Abstract: A hybrid external cavity laser and a method for configuring the laser having a stabilized wavelength is disclosed. The laser comprises a semiconductor gain section and a volume Bragg grating, wherein a laser emission from the semiconductor gain section is based on a combination of a reflectivity of a front facet of the semiconductor gain section and a reflectivity of the volume Bragg grating and the reflectivity of the semiconductor gain section and the volume Brag grating are insufficient by themselves to support the laser emission. The hybrid cavity laser further comprises an etalon that provides further wavelength stability.

Abstract: A metal oxide TFT-based sensor with multiple sensing modalities including an ion sensitive detector having an extended gate, a reservoir constructed to receive a sample carrying solution, and an ion sensitive electrode. The sensor further including a photodiode, a plurality of metal-oxide thin film transistors and a signal output. A pair of the metal-oxide thin film transistors are coupled to the photodiode, the ion sensitive detector and the output so as to provide output signals at the output alternately representative of ion emissions sensed by the ion sensitive detector and fluorescence events sensed by the photodiode.

Abstract: Electro-chemical manipulation and charge sensing apparatus includes a chemical/biochemical testing pad positioned on a dielectric substrate, a sensing circuit coupled to the testing pad, the sensing circuit including at least one MOTFT device, and a manipulation and control circuit coupled to the testing pad, the manipulation and control circuit including at least one MOTFT device. The electro-chemical manipulation and charge sensing apparatus can include a plurality of chemical/biochemical testing pads distributed in a matrix formation of rows and columns and positioned on a dielectric substrate.

Abstract: A hybrid external cavity laser and a method for configuring the laser having a stabilized wavelength is disclosed. The laser comprises a semiconductor gain section and a volume Bragg grating, wherein a laser emission from the semiconductor gain section is based on a combination of a reflectivity of a front facet of the semiconductor gain section and a reflectivity of the volume Bragg grating and the reflectivity of the semiconductor gain section and the volume Bragg grating are insufficient by themselves to support the laser emission. The hybrid cavity laser further comprises an etalon that provides further wavelength stability.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods for using a semiconductor optical amplifier (SOA) as an optical modulator for pulsed signals. In accordance with the principles of the invention, the SOA can be biased with a negative voltage to suppress transmission and improve modulator extinction and biased with a positive pulsed signal with sufficient amplitude to forward bias the amplifier (SOA), both transmitting the carrier and increasing its amplitude by means of a gain provided by the SOA under forward biased conditions. In addition, the forward bias voltage may be selected to compensate for losses within the SOA.

Abstract: A method of stabilizing nutritional drinks, and the stabilized drink, including the steps of forming edible oil microparticles, dissolving polyphenol concentrate in a liquid, and associating the polyphenol from the concentrate with the microparticles in the liquid to prevent free radicals from reaching the surface of the microparticles.

Abstract: A method of generating pathogen detecting liposomes includes a step of providing molecular beacons with fluorescing components. The molecular beacons include either strands of RNA or DNA and the fluorescing components include an emitter and a quencher. The method further uses nanodroplet technology to encapsulate the molecular beacons within a lipid membrane. Subsequently, receptors are assembled in association with the membrane.

Abstract: A circuit for control of an output current in a multiple unit cell array includes an array of unit cells arranged in rows and columns. Each unit cell includes a column select transistor being adapted for control by a column selector and a row select transistor being adapted for control by a row selector. The column select transistor and the row select transistor are connected together in series to each other and between an output node and a first supply. A return electrode is provided to complete the circuit.

Abstract: A method of generating pathogen detecting liposomes includes a step of providing molecular beacons with fluorescing components. The molecular beacons include either strands of RNA or DNA and the fluorescing components include an emitter and a quencher. The method further uses nanodroplet technology to encapsulate the molecular beacons within a lipid membrane. Subsequently, receptors are assembled in association with the membrane.

Abstract: A method of preparing a water soluble microstructure includes the steps of providing a saturated solution of a payload with poor water solubility, providing a solution of helper molecules, and combining the saturated solution of the payload with the solution of helper molecules. The combined saturated solution of the payload with the solution of helper molecules is mixed with an aqueous solution to form a water soluble microstructure. The water soluble microstructure includes the helper molecules forming an outside portion of the microstructure, and the payload having poor water solubility contained within the outside portion and forming an inside portion of the microstructure.

Abstract: A method of forming water soluble microparticles is disclosed that includes the steps of providing a water insoluble food supplement, mixing the food supplement in a water miscible polar solvent, heating the mixture to increase the solubility and dissolve the food supplement into the solvent to form a saturated solution, and streaming the solution into water to form a solvent-water mix such that microparticles of the food supplement are produced

Abstract: An ultrasonically active microparticle is taught that includes a porous interior particle having hydrophobic pores, a gas in the hydrophobic pores and a hydrophilic exterior shell surrounding the interior particle forming an ultrasonically active microparticle and allowing the microparticle to be suspended in an aqueous solution.

Abstract: A method of generating pathogen detecting liposomes includes a step of providing molecular beacons with fluorescing components. The molecular beacons include either strands of RNA or DNA and the fluorescing components include an emitter and a quencher. The method further uses nanodroplet technology to encapsulate the molecular beacons within a lipid membrane. Subsequently, receptors are assembled in association with the membrane.

Abstract: A system useful in performing active biological reactions includes an array of unit cells arranged in rows and columns. Row lines are coupled to row contacts of unit cells of the array. A row selector is coupled to the row lines to provide a row select voltage. Column lines are coupled to column contacts of the array. A column selector is coupled to the column lines to provide more than two column voltage states on the column lines. The unit cells are coupled to a supply and to an electrode, the row select and column select voltage states provides variable current output from the electrode of the unit cell. A return electrode is coupled to a potential and adapted to contact conductive solution including charged biological materials, wherein in the presence of the conductive solution, current is provided between various unit cells and the return electrode.

Abstract: A circuit for control of an output current in a multiple unit cell array includes an array of unit cells arranged in rows and columns. Each unit cell includes a column select transistor being adapted for control by a column selector and a row select transistor being adapted for control by a row selector. The column select transistor and the row select transistor are connected together in series to each other and between an output node and a first supply. A return electrode is provided to complete the circuit.

Abstract: The present invention relates to systems of microneedle arrays to align and form optical components. Active components such as lasers are combined with optical fibers. Microneedles are fabricated using techniques such as laser drilled Kapton, and combined with optical fiber, using bump bonding and UV curing adhesives to manufacture a variety of optical components.

Abstract: An electronic device for performing active biological operations includes an optically confining region including a support substrate having a via and a chip disposed in a facing arrangement with the support substrate, the chip including an array of electrodes disposed thereon. An optically accessible top member is disposed in a facing arrangement with the support substrate opposite the chip. The device further includes a source of illumination and an edge illumination layer having an input adapted to receive illumination from the source, and a terminal edge that outputs the illumination, the edge illumination layer being disposed adjacent to the support substrate. Illumination from the terminal edge of the illumination layer is directed into the optically confining region.

Abstract: Microneedle devices and methods of use thereof are provided for the enhanced transport of molecules, including drugs and biological molecules, across tissue by improving the interaction of microneedles and a deformable, elastic biological barrier, such as human skin. The devices and methods act to (1) limit the elasticity, (2) adapt to the elasticity, (3) utilize alternate ways of creating the holes for the microneedles to penetrate the biological barrier, other than the simply direct pressure of the microneedle substrate to the barrier surface, or (4) any combination of these methods. In preferred embodiments for limiting the elasticity of skin, the microneedle device includes features suitable for stretching, pulling, or pinching the skin to present a more rigid, less deformable, surface in the area to which the microneedles are applied (i.e. penetrate).

Abstract: An electronic device for performing biological operations includes a support substrate and an array of microlocations disposed on the substrate. The array of microlocations include electronically addressable electrodes. A first collection electrode is disposed on the substrate and adjacent to a first side of the array of microlocations. A second collection electrode is disposed on the substrate and adjacent to a second side of the array of microlocations, the second side of the array being opposite of the first side such that the array of microlocations is disposed between the first and second collection electrodes. A flow cell is supported on the substrate. Preferably, the combined area of the collection electrodes is a substantial fraction, preferably at least 50% of the area of the footprint of the flow cell.

Abstract: A device includes an inlet for receipt of a sample. A first chamber is coupled to the inlet and includes at least one affinity region. A second chamber is disposed adjacent to the first chamber. The first chamber and the second chamber share a common intermediate member, the intermediate member having at least one via formed in the common intermediate member. The second chamber includes an assay chip comprising an array of addressable electrodes. An outlet is coupled to the second chamber. The device may be used to selectively amplify and elute nucleic acids for subsequent detection and analysis.