providing the PAEK-based microfluidic device with an integrated electrospray emitter, efficient and effective analysis of fluid samples is enabled.

Abstract: A method of fabricating an array of biopolymer probes bound to a surface of a substrate. The method includes depositing drops, at least some of which contain probe precursors, onto the substrate surface so that the probe precursors bind to the surface through a linker. This can be repeated multiple times with the probe precursor deposited in a prior cycle becomes the linker for a probe precursor deposited in a subsequent cycle, so as to form the array. The deposited drops may have a viscosity modifier or the viscosities of them may be otherwise controlled as discussed herein. Kits and compositions are further provided.

Abstract: The present invention is a film and method for making the same. The film includes a plurality of particles having a desired film property that are entrapped in a matrix of linkage polymer molecules. The linkage polymer molecules ionically bind to the particles. The linkage polymer molecules are electrochemically polymerizable in a solvent. The particles are insoluble in the solvent. The film is prepared by providing an electrode and a solution of the linkage polymer molecules in which the particles are suspended. An electrical potential is provided between the solution and the electrode in temporal sequence that causes the linkage polymer molecules to polymerize in the vicinity of the electrode thereby entrapping the particles.

Abstract: An organic light emitting device having a process compatible current self-limiting (CSL) structure applied in the vicinity of an electrode of the device prevents the occurrence of high current flow in the vicinity of a short within the device. Should a short occur, the CSL structure becomes resistive, or non-conducting in the vicinity of the short, thus preventing the occurrence of “runaway” current in the vicinity of the short. By limiting the current flow between conductors in the device, the non-emissive areas of the device can be minimized, thus improving the overall reliability of the device.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the detection of analyte(s) of interest in a test sample using a rupturable microcapsule biosensor. In general, the microcapsule biosensor includes a microcapsule comprising a shell encapsulating a detectable agent and further includes a probe that is joined to the shell of the microcapsule. The present invention contemplates generally using the microcapsule biosensor to determine if a test sample contains an analyte of interest by exposing the microcapsule biosensor to the test sample and allowing the probe to potentially bind to the analyte. External force is applied to the microcapsule to rupture the shell releasing the detectable agent and thereby indicating the presence of the analyte of interest in the test sample.

Abstract: An electroluminescent device and method for making the same. The electroluminescent device includes a substrate that is impermeable to water and oxygen having a first electrode thereon. An electroluminescent layer is in electrical contact with the first electrode, and a second electrode is in electrical contact with the electroluminescent layer. A seal having layers of epoxy and alternating with layers of SiNH prevents water and oxygen from reaching the second electrode. The epoxy preferably has a cure temperature less than 140° C. Similarly, the silicon nitride layer is preferably deposited at a temperature below 140° C. The layer of SiNH preferably has an etch rate of less than 50 A/sec in 10% HF solution.

Abstract: An adjustable nanopore is fabricated by placing the surfaces of two planar substrates in contact, wherein each substrate contains a hole having sharp corners and edges. A corner is brought into proximity with an edge to define a triangular aperture of variable area. Ionic current in a liquid solution and through the aperture is monitored as the area of the aperture is adjusted by moving one planar substrate with respect to the other along two directional axes and a rotational axis. Piezoelectric positioners can provide subnanometer repeatability in the adjustment process. The invention is useful for characterizing, cleaving, and capturing molecules, molecular complexes, and supramolecular complexes which pass through the nanopore, and provides an improvement over previous devices in which the hole size of nanopores fabricated by etching and/or redeposition is fixed after fabrication.

Abstract: A method of fabricating nanosized holes with controlled geometries employs tools and methods developed in the microelectronics industry. The method exploits the fact that epitaxially grown film thicknesses can be controlled within a few atomic monolayers and that by using etching techniques, trenches and channels can be created that are only a few nanometers wide. The method involves bonding two shallow channels at an angle such that a nanopore is defined by the intersection. Thus, a nanopore-defining device includes a nanopore with dimensions that are determined by the dimensions and orientations of the intersecting channels, with the dimensions being accurately controlled within a few monolayers.

Abstract: An electroluminescent device and method for making the same. The electroluminescent device includes a substrate that is impermeable to water and oxygen having a first electrode thereon. An electroluminescent layer is in electrical contact with the first electrode, and a second electrode is in electrical contact with the electroluminescent layer. A seal having layers of epoxy and alternating with layers of SiNH prevents water and oxygen from reaching the second electrode. The epoxy preferably has a cure temperature less than 140° C. Similarly, the silicon nitride layer is preferably deposited at a temperature below 140° C. The layer of SiNH preferably has an etch rate of less than 50 A/sec in 10% HF solution.

Abstract: An OLED for emitting light at a predetermined peak wavelength, &lgr;. The OLED includes an anode layer, a cathode layer and an electroluminescent layer constructed from an organic light emitting compound that generates light, including light having a wavelength equal to &lgr;, by the recombination of holes and electrons. The electroluminescent layer is electrically connected to the anode layer and the cathode layer and is located between the anode and cathode layers. The OLED includes a first reflector and a second reflector, displaced from one another. The anode layer or cathode layer can serve as one of the reflectors. A spacer layer constructed from a material that is transparent at &lgr; is included between the reflectors and has a thickness that is adjusted such that the optical path length between the first and second reflectors is equal to N &lgr;/2, where N is a positive integer.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and sensors for detecting target biological molecules. Biosensors feature photoactivatable charge separation moieties capable of generating electron-hole pairs upon photoinduction. Photoinduced charge carriers participate in redox reactions that are detectable, for example, by optical, chemical, or electronic means.

Abstract: A display device and a method for fabricating the display device. A display device according to the present invention is fabricated from an electrode layer that includes a plurality of electrodes on a substrate. The electrode layer is immersed in a solution of a first precursor polymer in a first solvent. The first precursor polymer includes a plurality of electrochemical polymerizable monomers. Each monomer has first and second polymer-forming active sites that can be joined by electrochemical polymerization and third and fourth polymer-forming active sites that can be joined chemically in solution. The first precursor polymer is soluble in the first solvent whereas a first polymer formed by electrochemical polymerization of the first and second polymer-forming active sites is insoluble in the first solvent.