Abstract: Various embodiments disclosed relate to contact lens including nanopores. A contact lens can include a nanoporous film including nanopores that are on an inner surface of the contact lens, and a backing lens on the nanoporous film. Various embodiments further include a biomarker-sensing region of the nanoporous film, a drug storage and delivery region of the nanoporous film, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: Various embodiments disclosed relate to contact lens including nanopores. A contact lens can include a nanoporous film including nanopores that are on an inner surface of the contact lens, and a backing lens on the nanoporous film. Various embodiments further include a biomarker-sensing region of the nanoporous film, a drug storage and delivery region of the nanoporous film, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and system to quantify tension forces of the anchor bolts for, e.g., SLTS support structures. A sensing assembly comprising one or more washers is installed along an anchor bolt. The sensing assembly comprises two spaced-apart surfaces between which a capacitance can be measured if electrical potential is created between the surfaces. The capacitance between the surfaces can be calibrated to bolt tension based on the relative distance between the surfaces. An RFRD circuit is connected to the two surfaces. An RF interrogation signal can supply the electrical potential and allow a reading of the responsive capacitance between surfaces to convert the capacitance reading into a bolt tension. Additionally, the introduction of the battery-free RFRD allows data to be acquired wirelessly from a distance, enabling an entirely new method of inspection. With minimum additional hardware cost, it provides a cost-effective way to replace traditional bolt installation and inspection methods.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods of generating electricity include using an optically and thermally responsive material comprising single-walled Carbon nanotubes and Copper sulfide nanoparticles. This material acts as a thermoelectric generator lacking rectifying effects. In some forms, the generator may generate electricity from a light source alone, a heat source alone, or a source of both light and heat. Some forms exhibit enhanced optical and thermal switching characteristics, light absorption, photocurrent and thermocurrent generation under light illumination or/and thermal radiation, providing a new route to obtain thermoelectricity without any cooling or heat-sink component. Moreover, measurements showed thin films of SWNT CuS NPs had significantly increased light absorption (up to 80%) compared to untreated SWNT thin films.

Abstract: An energy harvesting device capable of harvesting multiple forms of energy. The device includes a base, a piezoelectric cantilever, and a carbon nanotube film. The piezoelectric cantilever includes a piezoelectric layer disposed between a top electrode and a bottom electrode. A proximate end of the piezoelectric cantilever is supported by the base. The base does not support a distal end of the piezoelectric cantilever. The piezoelectric cantilever is capable of converting vibration energy into electrical power. The carbon nanotube film is capable of absorbing electromagnetic radiation and thermal radiation, and thereafter transmitting heat to the piezoelectric layer. The piezoelectric layer is mechanically deformed in response to said heating, thereby generating electrical power.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a micro-electrical mechanical system apparatus includes (i) a comb drive actuator having at least one irregularly shaped finger and (ii) a movable Fabry-Perot filter cavity mirror coupled to the comb drive actuator. According to some embodiments, a relationship between a voltage applied to the comb drive actuator and an amount of displacement associated with the movable mirror is substantially linear.

Abstract: According to some embodiments, a micro-electrical mechanical system apparatus includes an actuator within a plane and at least one movable mirror oriented substantially normal to the plane. The actuator may move the movable mirror with respect to a fixed mirror oriented substantially normal to the plane and substantially parallel to the movable mirror. The space between the fixed and movable mirrors might comprise, for example, a Fabry-Perot filter cavity for a spectrometer.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a micro-electrical mechanical system apparatus includes (i) a comb drive actuator having at least one irregularly shaped finger and (ii) a movable Fabry-Perot filter cavity mirror coupled to the comb drive actuator. According to some embodiments, a relationship between a voltage applied to the comb drive actuator and an amount of displacement associated with the movable mirror is substantially linear.

Abstract: A system and method for managing optical power for controlling thermal alteration of a sample undergoing spectroscopic analysis is provided. The system includes a moveable laser beam generator for irradiating the sample and a beam shaping device for moving and shaping the laser beam to prevent thermal overload or build up in the sample. The moveable laser beam generator includes at least one beam shaping device selected from the group consisting of at least one optical lens, at least one optical diffractor, at least one optical path difference modulator, at least one moveable mirror, at least one Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems (MEMS) integrated circuit (IC), and/or a liquid droplet. The system also includes an at least two degree of freedom (2 DOF) moveable substrate platform and a controller for controlling the laser beam generator and the substrate platform, and for analyzing light reflected from the sample.

Abstract: Methods and microfluidic devices for generating and manipulating sample droplets, wherein the devices comprise, a plurality of fluid channels, at least one of which is a sample channel for carrying a fluidic sample material, that is in fluid communication with the carrier fluid channel via an orifice; and an actuated flow interrupter adapted to force a predetermined amount of the sample fluid from the sample channel through the orifice into the carrier fluid channel.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a plasmonics platform comprising a substrate; a plurality of periodically spaced nanoholes and/or nanoparticles disposed upon the substrate; wherein the average first order of periodicity between the nanoholes and/or the nanoparticles is about 5 to about 1,000 nm; and a microelectromechanical and/or a nanoelectromechanical system in operative communication with the substrate so as to vary the average first order of periodicity between the nanoholes and/or the nanoparticles.

Abstract: A method of Raman detection for a portable, integrated spectrometer instrument includes directing Raman scattered photons by a sample to an avalanche photodiode (APD), the APD configured to generate an output signal responsive to the intensity of the Raman scattered photons incident thereon. The output signal of the APD is amplified and passed through a discriminator so as to reject at least one or more of amplifier noise and dark noise. A number of discrete output pulses within a set operational range of the discriminator is counted so as to determine a number of photons detected by the APD.

Abstract: A method of Raman detection for a portable, integrated spectrometer instrument includes directing Raman scattered photons by a sample to an avalanche photodiode (APD), the APD configured to generate an output signal responsive to the intensity of the Raman scattered photons incident thereon. The output signal of the APD is amplified and passed through a discriminator so as to reject at least one or more of amplifier noise and dark noise. A number of discrete output pulses within a set operational range of the discriminator is counted so as to determine a number of photons detected by the APD.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a micro-electrical mechanical system apparatus includes first and second mirrors that define a cavity. Moreover, a photonic band-gap structure coats a surface of at least one of the first or second mirrors to improve reflectivity. Another embodiment includes a third mirror, wherein the second and third mirrors form a second cavity. The spaces between the mirrors might comprise, for example, a pair of Fabry-Perot filter cavities for a spectrometer.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a micro-electrical mechanical system apparatus includes a bi-stable actuator and at least one movable Fabry-Perot filter cavity mirror coupled to the bi-stable actuator. The bi-stable actuator may be associated with a first latched position and a second latched position and may comprise, for example, a thermal device, an electrostatic device (e.g., a parallel plate or comb drive), or a magnetic device. According to some embodiments, a relationship between a voltage applied to an actuator of a Fabry-Perot filter and an amount of displacement associated with a movable mirror is substantially linear.

Abstract: An integrated spectrometer instrument, including an optical source formed on a chip, the optical source configured to generate an incident optical beam upon a sample to be measured. Collection optics formed on the chip are configured to receive a scattered optical beam from the sample, and filtering optics formed on the chip are configured to remove elastically scattered light from the scattered optical beam at a wavelength corresponding to the optical source. A tunable filter formed on the chip is configured to pass selected wavelengths of the scattered optical beam, and a photo detector device formed on the chip is configured to generate an output signal corresponding to the intensity of photons passed through the tunable filter.

Abstract: A gating voltage control system and method are provided for electrostatically actuating a micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS) device, e.g., a MEMS switch. The device may comprise an electrostatically responsive actuator movable through a gap for actuating the device to a respective actuating condition corresponding to one of a first actuating condition (e.g., a closed switching condition) and a second actuating condition (e.g., an open switching condition). The gating voltage control system may comprise a drive circuit electrically coupled to a gate terminal of the device to apply a gating voltage. The gating voltage control system may further comprise a controller electrically coupled to the drive circuit to control the gating voltage applied to the gating terminal in accordance with a gating voltage control sequence.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a plasmonics platform comprising a substrate; a plurality of periodically spaced nanoholes and/or nanoparticles disposed upon the substrate; wherein the average first order of periodicity between the nanoholes and/or the nanoparticles is about 5 to about 1,000 nm; and a microelectromechanical and/or a nanoelectromechanical system in operative communication with the substrate so as to vary the average first order of periodicity between the nanoholes and/or the nanoparticles.

Abstract: A system and method for managing optical power for controlling thermal alteration of a sample undergoing spectroscopic analysis is provided. The system includes a moveable laser beam generator for irradiating the sample and a beam shaping device for moving and shaping the laser beam to prevent thermal overload or build up in the sample. The moveable laser beam generator includes at least one beam shaping device selected from the group consisting of at least one optical lens, at least one optical diffractor, at least one optical path difference modulator, at least one moveable mirror, at least one Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems (MEMS) integrated circuit (IC), and/or a liquid droplet. The system also includes an at least two degree of freedom (2 DOF) moveable substrate platform and a controller for controlling the laser beam generator and the substrate platform, and for analyzing light reflected from the sample.

Abstract: A method of Raman detection for a portable, integrated spectrometer instrument includes directing Raman scattered photons by a sample to an avalanche photodiode (APD), the APD configured to generate an output signal responsive to the intensity of the Raman scattered photons incident thereon. The output signal of the APD is amplified and passed through a discriminator so as to reject at least one or more of amplifier noise and dark noise. A number of discrete output pulses within a set operational range of the discriminator is counted so as to determine a number of photons detected by the APD.