Abstract: Provided are a near-infrared II polymer fluorescent sub-microsphere and a method for preparing the same. The method includes steps of 1) dissolving fluorochrome in a water-immiscible organic solvent, thus obtaining a fluorochrome solution; 2) distributing a polymer sub-microsphere into a sodium dodecyl sulfonate solution, thus obtaining a sub-microsphere solution with the polymer sub-microsphere as a carrier for the fluorochrome; 3) subjecting a first mixture of the fluorochrome solution and the sub-microsphere solution to ultrasonic treatment, thus obtaining an emulsion; 4) swelling the emulsion such that the fluorochrome solution enters nanopores formed during swelling of the polymer sub-microsphere, thus obtaining a second mixture; and 5) heating the second mixture to volatilize the organic solvent, such that the fluorochrome is crystallized out and encapsulated in the nanopores, thus obtaining the near-infrared II polymer fluorescent sub-microsphere.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods for diagnosing or prognosticating SARS-CoV-2 infection and/or COVID-19 in a subject. The methods set forth improved immunoassays, sensing platforms, and methods for detecting SARS-CoV-2 infection and re-infection.

Abstract: Sensitive detection of IgG antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 is important to assessing immune responses to viral infection or vaccination and immunity duration. Antibody assays using non-invasive body fluids such as saliva could facilitate mass testing including young children, elderly and those who resist blood draws, and easily allowing longitudinal testing/monitoring of antibodies over time. Here, we developed a new lateral flow (nLF) assay that sensitively detects SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibodies in the saliva samples of vaccinated individuals and previous COVID-19 patients. The 25 minutes nLF assay detected anti-spike protein (anti-S1) IgG in saliva samples with 100% specificity and high sensitivity from both vaccinated (99.51% for samples ?19 days post 1st Pfizer or Moderna mRNA vaccine dose) and infected individuals.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods for diagnosing or prognosticating SARS-CoV-2 infection and/or COVID-19 in a subject. The methods set forth improved immunoassays, sensing platforms, and methods for detecting SARS-CoV-2 infection and re-infection.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems and methods for detecting and diagnosing flaviviral or alphaviral infections in subjects in need thereof. The systems and methods of the disclosure enable rapid testing of small volumes of biological sample with the ability to reliably distinguish between flavival and alphaviral infections and determine whether the viral infection is acute or chronic.

Abstract: Provided herein are new methods for making a highly stable metal anode (e.g., aluminum ion) battery. The battery includes, in some embodiments, a fluorinated material, for instance FEP or PTFE, as a chemical compatible enclosure which does not react with the electrolyte in the battery. In some examples, the batteries described herein are stable over many cycle lives and also tolerant a highly acidic electrolyte environment, even after long storage times. In some examples, the chemical compatible enclosure includes an inserted tube which allows for the removing of residual water and HCl which may be present in the battery, either as made, during use (e.g., charge-discharge cycling), or after use. Also set forth herein, in some examples, are methods of using a battery, including continuous drawing a vacuum on a battery during battery cycling.

Abstract: Provided are a near-infrared II polymer fluorescent microsphere and a method for preparing the same. The method includes steps of 1) dissolving fluorochrome in a water-immiscible organic solvent, thus obtaining a fluorochrome solution; 2) distributing a polymer microsphere into a sodium dodecyl sulfonate solution, thus obtaining a microsphere solution with the polymer microsphere as a carrier for the fluorochrome; 3) subjecting a first mixture of the fluorochrome solution and the microsphere solution to ultrasonic treatment, thus obtaining an emulsion; 4) swelling the emulsion such that the fluorochrome solution enters nanopores formed during swelling of the polymer microsphere, thus obtaining a second mixture; and 5) heating the second mixture to volatilize the organic solvent, such that the fluorochrome is crystallized out and encapsulated in the nanopores, thus obtaining the near-infrared II polymer fluorescent microsphere.

Abstract: Provided are a test strip for short-wave near infrared immunofluorescence chromatographic detection, a system for immunofluorescence chromatographic detection and a method for quantifying an analyte in a sample.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems and methods for detecting and diagnosing flaviviral or alphaviral infections in subjects in need thereof. The systems and methods of the disclosure enable rapid testing of small volumes of biological sample with the ability to reliably distinguish between flavival and alphaviral infections and determine whether the viral infection is acute or chronic.

Abstract: A battery assembly is described that comprises at least one battery cell; an inner container; a compression apparatus for sealing the inner container; and an outer container containing the inner container and the compression apparatus.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are compositions and systems that can be used for enhanced fluorescence-based imaging techniques and assays. The compositions and systems of the present disclosure can afford increased fluorescence for fluorescent molecules with excitation and emission in the visible and near-infrared, e.g. spanning from about 400 nm to about 2100 nm. Also provided herein are fluorescence detection based methods by utilizing the compositions and systems of the present disclosure.