Abstract: An imaging system and method for detecting a target in a sample. The imaging system includes a lens-free holographic microscope having a light source in a first plane spaced above an image sensor. The image sensor extends in a second plane. The system also includes a microfluidic chip positioned between the light source and the image sensor. The microfluidic chip extends in a third plane, which is parallel to the second plane. There is at least one chamber in the microfluidic chip configured to receive a sample solution with a target. The system also has a plurality of functionalized beads positioned within the at least one chamber in the microfluidic chip. Any two of the plurality of functionalized beads have an affinity for binding together when exposed to the target in the sample solution.

Abstract: An optical microtoroid resonator including one or more nanoparticles attached to a surface of the resonator and capable of receiving an input signal from afar-field source (via free-space transmission) and outputting light propagating within the optical apparatus. A method for coupling light into and out of an optical resonator using a nanoparticle or nanoparticles to interface with spatially separated far-field optical elements.

Abstract: An optical microtoroid resonator including one or more nanoparticles attached to a surface of the resonator and capable of receiving an input signal from a far-field source (via free-space transmission) and outputting light propagating within the optical apparatus. A method for coupling light into and out of an optical resonator using a nanoparticle or nanoparticles to interface with spatially separated far-field optical elements.

Abstract: An imaging system and method for detecting a target in a sample. The imaging system includes a lens-free holographic microscope having a light source in a first plane spaced above an image sensor. The image sensor extends in a second plane. The system also includes a microfluidic chip positioned between the light source and the image sensor. The microfluidic chip extends in a third plane, which is parallel to the second plane. There is at least one chamber in the microfluidic chip configured to receive a sample solution with a target. The system also has a plurality of functionalized beads positioned within the at least one chamber in the microfluidic chip. Any two of the plurality of functionalized beads have an affinity for binding together when exposed to the target in the sample solution.

Abstract: A method of designing a nano-structured optical device includes: selecting a first nanoscale building block from a finite set of types of building blocks; placing the first nanoscale building block at a position and orientation in a three-dimensional optical device structure; optimizing the position, orientation, and type of the first nanoscale building block to obtain a preselected optical effect based on optical scattering from the first nanoscale building block; selecting a second nanoscale building block from the finite set of types of building blocks; placing the second nanoscale building block at a position and orientation in the three-dimensional optical device structure along with the first nanoscale building block; and optimizing the positions, orientations, and types of the first and second nanoscale building blocks to obtain the preselected optical effect based on optical scattering from the first and second nanoscale building blocks.

Abstract: Techniques are described for just-in-time variable adaptive encoding and delivery of media content. Fragments of media content are encoded at bitrates corresponding to available bandwidth of client devices. If the available bandwidth changes, the bitrate at which fragments are being encoded is adjusted to correspond with the changed bandwidth.

Abstract: Techniques are described for reducing the delay between the live playhead of live streaming content and the client playhead of a client device consuming the live stream. In one technique, an increased playback speed is used by the media player on the client device so that the delay is gradually reduced. In another technique, the media player jumps forward in the stream, skipping content identified as expendable.

Abstract: Techniques are described for reducing the delay between the live playhead of live streaming content and the client playhead of a client device consuming the live stream. In one technique, an increased playback speed is used by the media player on the client device so that the delay is gradually reduced. In another technique, the media player jumps forward in the stream, skipping content identified as expendable.

Abstract: An optical microtoroid resonator including one or more nanoparticles attached to a surface of the resonator and capable of receiving an input signal from a far-field source (via free-space transmission) and outputting light propagating within the optical apparatus. A method for coupling light into and out of an optical resonator using a nanoparticle or nanoparticles to interface with spatially separated far-field optical elements.

Abstract: Techniques are described for live streaming media content using on-demand manifests. Many manifest files providing playback options for different time periods of a live stream of media content can be generated and provided to viewer devices. Requests from viewer devices using the manifest files can be analyzed to determine a fragment to be provided for playback in relation to the time period of the live stream to be provided for playback.

Abstract: Techniques are described for live streaming media content using on-demand manifests. A manifest file providing playback options for a portion of the duration of the playback of a live stream can be provided to viewer devices. The viewer devices can also be provided location identifiers for the live stream. Based on the location identifier used by the viewer devices to request fragments of the live stream of the media content, the requests from the viewer devices using the manifest file can be analyzed to determine a fragment to be provided for playback in relation to the time period of the live stream.

Abstract: Techniques are described for reducing the delay between the live playhead of live streaming content and the client playhead of a client device consuming the live stream. In one technique, an increased playback speed is used by the media player on the client device so that the delay is gradually reduced. In another technique, the media player jumps forward in the stream, skipping content identified as expendable.

Abstract: A method of forming nanolenses for imaging includes providing an optically transparent substrate having a plurality of particles disposed on one side thereof. The optically transparent substrate is located within a chamber containing therein a reservoir holding a liquid solution. The liquid solution is heated to form a vapor within the chamber, wherein the vapor condenses on the substrate to form nanolenses around the plurality of particles. The particles are then imaged using an imaging device. The imaging device may be located in the same device that contains the reservoir or a separate imaging device.

Abstract: Techniques are described for just-in-time variable adaptive encoding and delivery of media content. Fragments of media content are encoded at bitrates corresponding to available bandwidth of client devices. If the available bandwidth changes, the bitrate at which fragments are being encoded is adjusted to correspond with the changed bandwidth.

Abstract: A method for the label-free sizing of small, nanometer-sized objects such as particles includes a hand-held, portable holographic microscope that incorporates vapor condensation of nanolenses and time-resolved lens-free imaging. The portable device is used to generate reconstructed, time-resolved, and automatically-focused phase images of the sample field-of-view. The peak phase value for each object a function of working distance (z2) and condensation time (t) is used to measure object size. The sizing accuracy has been quantified in both monodisperse and heterogeneous particle solutions, achieving an accuracy of +/?11 nm for particles that range from 40 nm up to 500 nm. For larger particles, the technique still works while the accuracy roughly scales with particle size.

Abstract: Techniques are described for reducing the delay between the live playhead of live streaming content and the client playhead of a client device consuming the live stream. In one technique, an increased playback speed is used by the media player on the client device so that the delay is gradually reduced. In another technique, the media player jumps forward in the stream, skipping content identified as expendable.

Abstract: Techniques are described for reducing the delay between the live playhead of live streaming content and the client playhead of a client device consuming the live stream. In one technique, an increased playback speed is used by the media player on the client device so that the delay is gradually reduced. In another technique, the media player jumps forward in the stream, skipping content identified as expendable.

Abstract: A tunable acoustic gradient index of refraction (TAG) lens and system are provided that permit, in one aspect, dynamic selection of the lens output, including dynamic focusing and imaging. The system may include a TAG lens and at least one of a source and a detector of electromagnetic radiation. A controller may be provided in electrical communication with the lens and at least one of the source and detector and may be configured to provide a driving signal to control the index of refraction and to provide a synchronizing signal to time at least one of the source and the detector relative to the driving signal. Thus, the controller is able to specify that the source irradiates the lens (or detector detects the lens output) when a desired refractive index distribution is present within the lens, e.g. when a desired lens output is present.

Abstract: A tunable acoustic gradient index of refraction (TAG) lens and system are provided that permit, in one aspect, dynamic selection of the lens output, including dynamic focusing and imaging. The system may include a TAG lens and at least one of a source and a detector of electromagnetic radiation. A controller may be provided in electrical communication with the lens and at least one of the source and detector and may be configured to provide a driving signal to control the index of refraction and to provide a synchronizing signal to time at least one of the source and the detector relative to the driving signal. Thus, the controller is able to specify that the source irradiates the lens (or detector detects the lens output) when a desired refractive index distribution is present within the lens, e.g. when a desired lens output is present.

Abstract: A method of forming nanolenses for imaging includes providing an optically transparent substrate having a plurality of particles disposed on one side thereof. The optically transparent substrate is located within a chamber containing therein a reservoir holding a liquid solution. The liquid solution is heated to form a vapor within the chamber, wherein the vapor condenses on the substrate to form nanolenses around the plurality of particles. The particles are then imaged using an imaging device. The imaging device may be located in the same device that contains the reservoir or a separate imaging device.