Abstract: A portable substance identification system and method are configured to identify at least one detection target faster and with greater accuracy than is possible using prior substance identification systems and/or prior substance identification techniques. An embodiment of the portable substance identification system includes a portable substance identification device containing a Raman spectrometer, and a collection stem that includes a dry collector. One or more reservoirs for a liquid medium and/or a reagent can be formed in a cartridge that is configured to couple with a portable substance identification device. The cartridge has a chamber in which the reagent, liquid medium, and a detection target picked up by the dry collector are mixed. A magnet, positioned at a slant angle, can be used to form at least one pellet of aggregated magnetic particles within a pellet forming area of the chamber. The pellet is formed to maximize its surface area.

Abstract: Portable substance identification system and method are configured to identify at least one detection target faster and with greater accuracy than is possible using prior substance identification systems and/or prior substance identification techniques. An embodiment of the portable substance identification system includes a portable substance identification device containing a Raman spectrometer, and a collection stem that includes a collector. One or more reservoirs for a liquid medium and/or at least one reagent can be formed in the collection stem. The cartridge can include a chamber in which the reagents, liquid medium, and at least one detection target picked up by the collector are mixed. A magnet, positioned at a slant angle, can be used to form at least one pellet of aggregated magnetic particles within a pellet forming area of the chamber. The pellet is formed to maximize its surface area.

Abstract: A substance identification system is configured to identify at least one detection target faster and with greater accuracy than is possible using prior substance identification systems and/or prior substance identification techniques. A chamber includes a pellet forming area having a predetermined geometry that is configured to maximize a ratio of a pellet surface area to a pellet volume. A magnet is positioned on one side of the chamber and configured to form a pellet of aggregated magnetic particles in the pellet forming area. A laser source is positioned on the same side of the chamber as the magnet and configured to illuminate the pellet, when the pellet is formed in the pellet forming area.

Abstract: A substance identification system is configured to identify at least one detection target faster and with greater accuracy than is possible using prior substance identification systems and/or prior substance identification techniques. An agitator for a portable substance identification system includes a body. The body has a receptacle formed therein. The receptacle is configured to receive a cartridge. The cartridge has a chamber formed therein and a collector of a collection stem coupled with the chamber.

Abstract: Portable substance identification system and method are configured to identify at least one detection target faster and with greater accuracy than is possible using prior substance identification systems and/or prior substance identification techniques. An embodiment of the portable substance identification system includes a portable substance identification device containing a Raman spectrometer, and a collection stem that includes a collector. One or more reservoirs for a liquid medium and/or at least one reagent can be formed in the collection stem. The cartridge can include a chamber in which the reagents, liquid medium, and at least one detection target picked up by the collector are mixed. A magnet, positioned at a slant angle, can be used to form at least one pellet of aggregated magnetic particles within a pellet forming area of the chamber. The pellet is formed to maximize its surface area.

Abstract: A portable substance identification system and method are configured to identify at least one detection target faster and with greater accuracy than is possible using prior substance identification systems and/or prior substance identification techniques. An embodiment of the portable substance identification system includes a portable substance identification device containing a Raman spectrometer, and a collection stem that includes a dry collector. One or more reservoirs for a liquid medium and /or a reagent can be formed in a cartridge that is configured to couple with a portable substance identification device. The cartridge has a chamber in which the reagent, liquid medium, and a detection target picked up by the dry collector are mixed. A magnet, positioned at a slant angle, can be used to form at least one pellet of aggregated magnetic particles within a pellet forming area of the chamber. The pellet is formed to maximize its surface area.

Abstract: A conformable air purification system and methods generally includes optically coupling an active coating comprising a photocatalyst material with a flexible organic light emitting device (OLED) and configuring the flexible media into a desired shape that defines the fluid passageways of then system. The organic light emitting device can be selected to emit light in the visible range when low band gap photocatalyst materials are employed.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include a wireless sensor, such as an RFID tag, that includes a substrate, an antenna disposed on the substrate, and an environmentally sensitive sensor material disposed over at least a portion of said substrate. Other embodiments an RFID tag and at least one antibody coupled to the RFID tag. The RFID tag includes a substrate, circuitry disposed on the substrate, and an antenna coupled to the substrate. The at least one antibody is capable of affecting the signals emanating from the RFID tag. Further embodiments include a detection system that includes a reader. Yet other embodiments include a method for detecting specific analytes. The method includes providing an RFID tag which emanates a first signal having a first frequency, and enabling the RFID tag to emanate a second signal having a second frequency upon attraction of a specific analyte to the RFID tag.

Abstract: A lateral flow device is disclosed. The lateral flow device includes a substrate having a flow path and a detection zone disposed along the flow path. The detection zone includes an immobilized target-binding moiety directed against a target of a Raman-active complex. A portion of the detection zone has a dimension that is less than another dimension of the lateral flow device upflow from the detection zone or a first region of the detection zone has a chemical difference from a second region of the detection zone. Also disclosed are methods of conducting a lateral flow assay and methods of making a lateral flow device.

Abstract: A lateral flow device is disclosed. The lateral flow device includes a substrate having a flow path and a detection zone disposed along the flow path. The detection zone includes an immobilized target-binding moiety directed against a target of a Raman-active complex. Also disclosed is a method of conducting a lateral flow assay and detection system. The method includes i) defining a flow path having a detection zone; ii) flowing a sample down the flow path; and iii) immobilizing a Raman-active complex if present, at the detection zone. The sample includes a Raman-active complex or a Raman-active tag.

Abstract: A superparamagnetic Raman-active complex that includes a Raman-active tag, a target, and a superparamagnetic particle is disclosed. A method of applying a magnetic field to a mixture is also disclosed. The mixture includes a Raman-active tag unattached to a target and a superparamagnetic Raman-active complex. Also disclosed is a method of separating a Raman-active tag unattached to a target from a Raman-active complex. The Raman-active complex includes a Raman-active tag attached to a target.

Abstract: A super-paramagnetic Raman-active complex that includes a Raman-active tag attached to a target and a super-paramagnetic bead attached to the target is disclosed. A method of separating a Raman or surface enhanced Raman-active tag unattached to a target from a Raman-active complex is also disclosed. The Raman-active complex includes a Raman-active tag attached to a target. The method includes providing a mixture that includes at least one Raman-active tag unattached to a target and at least one super-paramagnetic Raman-active complex; and applying a magnetic field to the mixture.

Abstract: A method of separating a Raman-active tag unattached to a target from a Raman-active complex is disclosed. The Raman-active complex includes a Raman-active tag attached to a target. The method includes providing a mixture including at least one Raman-active tag unattached to a target and at least one Raman-active complex; and passing the mixture through a porous membrane.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relates to compounds labeled with imaging agents that also are capable of binding lectin-like oxidized low-density lipoprotein (LOX-1). The labeled compounds are useful for the diagnosis and monitoring of diseases in which inflammation plays a role, such as various cardiovascular diseases including but not limited to atherosclerosis, vulnerable plaque, and coronary artery disease, as well as rheumatoid arthritis.