Abstract: Data processing modules including a housing and optical interfaces associated with the exterior of the housing, and systems including the same.

Abstract: A method of positioning a catalyst nanoparticle that facilitates nanowire growth for nanowire-based device fabrication employs a structure having a vertical sidewall formed on a substrate. The methods include forming the structure, forming a targeted region in a surface of either the structure or the substrate, and forming a catalyst nanoparticle in the targeted region using one of a variety of techniques. The techniques control the position of the catalyst nanoparticle for subsequent nanowire growth. A resonant sensor system includes a nanowire-based resonant sensor and means for accessing the nanowire. The sensor includes an electrode and a nanowire resonator. The electrode is electrically isolated from the substrate. One or more of the substrate is electrically conductive, the nanowire resonator is electrically conductive, and the sensor further comprises another electrode. The nanowire resonator responds to an environmental change by displaying a change in oscillatory behavior.

Abstract: Methods of making nanometer-scale semiconductor structures with controlled size are disclosed. Semiconductor structures that include one or more nanowires are also disclosed. The nanowires can include a passivation layer or have a hollow tube structure.

Abstract: A sensing system includes a nanowire, a passivation layer established on at least a portion of the nanowire, and a barrier layer established on the passivation layer.

Abstract: A sensing device includes an optical cavity having two substantially opposed reflective surfaces. At least one nanowire is operatively disposed in the optical cavity. A plurality of metal nanoparticles is established on the at least one nanowire.

Abstract: Data processing modules including a housing and optical interfaces associated with the exterior of the housing, and systems including the same.

Abstract: A contact lithography apparatus, system and method use a deformation to facilitate pattern transfer. The apparatus, system and method include a spacer that provides a spaced apart parallel and proximal orientation of lithographic elements, such as a mask and a substrate, when in mutual contact with the spacer. One or more of the mask, the substrate and the spacer is deformable, such that deformation thereof facilitates the pattern transfer.

Abstract: A contact lithography apparatus and a method use one or both of spacers and a mesa to facilitate pattern transfer. The apparatus and the method include one or both of a spacer that provides a spaced apart orientation of lithographic elements, such as a patterning tool and a substrate, when in mutual contact with the spacer and a mesa between the patterning tool and the substrate. The mesa supports a contact surface of one or both of the mold and the substrate. One or both of the spacers and the mesa may be non-uniform. One or more of the patterning tool, the substrate and the spacer is deformable, such that deformation thereof facilitates the pattern transfer.

Abstract: A method of positioning a catalyst nanoparticle that facilitates nanowire growth for nanowire-based device fabrication employs a structure having a vertical sidewall formed on a substrate. The methods include forming the structure, forming a targeted region in a surface of either the structure or the substrate, and forming a catalyst nanoparticle in the targeted region using one of a variety of techniques. The techniques control the position of the catalyst nanoparticle for subsequent nanowire growth. A resonant sensor system includes a nanowire-based resonant sensor and means for accessing the nanowire. The sensor includes an electrode and a nanowire resonator. The electrode is electrically isolated from the substrate. One or more of the substrate is electrically conductive, the nanowire resonator is electrically conductive, and the sensor further comprises another electrode. The nanowire resonator responds to an environmental change by displaying a change in oscillatory behavior.

Abstract: A contact lithography apparatus, system and method use a deformation to facilitate pattern transfer. The apparatus, system and method include a spacer that provides a spaced apart parallel and proximal orientation of lithographic elements, such as a mask and a substrate, when in mutual contact with the spacer. One or more of the mask, the substrate and the spacer is deformable, such that deformation thereof facilitates the pattern transfer.

Abstract: One or more of a contact lithography module, a pattern tool and a substrate include a strain control region to prevent deformation-related misalignment.

Abstract: An apparatus and related methods for facilitating surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) is described. The apparatus comprises a SERS-active structure near which a plurality of analyte molecules are disposed and an actuation device in actuable communication with the SERS-active structure to deform the SERS-active structure while the analyte molecules are disposed therenear. The deformation of the SERS-active structure varies an intensity of radiation Raman-scattered from the analyte molecules.

Abstract: Programmable impedance devices and methods of fabricating the devices are disclosed. The programmable impedance devices exhibit non-volatile tunable impedance properties. A programmable impedance device includes a first electrode, a second electrode and a programmable material disposed between the two electrodes. The programmable material may be disposed at a junction between the first and second electrodes.

Abstract: Methods of making nanometer-scale semiconductor structures with controlled size are disclosed. Semiconductor structures that include one or more nanowires are also disclosed. The nanowires can include a passivation layer or have a hollow tube structure.

Abstract: A sensing method includes exposing a nano-transducer having a controlled surface to a sample including at least one species. Adsorption of the species on the nano-transducer is transduced to a measurable signal as a function of time. Desorption of the species from the nano-transducer is also transduced to a measurable signal as a function of time. A residence time of the at least one species adsorbed on the nano-transducer is extracted from the measurable signals. The adsorption and desorption each define an individual measurable event.

Abstract: A sensing method includes exposing a nano-transducer having a controlled surface to a sample including at least one species. Adsorption of the species on the nano-transducer is transduced to a measurable signal as a function of time. Desorption of the species from the nano-transducer is also transduced to a measurable signal as a function of time. A residence time of the at least one species adsorbed on the nano-transducer is extracted from the measurable signals. The adsorption and desorption each define an individual measurable event.

Abstract: One or more of a contact lithography module, a pattern tool and a substrate include a strain control region to prevent deformation-related misalignment.

Abstract: A contact lithography apparatus and a method use one or both of spacers and a mesa to facilitate pattern transfer. The apparatus and the method include one or both of a spacer that provides a spaced apart orientation of lithographic elements, such as a patterning tool and a substrate, when in mutual contact with the spacer and a mesa between the patterning tool and the substrate. The mesa supports a contact surface of one or both of the mold and the substrate. One or both of the spacers and the mesa may be non-uniform. One or more of the patterning tool, the substrate and the spacer is deformable, such that deformation thereof facilitates the pattern transfer.

Abstract: A sensing device includes an optical cavity having two substantially opposed reflective surfaces. At least one nanowire is operatively disposed in the optical cavity. A plurality of metal nanoparticles is established on the at least one nanowire.

Abstract: An apparatus and related methods for facilitating surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) is described. The apparatus comprises a SERS-active structure near which a plurality of analyte molecules are disposed and an actuation device in actuable communication with the SERS-active structure to deform the SERS-active structure while the analyte molecules are disposed therenear. The deformation of the SERS-active structure varies an intensity of radiation Raman-scattered from the analyte molecules.