Abstract: A bulk micromachined vibratory gyro in which a proof mass has a bulk substrate thickness for a large mass and high inertial sensitivity. In embodiments, optical displacement transduction is with multi-layer sub-wavelength gratings for high sensitivity and low cross-talk with non-optical drive elements. In embodiments, the vibratory gyro includes a plurality of multi-layer sub-wavelength gratings and a plurality of drive electrodes to measure motion of the proof mass induced by drive forces and/or moments and induced by the Coriolis Effect when the gyro experiences a rotation. In embodiments, phase is varied across the plurality gratings and a multi-layer grating having the best performance is selected from the plurality.

Abstract: A process for making a dielectric material where a precursor polymer selected from poly(phenylene vinylene)polyacetylene, poly(p-phenylene), poly(thienylene vinylene), poly(1,4-naphthylene vinylene), and poly(p-pyridine vinylene) is energized said by exposure by radiation or increase in temperature to a level sufficient to eliminate said leaving groups contained within the precursor polymer, thereby transforming the dielectric material into a conductive polymer. The leaving group in the precursor polymer can be a chloride, a bromide, an iodide, a fluoride, an ester, an xanthate, a nitrile, an amine, a nitro group, a carbonate, a dithiocarbamate, a sulfonium group, an oxonium group, an iodonium group, a pyridinium group, an ammonium group, a borate group, a borane group, a sulphinyl group, or a sulfonyl group.

Abstract: Methods are described for making nanostructures that are mechanically, chemically and thermally stable at desired elevated temperatures, from nanostructure templates having a stability temperature that is less than the desired elevated temperature. The methods comprise depositing by atomic layer deposition (ALD) structural layers that are stable at the desired elevated temperatures, onto a template employing a graded temperature deposition scheme. At least one structural layer is deposited at an initial temperature that is less than or equal to the stability temperature of the template, and subsequent depositions made at incrementally increased deposition temperatures until the desired elevated temperature stability is achieved. Nanostructure templates include three dimensional (3D) polymeric templates having features on the order of 100 nm fabricated by proximity field nanopatterning (PnP) methods.

Abstract: A process for making a dielectric material where a precursor polymer selected from poly(phenylene vinylene) polyacetylene, poly(p-phenylene), poly(thienylene vinylene), poly(1,4-naphthylene vinylene), and poly(p-pyridine vinylene) is energized said by exposure by radiation or increase in temperature to a level sufficient to eliminate said leaving groups contained within the precursor polymer, thereby transforming the dielectric material into a conductive polymer. The leaving group in the precursor polymer can be a chloride, a bromide, an iodide, a fluoride, an ester, an xanthate, a nitrile, an amine, a nitro group, a carbonate, a dithiocarbamate, a sulfonium group, an oxonium group, an iodonium group, a pyridinium group, an ammonium group, a borate group, a borane group, a sulphinyl group, or a sulfonyl group.

Abstract: An optical assay device for the detection of an analyte of interest in a sample comprising a support containing channels, an optically functional layer positioned on the support such that the optically functional layer and the support allow for laminar flow of the sample through layers of the device, an attachment layer positioned on the optically functional layer, and an analyte specific receptive layer positioned on the attachment layer.

Abstract: An optical assay device for the detection of an analyte of interest in a sample comprising a support containing channels, an optically functional layer positioned on the support such that the optically functional layer and the support allow for laminar flow of the sample through layers of the device, an attachment layer positioned on the optically functional layer, and an analyte specific receptive layer positioned on the attachment layer.

Abstract: Method for detecting an analyte of interest, comprising the steps of providing a detection device comprising a light reflective or transmissive substrate supporting one or more layers comprising an adhering attachment layer to which is affixed a receptive material which specifically interacts with the analyte of interest; reacting the device with a sample potentially comprising the analyte under conditions in which the analyte binds to the receptive material; and reacting bound analyte with a reagent which creates a mass change on the surface of the device.

Abstract: Method for the determination of chlamydial or gram negative bacterial antigen comprising contacting a sample potentially containing extracted antigen with an optically active surface comprising an attachment layer, and a layer of non-specific protein.

Abstract: Method for optimizing an optical assay device for an analyte, including the steps of: providing a substrate having a chosen thickness of an optically active layer thereon; providing an attachment layer of a chosen thickness on the optical coating; providing a receptive layer of a chosen thickness for the analyte, wherein at least one of the thicknesses of the optically active layer, attachment layer and receptive layer is varied to provide a plurality of thicknesses of that layer; contacting analyte with the receptive layer under conditions in which an increase in mass on the receptive layer results; and determining the optical thickness of the layer.

Abstract: Device for detecting the presence or amount of an analyte of interest, comprising a reflective solid, optical support and a label capable of generating fluorescent signal upon excitation with a suitable light source wherein said support comprises an attachment layer comprising a chemical selected from the group consisting of dendrimers, star polymers, molecular self-assembling polymers, polymeric siloxanes, and film forming latexes wherein the support provides an enhanced level of exciting photons to the immobilized fluorescent label compound, and wherein the support also increases the capture of fluorescent signal.

Abstract: Method for producing an optical assay device having a substrate and one or more optical layers, an attachment layer and a receptive layer, including the step of spin coating an anti-reflective layer or an attachment layer.

Abstract: Method for detecting the presence or amount of an analyte of interest in a sample by providing a substrate having an optically active surface exhibiting a first color in response to light impinging thereon, and exhibiting a second color comprising a combination of wavelengths of light different from the first color or comprising an intensity of at least one wavelength of light different from the first color, in response to the light when the analyte is present on the surface in an amount selected from any one of 0.1 nM, 0.1 ng/ml, 50 fg, 2.times.10.sup.3 organisms comprising the analyte; and contacting the optically active surface with a sample potentially comprising the analyte of interest under conditions in which the analyte can interact with the optically active surface to cause the optically active surface to exhibit the second color when the analyte is present.

Abstract: Method for extracting an antigen from a micro-organism organism of the genus streptococcus contained in a sample including the steps of contacting the sample with reagents which generate hyponitrous acid, further contacting the sample with a base, or contacting the sample with hypochlorite, and neutralizing the sample.

Abstract: Device for detecting the presence or amount of an analyte of interest, having a substrate possessing an optically active surface which exhibits a first color in response to light impinging thereon, and exhibits a second color comprising a combination of wavelengths of light different from the first color or comprising an intensity of at least one wavelength of light different from the first color, in response to the light when the analyte is present on the surface of any amount selected from 0.1 nM, 0.1 ng/ml, 50 fg, and 2.times.10.sup.3 organisms comprising the analyte.

Abstract: Device for detecting the presence or amount of an analyte of interest, having a substrate possessing an optically active surface which exhibits a first color in response to light impinging thereon, and exhibits a second color comprising a combination of wavelengths of light different from the first color or comprising an intensity of at least one wavelength of light different from the first color, in response to the light when the analyte is present on the surface in any amount selected from 0.1 nM, 0.1 ng/ml, 50 fg, and 2.times.10.sup.3 organisms comprising the analyte.