Abstract: Optical spectrometers may be used to determine the spectral components of electromagnetic waves. Spectrometers may be large, bulky devices and may require waves to enter at a nearly direct angle of incidence in order to record a measurement. What is disclosed is an ultra-compact spectrometer with nanophotonic components as light dispersion technology. Nanophotonic components may contain metasurfaces and Bragg filters. Each metasurface may contain light scattering nanostructures that may be randomized to create a large input angle, and the Bragg filter may result in the light dispersion independent of the input angle. The spectrometer may be capable of handling about 200 nm bandwidth. The ultra-compact spectrometer may be able to read image data in the visible (400-600 nm) and to read spectral data in the near-infrared (700-900 nm) wavelength range. The surface area of the spectrometer may be about 1 mm2, allowing it to fit on mobile devices.

Abstract: A metasurface device includes a dielectric layer, an aluminum nanodisk and an aluminum layer. The dielectric layer includes top and bottom surfaces that are opposite each other. The dielectric layer also includes at least one ring-like cavity that extends between the top and bottom surfaces of the dielectric layer. The aluminum nanodisk is formed in the at least one ring-like cavity in the dielectric layer. The aluminum layer is formed on the dielectric layer and includes at least one ring-like cavity that extends between top and bottom surfaces of the aluminum layer. Each ring-like cavity in the aluminum layer corresponds to a ring-like cavity in the dielectric layer. Two or more analytes may emit fluorescence in response to light of a predetermined wavelength being incident on the metasurface device and in which the two or more analytes are present at the dielectric layer.

Abstract: A smart contact lens includes a contact lens, a nanostructures layer, a first sensor, a connector, and a smart module. The nanostructures layer may be anti-bacterial. The smart contact lens may be worn on an eye or may be implanted within an eye. The nanostructures layer is fabricated by depositing a colloidal dispersion onto an electrostatically-coated substrate. The colloidal dispersion is then removed and nanoholes are etched. The electrostatic coating is removed and a biocompatible material is spin-coated onto the substrate. Upon removal, a quasi-randomly distributed nanostructures layer forms.

Abstract: An object recognition apparatus includes a first spectrometer configured to obtain a first type of spectrum data from light scattered, emitted, or reflected from an object; a second spectrometer configured to obtain a second type of spectrum data from the light scattered, emitted, or reflected from the object, the second type of spectrum data being different from the first type of spectrum data; an image sensor configured to obtain image data of the object; and a processor configured to identify the object using data obtained from at least two from among the first spectrometer, the second spectrometer, and the image sensor and using at least two pattern recognition algorithms.

Abstract: There is provided a dual camera apparatus, an electronic apparatus including the same, and a method of operating the same are disclosed. The dual camera apparatus includes a first camera that acquires an entire image of a subject; and a second camera different than the first camera. The second camera includes a first light source, an optical element concentrates light emitted from the first light source onto a portion of a region of the subject and an image sensor that records spectrum information with respect to the portion of the region of the subject.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for quantitatively sensing and analyzing a concentration of biomolecules using Raman peak shift are disclosed. The quantitative molecular sensing apparatus includes an illumination optical system including a light source configured to irradiate excitation light onto an object, a detection optical system including an optical detector configured to detect light scattered from the object, and a signal processor configured to analyze properties of the object based on signal output by the detection optical system and to calculate a concentration of target molecules in the object based on a Raman peak shift value over a predetermined time period.

Abstract: A position sensing apparatus includes a position sensor, a voltage/current detector, and an alarm. The position sensor is coupled to the body part and includes a capsule, and first and second electrodes. The capsule has an interior volume configured to contain a liquid with a first density, and a contact member having a second density different from the first density. The first and second electrodes are fixed to the capsule to define a sensor meridian that is coupled to a tilt angle of the body part, with each electrode having a distal portion in the interior volume of the capsule, and the distal portions being configured to form a circuit with the liquid or the contact member. The voltage/current detector is configured to detect a change in a state of the circuit, and the alarm is configured to respond to the voltage/current detector.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for the generation of electrical power from acousto-mechanical vibrations originating from the vocal folds of the human body. The apparatus and methods can include one or more beams comprising a piezoelectric material, such as lead zirconate titanate (PZT), coupled to a power circuitry. Each of the one or more beams can also have a predetermined resonance frequency that is within the dominant frequency range of the human voice. The power circuitry can be adapted to receive the electrical charge received by the one or more piezoelectric beams and to convert the electrical charge into an electric current. The power circuitry can also be coupled to a battery for the storage of the converted energy, which in turn can provide power to implantable medical electronic devices (e.g., neurostimulators or cochlear implants) and/or wearable electronics.

Abstract: A position sensing system comprises a position sensor having an accelerometer and a gyroscope, an alarm, and a controller configured to receive data from the position sensor and activate the alarm according to alarm management instructions stored in a memory. In some embodiments, the alarm instructions include a snooze option to allow the user/patient to temporarily deactivate the alarm. The controller is communicably linked to a remote display device configured to display the orientation of the user's body part.

Abstract: Systems and methods of sensing intraocular pressure are described. An example miniaturized intraocular pressure (IOP) monitoring system is provided using a nanophotonics-based implantable IOP sensor with remote optical readout that can be adapted for both patient and research use. A handheld detector optically excites the pressure-sensitive nanophotonic structure of the IOP-sensing implant placed in the anterior chamber and detects the reflected light, whose optical signature changes as a function of IOP. Optical detection eliminates the need for large, complex LC structures and simplifies sensor design. The use of nanophotonic components improves the sensor's resolution and sensitivity, increases optical readout distance, and reduces its size by a factor of 10-30 over previous implants. Its small size and convenient optical readout allows frequent and accurate self-tracking of IOP by patients in home settings.

Abstract: By adopting nature's biopolymer-phase-separation process, a highly scalable biomimetic bottom-up nanofabrication method is developed to create low-aspect-ratio bioinspired nanostructures (BINS) on freestanding silicon-nitride (Si3N4) membranes. Unlike previous high-aspect-ratio nonstructures that focused on replicating optical antireflection and bactericidal properties, the IOP sensor with BINS (or BINS-IOP sensor) of the present disclosure has a pseudo-periodic arrangement and dimensions that control short-range scattering to enhance omnidirectional optical transmission and angle independence while also exhibiting anti-biofouling properties of high-aspect-ratio nanostructures, which typically rely on physical cell lysis. In some embodiments, the BINS-IOP sensor can have a low-aspect-ratio, which displays strong hydrophilicity to form an aqueous anti-adhesion barrier for proteins and cellular fouling without cell lysis.

Abstract: A substrate for sensing, a method of manufacturing the substrate, and an analyzing apparatus including the substrate are provided. The substrate for sensing includes: a support layer; a plurality of metal nanoparticle clusters arranged on the support layer; and a plurality of perforations arranged among the plurality of metal nanoparticle clusters. The plurality of metal nanoparticle clusters each comprise a plurality of metal nanoparticles stacked in a three-dimensional structure. Each of the plurality of perforations transmits incident light therethrough.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for quantitatively sensing and analyzing a concentration of biomolecules using Raman peak shift are disclosed. The quantitative molecular sensing apparatus includes an illumination optical system including a light source configured to irradiate excitation light onto an object, a detection optical system including an optical detector configured to detect light scattered from the object, and a signal processor configured to analyze properties of the object based on signal output by the detection optical system and to calculate a concentration of target molecules in the object based on a Raman peak shift value over a predetermined time period.

Abstract: Systems, methods and devices are provided for electro-osmotic propulsion in a microfluidic environment. These systems, methods and devices can include a body having a channel comprising a pair of open ends, and a plurality of electrodes coupled to the body, wherein the electrodes are configured to generate a voltage and cause an electro-osmotic flow of a fluid through the channel. In many of the embodiments, an on-board power supply coupled to the body is provided for generating voltage across the electrodes. In some embodiments, the channel comprises a cylindrical shape having a circular cross-sectional area.

Abstract: IOP sensor and system for measuring intraocular pressure are disclosed herein. Examples embodiments of the IOP sensor can include: a chamber having a first wall and a second wall opposing the first wall; a first array of photonic components disposed inside of the chamber; a raised portion located within the chamber on a surface of the second wall; at least one side wall separating the first and second walls; and a layer of anti-reflective coating within the chamber.

Abstract: A display device having touch sensors and a method of driving the same are disclosed. The display device includes a display panel including a pixel array including pixels and a touch sensor array including touch sensors formed in the pixel array, the pixel array being divided into blocks, a gate driver to sequentially drive a plurality of gate lines in the pixel array in a block unit, a data driver to drive a plurality of data lines in the pixel array when the gate lines are driven, a touch controller to sequentially drive the touch sensor arrays in the block unit, and a timing controller to divide one frame into at least one display mode at which the pixel array is driven and at least one touch sensing mode at which the touch sensor array is driven and to control the gate drive, the data driver and the touch controller so that the display mode and the touch sensing mode alternate.

Abstract: IOP sensors and IOP measurement algorithms are disclosed herein. Examples of the IOP measurement algorithm can include a signal demodulation and artificial neural network algorithm to produce reliable results using minimal computational resources. The overall accuracy and speed of the IOP sensors and measurement algorithms enable their implementation in home-based IOP measurement systems.

Abstract: A display device having touch sensors and a method of driving the same are disclosed. The display device includes a display panel including a pixel array including pixels and a touch sensor array including touch sensors formed in the pixel array, the pixel array being divided into blocks, a gate driver to sequentially drive a plurality of gate lines in the pixel array in a block unit, a data driver to drive a plurality of data lines in the pixel array when the gate lines are driven, a touch controller to sequentially drive the touch sensor arrays in the block unit, and a timing controller to divide one frame into at least one display mode at which the pixel array is driven and at least one touch sensing mode at which the touch sensor array is driven and to control the gate drive, the data driver and the touch controller so that the display mode and the touch sensing mode alternate.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for the generation of electrical power from acousto-mechanical vibrations originating from the vocal folds of the human body. The apparatus and methods can include one or more beams comprising a piezoelectric material, such as lead zirconate titanate (PZT), coupled to a power circuitry. Each of the one or more beams can also have a predetermined resonance frequency that is within the dominant frequency range of the human voice. The power circuitry can be adapted to receive the electrical charge received by the one or more piezoelectric beams and to convert the electrical charge into an electric current. The power circuitry can also be coupled to a battery for the storage of the converted energy, which in turn can provide power to implantable medical electronic devices (e.g., neurostimulators or cochlear implants) and/or wearable electronics.

Abstract: A medical sensor is described. In an example, the medical sensor includes a nanoscale tapered waveguide attached to a substrate. The nanoscale tapered waveguide includes a nanoscale channel that receives fluid and an excitation light and that outputs a response light. The excitation light propagates through the fluid. A receiving channel of the nanoscale channel is configured as a waveguide that receives and guides the excitation to a linearly tapered channel of the nanoscale channel. The linearly tapered channel has three dimensional linear tapering that focuses the excitation light guided from the receiving channel into an optical response channel of the nanoscale channel. In turn, the optical response channel is configured as a waveguide that outputs a response light in response to the excitation light focused from the linearly tapered channel. The response light corresponds to a response of an analyte of the fluid present in the optical response channel.