Abstract: A scalable system that can secure, mount, and store a plurality of beverages of different sizes, shapes, and capacities on mobile racks for performing processor-assisted, ‘hands-free’ ingredient dispensing and other ancillary dispensing activities. The mobile racks can be individually extracted from the system to perform empty beverage replacement. A beverage plug and tap is inserted into an opening of a beverage and the beverage plug compressed to seal the beverage opening. A spout is attached to the tap and fastened. The beverage is mounted onto a cradle in a dispensing position, the spout is inserted into a spout controller, and the mobile rack stowed back to the system with the mounted beverage ready for ingredient dispensing. A client-server applies the methods of a messaging protocol to manage the distributions of messaging protocol packets between connected clients over a wireless network.

Abstract: A surface sensing system including at least two sensors located on the end of the same optical fiber. The sensors are configured such that they exhibit resonant frequencies or Q-factors that are distinguishable from each other, where the Q-factor is defined as the resonant frequency divided by the resonance spectrum at full-width half maximum (FWHM). Because the sensors have distinguishable resonant frequencies or Q-factors and are located on the end of the same optical fiber, they can be monitored in parallel with little or no optical interference.

Abstract: A biosensor includes at least two sensors having different resonant frequencies. The different resonant frequencies of the sensors can be achieved by fabricating the sensors with different spatial profiles of regions of high and low dielectric constant. Because the sensors have different resonant frequencies, they can be monitored in parallel with little or no optical interference. The sensors can be monitored in parallel by simultaneously applying a swept optical signal to the sensors, where the wavelength range of the swept optical signal includes the resonant frequencies of both sensors. Because the sensors have different resonant frequencies, changes in the resonant frequencies of the two sensors can be monitored in parallel using a single detector.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for sensing with metal optical filters. Metal optical filters exhibit cut-off frquency behavior which may be used to sense the presence of materials, even in very small amounts.

Abstract: A photonic crystal sensor adapted for single nanoparticle detection is disclosed. Very small single particles and single molecules may be detected. The sensors may be adapted to allow differential measurements.

Abstract: III-V based compounds are etched to produce smooth sidewalls for electro-optical applications using BCl3 together with chemistries of CH4 and H2 in RIE and/or ICP systems. HI or IBr or some combination of group VII gaseous species (Br, F, I) may be added in accordance with the invention.