Abstract: A method for monitoring the production of a material such as graphene in a liquid dispersion in real time, comprises supplying the liquid dispersion to a fluid gap defined between a first layer and an opposed second layer, wherein the first layer is light-transmissive and wherein the second layer has a diffusely reflective surface facing the first layer. The diffusely reflective surface is illuminated with light from a light source and light reflected from the diffusely reflective surface is detected at an associated photodetector. A light path from the light source to the photodetector comprises the light passing through the transmissive layer towards the diffusely reflective surface through the fluid gap, reflecting off the diffusely reflective surface and passing back through the fluid gap towards and onwards through the transmissive layer. The concentration of the material in the liquid dispersion can be determined from the detected reflected light.

Abstract: A method for fabricating an apparatus comprising at least one microfluidic channel within an anisotropic composite material structure comprising multiple electrically and thermally conductive pathways, the method comprising providing an electrode within a composite material, the electrode positioned in a desired location for a microfluidic channel applying an electric field across at least a portion of the composite material using the electrode whereby to define the pathways and curing the composite material whereby to fix the pathways in position in the composite material.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and kits for applying thermal energy to tissue in a region of interest. Certain embodiments include registration of fiducial markers with an image guidance system and temperature monitoring via magnetic resonance imaging thermography.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for pumping fluid to cool a heat source using a thermoelectric cooler to heat a fluid and cause it to flow from a first chamber to through a channel, to a second chamber and vice-versa to make thermal contact with the heat source. During a phase of operation, a control circuit switches off the thermoelectric cooler and measured the electric power generated by the thermoelectric cooler. Depending on the measured value of the power generated by the thermoelectric cooler the flow rate of the fluid is varied to ensure optimal cooling.

Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus for fluidic exfoliation of a layered material comprising: a housing of circular cross-section defined by a housing wall; a hollow rotor of circular cross-section having a first end and a second end and a wall positioned therebetween arranged concentrically within the housing, wherein the wall of the hollow rotor defines an inner chamber and the space in between the wall of the hollow rotor and the housing wall defines an outer chamber, and wherein a fluid flow path is provided between the inner chamber and the outer chamber; a fluid inlet in fluid communication with the inner chamber or the outer chamber; and a fluid outlet in fluid communication with the other of the inner chamber or the outer chamber; wherein the outer chamber has a width such that on passage of a fluid comprising the layered material from the inlet to the outlet through the outer chamber, a shear rate sufficient to exfoliate the layered material may be applied to the fluid comprising the layered material

Abstract: A method for fabricating an apparatus comprising at least one microfluidic channel within an anisotropic composite material structure comprising multiple electrically and thermally conductive pathways, the method comprising providing an electrode within a composite material, the electrode positioned in a desired location for a microfluidic channel applying an electric field across at least a portion of the composite material using the electrode whereby to define the pathways and curing the composite material whereby to fix the pathways in position in the composite material.

Abstract: A device for moving air comprising a piezoelectric element attached to a planar body. The planar body is configured to oscillate at a movable end generating an airflow in response to applying alternating electric current to said piezoelectric element. The device further comprises a partial cavity defined by a base plate, a first wall and a second wall which surrounds the movable end of the planar body. The base plate further comprises an opening located proximate to said movable end of the planar body. In operation the air flow generated by the planar body is forced out of the device through the opening.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and kits for applying thermal energy to tissue in a region of interest. Certain embodiments include registration of fiducial markers with an image guidance system and temperature monitoring via magnetic resonance imaging thermography.

Abstract: An apparatus comprising a top substrate having a first surface and a bottom substrate having a second surface facing the first surface. The apparatus comprises a layer of metal located between facing regions of the first and second surfaces and connecting the facing regions to form sidewalls of channels located between the top and bottom substrates, the layer of metal having a different composition than the top and bottom surfaces.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a reservoir, a structure, and one or more metal tubes. The reservoir is configured to hold a volume of liquid therein and, has a wall area with a metal cross section. The structure has a distribution of injectors. Each injector is configured to inject gas bubbles into said volume of liquid in a bottom portion of the reservoir. The one or more metal tubes traverse a part of the reservoir. Each metal tube is capable of carrying a gas flow.

Abstract: A device for moving air comprising a piezoelectric element attached to a planar body. The planar body is configured to oscillate at a movable end generating an airflow in response to applying alternating electric current to said piezoelectric element. The device further comprises a partial cavity defined by a base plate, a first wall and a second wall which surrounds the movable end of the planar body. The base plate further comprises an opening located proximate to said movable end of the planar body. In operation the air flow generated by the planar body is forced out of the device through the opening.

Abstract: A cooling device comprises a heat sink having fins and a piezofan having a piezoelectric element attached to a planar body. The planar body is capable of oscillating at a movable end in response to applying alternating electric current to the piezoelectric element, thereby generating an air flow toward an output of the cooling device. A plurality of fins is located between the movable end of the planar body and the output end of the cooling device. Each fin has a planar form with a main surface being substantially aligned with the air flow. A cooling assembly comprising such cooling device is also disclosed.

Abstract: Provided are novel nanostructures comprising hollow nanospheres and nanotubes for use as chemical sensors and molecular specific photothermal coupling agents. The nanostructures can be used in laser-induced phototherapy for treatment of cancer and other disorders. The nanostructures can also be used as a sensor that detects molecules. The nanostructures are of particular use in the fields of clinical diagnosis, clinical therapy, clinical treatment, and clinical evaluation of various diseases and disorders, manufacture of compositions for use in the treatment of various diseases and disorders, for use in molecular biology, structural biology, cell biology, molecular switches, molecular circuits, and molecular computational devices, and the manufacture thereof. The hollow gold nanospheres have a unique combination of spherical shape, small size, and strong, tunable, and narrow surface plasmon resonance absorption covering the entire visible to near IR region.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for chemical shift magnetic resonance imaging in the presence of multiple chemical species. A method includes obtaining a plurality of MRI data signals using a Dixon technique in combination with partially parallel imaging techniques and/or inversion recovery techniques, and processing the plurality of MRI data signals using a Dixon reconstruction technique to create a chemical specific shift image. An apparatus includes a MRI scanner for obtaining images, a controller configured to provide input to the scanner to acquire images using a Dixon technique in combination with partially parallel imaging techniques and/or inversion recovery techniques to produce a plurality of MRI data signals, and processing the plurality of MRI data signals using a Dixon reconstruction technique to create a chemical specific shift image, and an output device to display the resulting image.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for chemical shift magnetic resonance imaging in the presence of multiple chemical species. A method includes obtaining a plurality of MRI data signals using a Dixon technique in combination with partially parallel imaging techniques and/or inversion recovery techniques, and processing the plurality of MRI data signals using a Dixon reconstruction technique to create a chemical specific shift image. An apparatus includes a MRI scanner for obtaining images, a controller configured to provide input to the scanner to acquire images using a Dixon technique in combination with partially parallel imaging techniques and/or inversion recovery techniques to produce a plurality of MRI data signals, and processing the plurality of MRI data signals using a Dixon reconstruction technique to create a chemical specific shift image, and an output device to display the resulting image.