Abstract: A sensor for liquid biopsy, its method of making, and its method of non-invasive use. The sensor includes a substrate with a surface functionalized with biotinylated antibodies. The biotinylated antibodies are arranged to engage with surface proteins on exosomes associated with malignant cancer cells such as glioma cells.

Abstract: A method of generating flavorings and infusing flavors into wines and spirits. The flavoring is generated by selection a wood or plant suitable for micronizing, selecting a micronization size, and micronizing the wood or plants so that most of the wood or plants are broken at weak structural locations such as cell walls or other boundary areas. The micronized wood or plant product is added to wine or distillates for a length of time based on the dosing on a table of expected results. In another embodiment, the length of time is based on testing the wine or distillates.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods of detecting the presence or absence of exosomes, the method comprising detecting an exosomal biomarker in a sample obtained from a subject. Also disclosed herein is a system and a biosensor, each for detecting an exosomal biomarker as disclosed herein.

Abstract: A method of detecting one or more exosomal protein in a sample includes the steps of: a) introducing the sample on at least a part of a first sensor having a nanostructure thereon, subjecting the first sensor to an optical radiation in a certain spectral range to produce a localized surface plasmon resonance and measuring an induced phase response; and b) introducing the sample on a second sensor having a nanostructure thereon, and obtaining an image via atomic force microscopy analysis with a probe functionalized with an antibody targeting the exosomal protein. A kit for detecting at least one exosomal protein in a sample includes a first sensor having a nanostructure thereon; a second sensor having a nanostructure thereon, and a probe functionalized with an antibody targeting the exosomal protein.

Abstract: A sensor for liquid biopsy, its method of making, and its method of non-invasive use. The sensor includes a substrate with a surface functionalized with biotinylated antibodies. The biotinylated antibodies are arranged to engage with surface proteins on exosomes associated with malignant cancer cells such as glioma cells.

Abstract: An optochemical detector and a method for fabricating an optochemical detector includes a light generation unit arranged to emit a light signal; a probe cell unit arranged to alter at least one physical characteristic of the light signal in response to an interaction with a target substance; and a light detection unit arranged to receive the light signal altered by the probe cell unit; wherein a detection of the target substance is characterized by a change in the at least one physical characteristic altered by the probe cell unit.

Abstract: A method for reducing the concentration of smoke taint compounds in smoke tainted fermented fruit juice (e.g., wine) is described. The method can include removing volatile flavor and/or aroma compounds from the affected fermented fruit juice and then removing smoke taint compounds by contacting the affected fermented fruit juice with a resin that absorbs smoke taint compounds. After removal of the smoke taint compounds, the previously removed volatile flavor and/or aroma compounds are recombined with the remaining fermented fruit juice. Also described is an apparatus for reducing the concentration of smoke taint compounds in smoke tainted fermented fruit juice, as well as the reduced smoke taint fermented fruit juices themselves.

Abstract: A pipe retaining device comprises a base panel; a clamping member coupled to the base panel and including a flexible part; and an adjusting member disposed outside the clamping member. The adjusting member includes a plurality of retaining portions adjacent to the flexible part and is moveable relative to the clamping member such that the flexible part is selectively engaged with one of the retaining portions.

Abstract: A pipe retaining device comprises a base panel; a clamping member coupled to the base panel and including a flexible part; and an adjusting member disposed outside the clamping member. The adjusting member includes a plurality of retaining portions adjacent to the flexible part and is moveable relative to the clamping member such that the flexible part is selectively engaged with one of the retaining portions.

Abstract: A corrosion-free electrolyte for use in plasmonic-enhanced dye-sensitized solar cells includes ions of a plasmon-supporting metal, in particular iodide anions of the plasmon-supporting metal especially, but not exclusively, gold(I) diiodide anions ([AuI2]?) and/or gold(III) tetraiodide anions ([AuI4]?). Methods for preparing the electrolyte are also disclosed, as are methods for reducing the corrosion of plasmonic structures in plasmonic-enhanced dye-sensitized solar cells and for improving the efficiency of dye-sensitized solar cells, in particular plasmonic-enhanced dye-sensitized solar cells, by disposing the electrolyte between the electrodes.

Abstract: An optochemical detector and a method for fabricating an optochemical detector includes a light generation unit arranged to emit a light signal; a probe cell unit arranged to alter at least one physical characteristic of the light signal in response to an interaction with a target substance; and a light detection unit arranged to receive the light signal altered by the probe cell unit; wherein a detection of the target substance is characterized by a change in the at least one physical characteristic altered by the probe cell unit.

Abstract: An optical sensing apparatus and a method for detecting characteristics of a sample.

Abstract: The present invention is concerned with a plasmonic enhanced tandem dye sensitized solar cell system. The system has plasmonic nanostructures integrated to both a photoanode and a photocathode for enhancing respective electron and hole carrier transfer.

Abstract: An optical sensing apparatus and a method for detecting characteristics of a sample.

Abstract: An optical sensing device including a source unit configured to generate a polychromatic light beam containing p-polarized beam and s-polarized beam; an interferometric unit configured to introduce birefringent retardation for generating optical path difference between the p-polarized beam and the s-polarized beam; a SPR sensing unit configured to receive both p-polarized beam and s-polarized beam and induce a SPR effect to the p-polarized beam associated with a target sample; and a detection unit for detecting target sample characteristics by obtaining an interference spectrum of the p-polarized beam and the s-polarized beam from the SPR sensing unit.

Abstract: The present invention is concerned with a plasmonic enhanced tandem dye sensitized solar cell system. The system has plasmonic nanostructures integrated to both a photoanode and a photocathode for enhancing respective electron and hole carrier transfer.

Abstract: An optical sensing device including a source unit configured to generate a polychromatic light beam containing p-polarized beam and s-polarized beam; an interferometric unit configured to introduce birefringent retardation for generating optical path difference between the p-polarized beam and the s-polarized beam; a SPR sensing unit configured to receive both p-polarized beam and s-polarized beam and induce a SPR effect to the p-polarized beam associated with a target sample; and a detection unit for detecting target sample characteristics by obtaining an interference spectrum of the p-polarized beam and the s-polarized beam from the SPR sensing unit.

Abstract: A pleated shade assembly capable of height adjustment without use of pull cords, comprising an upper elongated support; a lower elongated member that is manually adjustable up and down; primary lines extending through shade pleats to suspend the bottom elongated member; primary rotors at the top elongated support to entrain the primary lines; at least one secondary line having operative connection to the primary lines; and apparatus acting on the secondary line or lines for counterbalancing suspension force exerted on the primary lines at different shade height adjusted levels.