Abstract: Integrated circuits for a single-molecule nucleic-acid assay platform, and methods for making such circuits are disclosed. In one example, a method includes transferring one or more carbon nanotubes to a complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) substrate, and forming a pair of post-processed electrodes on the substrate proximate opposing ends of the one or more carbon nanotubes.

Abstract: Power controller includes an output terminal having an output voltage, at least one clock generator to generate a plurality of clock signals and a plurality of hardware phases. Each hardware phase is coupled to the at least one clock generator and the output terminal and includes a comparator. Each hardware phase is configured to receive a corresponding one of the plurality of clock signals and a reference voltage, combine the corresponding clock signal and the reference voltage to produce a reference input, generate a feedback voltage based on the output voltage, compare the reference input and the feedback voltage using the comparator and provide a comparator output to the output terminal, whereby the comparator output determines a duty cycle of the power controller. An integrated circuit including the power controller is also provided.

Abstract: Integrated circuits for a single-molecule nucleic-acid assay platform, and methods for making such circuits are disclosed. In one example, a method includes transferring one or more carbon nanotubes to a complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) substrate, and forming a pair of post-processed electrodes on the substrate proximate opposing ends of the one or more carbon nanotubes.

Abstract: Single-photon avalanche diode includes a central junction having a central p+ area and a deep-n well in contact with the central p+ area, a p-type guard ring disposed between the central junction and the deep-n well, and a shallow trench isolation separated from the central p+ area. Imaging apparatus includes a plurality of pixels, each pixel comprising a complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor-implemented single photon avalanche device and one or more signal converters electrically coupled thereto and configured to detect changes in output therefrom.

Abstract: A complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS)-integrated junction field effect transistor (JFET) has reduced scale and reduced noise. An exemplary JFET has a substrate layer of one dopant type with a gate layer of that dopant type disposed on the substrate, a depletion channel of a second dopant type disposed on the first gate layer, and a second gate layer of the first dopant type disposed on the depletion channel and proximate a surface of the transistor. The second gate layer can separate the depletion channel from the surface, and the depletion channel separates the first gate layer from the second gate layer.

Abstract: A complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS)-integrated junction field effect transistor (JFET) has reduced scale and reduced noise. An exemplary JFET has a substrate layer of one dopant type with a gate layer of that dopant type disposed on the substrate, a depletion channel of a second dopant type disposed on the first gate layer, and a second gate layer of the first dopant type disposed on the depletion channel and proximate a surface of the transistor. The second gate layer can separate the depletion channel from the surface, and the depletion channel separates the first gate layer from the second gate layer.

Abstract: Electrochemical sensing of biomolecules eliminates the need for bulky optical instruments required in traditional fluorescence-based sensing assays. Integration of the sensor interface electrodes and active electrochemical detection circuitry on CMOS substrates miniaturizes the sensing platform, enhancing portability for point-of-care applications, while enabling high-throughput, highly-parallel analysis. One embodiment includes a four-by-four active sensor array for multiplexed electrochemical biomolecular detection in a standard 0.25-?m CMOS process. Integrated potentiostats, including control amplifiers and dual-slope ADCs, stimulate the electrochemical cell and detect the current flowing through on-chip gold electrodes at each sensor site resulting from biomolecular reactions occurring on the chip surface. Post-processing techniques for fabricating biologically-compatible surface-electrode arrays in CMOS that can withstand operation in harsh electrochemical environments are described.

Abstract: Power controller includes an output terminal having an output voltage, at least one clock generator to generate a plurality of clock signals and a plurality of hardware phases. Each hardware phase is coupled to the at least one clock generator and the output terminal and includes a comparator. Each hardware phase is configured to receive a corresponding one of the plurality of clock signals and a reference voltage, combine the corresponding clock signal and the reference voltage to produce a reference input, generate a feedback voltage based on the output voltage, compare the reference input and the feedback voltage using the comparator and provide a comparator output to the output terminal, whereby the comparator output determines a duty cycle of the power controller. An integrated circuit including the power controller is also provided.

Abstract: Heterostructures can include multilevel stacks with an electrical contact on a one-dimensional edge of a two-dimensional active layer. A multilevel stack can be provided having a first two-dimensional layer encapsulated between a second layer and a third layer. A first edge of the first two-dimensional layer can be exposed by etching. A metal can be deposited on the edge of the first two-dimensional layer to form an electrical contact.

Abstract: A system and method for detecting a single-molecule using an integrated circuit which includes at least one membrane having a nanopore located between first and second reservoirs and a low-noise preamplifier having an electrode formed on the surface thereof is provided. The method includes passing a target molecule through the nanopore, and measuring a current through the nanopore to detect the presence of a biomolecular entity, if any.

Abstract: A system and method for detecting a single-molecule using an integrated circuit which includes at least one membrane having a nanopore located between first and second reservoirs and a low-noise preamplifier having an electrode formed on the surface thereof is provided. The method includes passing a target molecule through the nanopore, and measuring a current through the nanopore to detect the presence of a biomolecular entity, if any.

Abstract: DNA-based temperature sensor for measuring temperature through a transition of one or more strands of DNA from a coupled configuration to a decoupled configuration at a temperature threshold, and a fluorescent dye adapted to emit fluorescence when the DNA is in the coupled configuration, includes a receptacle adapted to receive the DNA and the fluorescent dye in a solution, an imaging device adapted to acquire an image of fluorescence emitted from the solution, the image having a plurality of regions, and a processor adapted to determine a plurality of fluorescence levels corresponding to each of the plurality of regions of the image and to generate a temperature map based on the determined fluorescence levels. A method for measuring temperature and a DNA-based temperature sensing solution are also provided.

Abstract: A complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS)-integrated junction field effect transistor (JFET) has reduced scale and reduced noise. An exemplary JFET has a substrate layer of one dopant type with a gate layer of that dopant type disposed on the substrate, a depletion channel of a second dopant type disposed on the first gate layer, and a second gate layer of the first dopant type disposed on the depletion channel and proximate a surface of the transistor. The second gate layer can separate the depletion channel from the surface, and the depletion channel separates the first gate layer from the second gate layer.

Abstract: Systems and methods for high and ultra-high vacuum physical vapor deposition with in-situ magnetic field are disclosed herein. An exemplary method for depositing a film in an evacuated vacuum chamber can include introducing a sample into the vacuum chamber. The sample can be rotated. A magnetic field can be applied that rotates synchronously with the rotating sample. Atoms can be deposited onto the sample while the sample is rotating with the magnetic field to deposit a film while the magnetic field induces magnetic anisotropy in the film.

Abstract: Method for interfacing an integrated circuit with a biological ion channel, the integrated circuit being at least partially disposed within an electrolytic solution and including an amplifier and one or more electrodes on a surface thereof, includes forming one or more microwells proximate the one or more electrodes, applying a lipid membrane over the integrated circuit proximate the microwells, and placing a further electrode in the electrolytic solution proximate the lipid membrane on a side opposite the integrated circuit. A biological ion channel interface is also provided.

Abstract: Integrated circuits for a single-molecule nucleic-acid assay platform, and methods for making such circuits are disclosed. In one example, a method includes transferring one or more carbon nanotubes to a complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) substrate, and forming a pair of post-processed electrodes on the substrate proximate opposing ends of the one or more carbon nanotubes.

Abstract: A multi-chip module (MCM) is disclosed, which in some embodiments can include a packaging substrate, an interposer coupled to the substrate and having a power converter coupled to one or more vias, and a CMOS integrated circuit comprising one or more connecters aligned with and disposed proximate to the one or more vias to electrically couple the interposer to the integrated circuit. Methods of forming a voltage regulator on an interposer of a multi-chip module (MCM) are also provided.

Abstract: Single-photon avalanche diode includes a central junction having a central p+ area and a deep-n well in contact with the central p+ area, a p-type guard ring disposed between the central junction and the deep-n well, and a shallow trench isolation separated from the central p+ area. Imaging apparatus includes a plurality of pixels, each pixel comprising a complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor-implemented single photon avalanche device and one or more signal converters electrically coupled thereto and configured to detect changes in output therefrom.

Abstract: Power controller includes an output terminal having an output voltage, at least one clock generator to generate a plurality of clock signals and a plurality of hardware phases. Each hardware phase is coupled to the at least one clock generator and the output terminal and includes a comparator. Each hardware phase is configured to receive a corresponding one of the plurality of clock signals and a reference voltage, combine the corresponding clock signal and the reference voltage to produce a reference input, generate a feedback voltage based on the output voltage, compare the reference input and the feedback voltage using the comparator and provide a comparator output to the output terminal, whereby the comparator output determines a duty cycle of the power controller. An integrated circuit including the power controller is also provided.

Abstract: A system and method for detecting a single-molecule using an integrated circuit which includes at least one membrane having a nanopore located between first and second reservoirs and a low-noise preamplifier having an electrode formed on the surface thereof is provided. The method includes passing a target molecule through the nanopore, and measuring a current through the nanopore to detect the presence of a biomolecular entity, if any.