Abstract: Inventive systems and methods for the generation of energy using thermophotovoltaic cells are described. Also described are systems and methods for selectively emitting electromagnetic radiation from an emitter for use in thermophotovoltaic energy generation systems. In at least some of the inventive energy generation systems and methods, a voltage applied to the thermophotovoltaic cell (e.g., to enhance the power produced by the cell) can be adjusted to enhance system performance. Certain embodiments of the systems and methods described herein can be used to generate energy relatively efficiently.

Abstract: A light-emitting device comprising a population of quantum dots (QDs) embedded in a host matrix and a primary light source which causes the QDs to emit secondary light and a method of making such a device. The size distribution of the QDs is chosen to allow light of a particular color to be emitted therefrom. The light emitted from the device may be of either a pure (monochromatic) color, or a mixed (polychromatic) color, and may consist solely of light emitted from the QDs themselves, or of a mixture of light emitted from the QDs and light emitted from the primary source. The QDs desirably are composed of an undoped semiconductor such as CdSe, and may optionally be overcoated to increase photoluminescence.

Abstract: A nanocrystal capable of light emission includes a nanoparticle having photoluminescence having quantum yields of greater than 30%.

Abstract: A nanocrystal capable of light emission includes a nanoparticle having photoluminescence having quantum yields of greater than 30%.

Abstract: Trapping, recycling, and other techniques involving catalysts are provided by this invention. The present invention provides for the retention of catalysts and other immobilized entities within a reaction region. In one aspect, the invention promotes such retention by incorporating support material regions including relatively little (or, in some cases, substantially no) catalyst (and thus, a relatively large number of catalyst adsorption sites) which can trap catalyst as it is transported through the downstream support material. In some cases, such arrangements can be achieved by using multiple beds arranged in series. In other instances, the amount of catalyst can be varied within a single bed to achieve the desired effect. The embodiments described herein can be used in systems in which the catalyst is covalently or non-covalently associated with the support surface.

Abstract: Systems and methods related to handling solids in microfluidic systems are generally described. Many of the systems and methods described herein address the need to inhibit the formation of blockages in microfluidic channels.

Abstract: The present invention provides various methods for the synthesis of chemical species in a microreactor environment. In some cases, reaction products of the present invention may be valuable as intermediates and/or products in pharmaceutical and polymer research. For example, the method may involve the synthesis of amino alcohols within a microchannel. Embodiment described herein may allow for reactions with significantly shorter reaction times and increased efficiency.

Abstract: A novel encoding system, compositions for use therein and methods for determining the source, location and/or identity of a particular item or component of interest is provided. In particular, the present invention utilizes a collection of one or more sizes of populations of semiconductor nanocrystals having characteristic spectral emissions, to “track” the source or location of an item of interest or to identify a particular item of interest. The semiconductor nanocrystals used in the inventive compositions can be selected to emit a desired wavelength to produce a characteristic spectral emission in narrow spectral widths, and with a symmetric, nearly Gaussian line shape, by changing the composition and size of the semiconductor nanocrystal. Additionally, the intensity of the emission at a particular characteristic wavelength can also be varied, thus enabling the use of binary or higher order encoding schemes.

Abstract: The invention relates to devices and methods for the separation of species, including biological species and involves the use of free flow isolectric focusing (FF-IEF) devices capable of establishing a pH gradient in a gradient orientation that is perpendicular to the direction of fluid flow. In one embodiment a channel (224) constructed and arranged to receive a fluid flow, comprises non-parallel sidewalls (230, 240) and at least two electrodes (260,262). In a further embodiment the device comprises a first region comprising a first channel and a second region comprising at least two channels fluidly connected to the first channel.

Abstract: Systems and methods for crystallization in microfluidic systems are generally described. Many applications require the collection of time-resolved data to determine advantageous conditions for crystallization. The present invention provides tools and related techniques which address this need, as well as a platform for the growth of crystals within microfluidic channels. The systems and methods described herein provide, in one aspect, tools that allow for controlled, stable crystallization of organic materials in microfluidic channels. The invention can interface not only with microfluidic/microscale equipment, but with macroscale equipment to allow for the easy injection of fluids (e.g., fluids containing crystal precursor), extraction of crystals, determination of one or more crystal properties (e.g., crystal size, size distribution among multiple crystals, morphology, etc.), etc.

Abstract: The use of supercritical fluids in the production of particles in microfluidic systems is generally described. Small particles with narrow particle size distributions are useful in a wide range of applications. Submicron and micron-sized organic particles may exhibit enhanced properties such as, for example, increased dissolution rates, enhanced pharmaceutical efficacy, and ease of suspension in a carrier medium. Small organic particles may be particularly useful in drug delivery, exhibiting enhanced performance as inhalation aerosols, injectable suspensions, controlled release dosage drugs, transdermally delivered drugs, and the like. Supercritical fluids exhibit unique transport properties such as the ability to simultaneously diffuse through solids (e.g., like a gas) and dissolve materials (e.g., like a liquid).

Abstract: A light-emitting device comprising a population of quantum dots (QDs) embedded in a host matrix and a primary light source which causes the QDs to emit secondary light and a method of making such a device. The size distribution of the QDs is chosen to allow light of a particular color to be emitted therefrom. The light emitted from the device may be of either a pure (monochromatic) color, or a mixed (polychromatic) color, and may consist solely of light emitted from the QDs themselves, or of a mixture of light emitted from the QDs and light emitted from the primary source. The QDs desirably are composed of an undoped semiconductor such as CdSe, and may optionally be overcoated to increase photoluminescence.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to devices and methods for affecting the flow rate of fluid using pressure. The invention generally provides for controlled application of pressure to flowing fluids to control pressure and flow rates of those fluids, independent of location of the fluids relative to various devices. For example, in a series of devices, each connected to another via a conduit, pressure control units can be provided between devices to raise or lower pressure and/or flow rate of fluid flowing from one device to the next. In this way, a series of interconnected devices can be arranged such that inlet fluid pressure or flow rate of any individual device can be set independently of every other device.

Abstract: A light-emitting device comprising a population of quantum dots (QDs) embedded in a host matrix and a primary light source which causes the QDs to emit secondary light and a method of making such a device. The size distribution of the QDs is chosen to allow light of a particular color to be emitted therefrom. The light emitted from the device may be of either a pure (monochromatic) color, or a mixed (polychromatic) color, and may consist solely of light emitted from the QDs themselves, or of a mixture of light emitted from the QDs and light emitted from the primary source. The QDs desirably are composed of an undoped semiconductor such as CdSe, and may optionally be overcoated to increase photoluminescence.

Abstract: A light-emitting device comprising a population of quantum dots (QDs) embedded in a host matrix and a primary light source which causes the QDs to emit secondary light and a method of making such a device. The size distribution of the QDs is chosen to allow light of a particular color to be emitted therefrom. The light emitted from the device may be of either a pure (monochromatic) color, or a mixed (polychromatic) color, and may consist solely of light emitted from the QDs themselves, or of a mixture of light emitted from the QDs and light emitted from the primary source. The QDs desirably are composed of an undoped semiconductor such as CdSe, and may optionally be overcoated to increase photoluminescence.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to the small-scale separation of a mixture of two or more components with different boiling points into enriched fractions. In some embodiments, a first and second fluid (e.g., a liquid and a gas, a liquid and a liquid, etc.) are passed through a channel. The first fluid may comprise at least two components, each with a unique boiling point. Upon contacting the first and second fluids within the channel, at least a portion of the most volatile of the components in the first fluid (i.e., the component with the lowest boiling point) may be transferred from the first fluid to the second fluid. In some instances, the transfer of the volatile component(s) from the first fluid to the second fluid may be expedited by heating, in some cases above the boiling point(s) of the component(s) to be transferred from the first fluid to the second fluid. Contact between the first and second fluids may be maintained, for example, via segmented flow, bubbling flow, etc.

Abstract: A light-emitting device comprising a population of quantum dots (QDs) embedded in a host matrix and a primary light source which causes the QDs to emit secondary light and a method of making such a device. The size distribution of the QDs is chosen to allow light of a particular color to be emitted therefrom. The light emitted from the device may be of either a pure (monochromatic) color, or a mixed (polychromatic) color, and may consist solely of light emitted from the QDs themselves, or of a mixture of light emitted from the QDs and light emitted from the primary source. The QDs desirably are composed of an undoped semiconductor such as CdSe, and may optionally be overcoated to increase photoluminescence.

Abstract: A nanocrystal capable of light emission includes a nanoparticle having photoluminescence having quantum yields of greater than 30%.

Abstract: One aspect of the invention relates to fluid-phase separators and devices containing them. Another aspect of the invention relates to the use of said fluid-phase separators and devices containing them for separating individual phases from gas-liquid and liquid-liquid two-phase mixtures for a range of flow regimes. The present invention also relates to methods of making said fluid-phase separators and devices containing them.

Abstract: A system for measuring a mechanical property of a cell is provided. The system includes a body having a channel therethrough with a first end and a second end, the channel including at least one cell deforming feature configured to deform a cell passing through the channel. A first sensor system is positioned on the first end side of the cell deforming feature and a second sensor system is positioned on the second end side of the cell deforming feature, and the first and second sensor systems are configured to detect information about a cell as the cell travels across the cell deforming feature. A controller communicating with the first and second sensor systems is adapted to receive data from the first and second sensor systems and calculate a mechanical property of the cell.