Abstract: The presently described subject matter is directed to water-soluble conjugated polyene compounds that exhibit aggregation induced emission, as well as to water dispersible, fluorescent, polymeric microparticles and/or nanoparticles comprising the water-soluble conjugated polyene compounds. Also provided are methods of making and using the compounds and particles. The described conjugated polyene compounds are useful as bioprobes for the detection biomacromolecules, as well as in the manufacture of sensors.

Abstract: The presently described subject matter is directed to water-soluble conjugated polyene compounds that exhibit aggregation induced emission, as well as to water dispersible, fluorescent, polymeric microparticles and/or nanoparticles comprising the water-soluble conjugated polyene compounds. Also provided are methods of making and using the compounds and particles. The described conjugated polyene compounds are useful as bioprobes for the detection biomacromolecules, as well as in the manufacture of sensors.

Abstract: The present invention provides a hybrid optical and interferometric atomic force microscope system (40) for monitoring a cantilever probe (46). A light source (42) provides a light beam which is focussed on the back of the cantilever probe (46). The light reflected off the probe is split into two beams of different path lengths and are recombined to form an interference beam (58). This interference beam (58) is passed through a grating (102) having substantially the same period and orientation as the interference beam pattern. The light transmitted through the grating (102) illuminates a photodetector (122) to give a signal according to the intensity of the light falling on the photodetector. The photodetector output signal is sent to a positioning system (126), which in turn gives a signal to the piezoelectric system (54) so that the probe (46) follows the sample (50) surface. This signal is integrated as a function of position across the scanned area to represent a characteristic of the sample surface.

Abstract: The present invention relates to devices for detecting the presence or absence of a target molecule or substance, compounds which may be employed in such devices and methods of using such compounds. In some embodiments, the compounds are conjugated polyenes.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for non-imaging optical systems to couple incoherent light from a source such as high-brightness lamps into optical fibers, and to deliver the light into the human body for photothermal and/or photochemical surgery. The incoherent light radiated from the light source is concentrated with a non-imaging light concentrator and the light is delivered to a body tissue for photothermal and/or photochemical medical treatment. The concentrator captures nearly the light source's full radiative output, and concentrates the collected radiation back to power densities close to the power densities of the hot plasma regions at the core of the light source. The concentrator couples the light into a photonic conduit such as optical fibers, and the photonic conduit delivers the concentrated intense light to surgical applications including contact (interstitial) procedures and non-contact treatments (within the internal body cavities as well as the surfaces of organs), and inside the body.

Abstract: A regenerative adsorption process and a multi-reactor regenerative adsorption chiller assembly including a condenser adapted to receive a coolant from a source; an evaporator connected to the condenser to provide a refrigerant circuit; a plurality of reactors, each being able to operate in adsorption and desorption modes and having a coolant inlet to directly or indirectly receive coolant when operating in adsorption mode before, after or simultaneous with the condenser, and a waste heat inlet for directly or indirectly receiving waste heat from a waste heat source when operating in desorption mode; and control means for controlling said plurality of reactors such that each reactor alternately operates in adsorption and desorption modes for substantially identical time intervals, and such that each reactor has an equal chance of being the first reactor to receive the coolant when operating in adsorption mode, and the waste heat from the waste heat source when operating in desorption mode.

Abstract: A novel modular and miniature chiller is proposed that symbiotically combines absorption and thermoelectric cooling devices. The seemingly low efficiency of each cycle individually is overcome by an amalgamation with the other. This electro-adsorption chiller incorporates solely existing technologies. It can attain large cooling densities at high efficiency, yet is free of moving parts and comprises harmless materials. The governing physical processes are primarily surface rather than bulk effects, or involve electron rather than fluid flow. This insensitivity to scale creates promising applications in areas ranging from cooling personal computers and other micro-electronic appliances, to automotive and room air-conditioning.

Abstract: A regenerative adsorption process and a multi-reactor regenerative adsorption chiller assembly including a condenser adapted to receive a coolant from a source; an evaporator connected to the condenser to provide a refrigerant circuit; a plurality of reactors, each being able to operate in adsorption and desorption modes and having a coolant inlet to directly or indirectly receive coolant when operating in adsorption mode before, after or simultaneous with the condenser, and a waste heat inlet for directly or indirectly receiving waste heat from a waste heat source when operating in desorption mode; and control means for controlling said plurality of reactors such that each reactor alternately operates in adsorption and desorption modes for substantially identical time intervals, and such that each reactor has an equal chance of being the first reactor to receive the coolant when operating in adsorption mode, and the waste heat from the waste heat source when operating in desorption mode.