Abstract: A system and method for utilizing a carbide-derived carbon (CDC) fiber in solid-phase micro extraction. Optically pumping the carbide-derived carbon (CDC) fiber, as compared to using thermal desorption, enhances performance of the system. CDC provides for a broad based sorbent that is insensitive to high humidity. Optical pumping may be done axially or radially on a modified gas chromatography needle. In some cases, staged, or pulsed, optical pumping is used to drive off solvent or other lower boiling compounds first and then the desorption of the remaining analytes is cleaner and the instrumentation is less likely to be overloaded.

Abstract: A system and method for utilizing a carbide-derived carbon (CDC) fiber in solid-phase micro extraction. Optically pumping the carbide-derived carbon (CDC) fiber, as compared to using thermal desorption, enhances performance of the system. CDC provides for a broad based sorbent that is insensitive to high humidity. Optical pumping may be done axially or radially on a modified gas chromatography needle. In some cases, staged, or pulsed, optical pumping is used to drive off solvent or other lower boiling compounds first and then the desorption of the remaining analytes is cleaner and the instrumentation is less likely to be overloaded.

Abstract: A photon-activated quantum dot capacitor and method of fabrication. A photon-activated quantum dot capacitor photodetector having a read only integrated circuit; and a photon-activated quantum dot capacitor chip hybridized with the read only integrated circuit, wherein said photon-activated quantum dot capacitor chip comprises colloidal quantum dots that detect photons as a change in a dielectric constant of the colloidal quantum dots of the photon-activated quantum dot capacitor chip, including the further implementation of a photodetector.

Abstract: The system and method for a metal meta-material embedded with a phase change material to form an optically induced phase change material. A metal doped polymer domain within the optically induced phase change material provides electric-field enhancement at the interface with a semiconductor domain and provides a thermal heat sink, to provide rapid thermal dissipation away from the semiconductor domain during the optical process.

Abstract: A method for detection and identification of a chemical using a preconcentrator to collect a sample of the chemical, process said sample of the chemical, and introduce said processed chemical into a chemical analysis instrument for the detection of and identification of the chemical. A system for detecting and identifying a chemical comprising a preconcentrator having at least dual concentrating elements.

Abstract: In the method for scrubbing a chemical from a medium, wherein the improvement comprises the steps of using a carbide derived carbon to adsorb the chemical which may later be released by heating. The carbide derived carbon may be a powder, a fiber, a solid foam, a mesh, or other solid form. The carbide derived carbon can adsorb a chemical in the gaseous, liquid, particulate, or aerosol phase.

Abstract: In the method for scrubbing a chemical from a medium, wherein the improvement comprises the steps of using a carbide derived carbon to adsorb the chemical which may later be released by heating. The carbide derived carbon may be a powder, a fiber, a solid foam, a mesh, or other solid form. The carbide derived carbon can adsorb a chemical in the gaseous, liquid, particulate, or aerosol phase.

Abstract: The system and method of using carbide derived carbon as a sorbent material in high humidity environments. In some cases, the sorbent material is used for breath analysis. In some cases, the sorbent material is used in a gas mask. In certain cases, the sorbent material is functionalized for detection or capture of particular chemicals.

Abstract: A method for detection and identification of a chemical using a preconcentrator to collect a sample of the chemical, process said sample of the chemical, and introduce said processed chemical into a chemical analysis instrument for the detection of and identification of the chemical. A system for detecting and identifying a chemical comprising a preconcentrator having at least dual concentrating elements.

Abstract: Techniques are provided for a physically unclonable function (PUF) device. One example PUF device includes, a readout integrated circuit (ROIC) (such as a ROIC for a focal plane array or other imaging application), a nanomaterial-based PUF layer on the ROIC, and a common electrode on the PUF layer. The nanomaterial is randomly distributed throughout the PUF layer. A method of using a PUF device that includes a nanomaterial-based PUF layer coupled to a ROIC, where the nanomaterial is randomly distributed throughout the PUF layer, includes driving the ROIC at a plurality of locations coupled to a corresponding plurality of locations of the PUF layer, sensing the nanomaterial at the locations of the PUF layer, and generating a unique identification key from the sensed locations of the PUF layer. The method can be used, for example, for secure decryption or for identifying or authenticating the PUF device.

Abstract: A photon-activated quantum dot capacitor and method of fabrication. A photon-activated quantum dot capacitor photodetector having a read only integrated circuit; and a photon-activated quantum dot capacitor chip hybridized with the read only integrated circuit, wherein said photon-activated quantum dot capacitor chip comprises colloidal quantum dots that detect photons as a change in a dielectric constant of the colloidal quantum dots of the photon-activated quantum dot capacitor chip, including the further implementation of a photodetector.

Abstract: A system and method for detecting at least one compound in a material under test (MUT) is presented. The system includes a Nuclear Quadrupole Resonance (NQR) frequency generator that generates an NQR frequency (fNQR) and propagates the fNQR frequency toward the MUT. A microwave frequency generator generates a microwave frequency (fmw) and propagates the fmw frequency toward the MUT. A RF output probe detects radio frequency (RF) emissions returned from the MUT. A detector detects the at least one compound based, at least in part, on whether the RF emissions returned from the MUT include any frequencies corresponding to fmw+/?(n×fNQR), where n is an integer of 2 or greater. In the preferred embodiment, n=2.

Abstract: Analytes are rapidly desorbed from a carbonaceous sorbent powder with improved quantitation and reduced analyte re-adsorption, thermal degradation, and rearrangement. The sample is distributed in a thin layer onto a desorption surface within a chamber. The layer can be a monolayer. Heating light irradiates the sample through a window, directly and rapidly heating the sample while the desorbed analytes diffuse into a vacuum or are removed by a carrier gas. Finally, the sorbent is flushed from the chamber by a transport gas. The desorption surface can be an inner surface of the window, or a surface of a porous frit that divides the chamber into two sections. The frit can be stainless steel or glass. The carrier gas can be helium, argon, or carbon dioxide. The light source can be a tungsten halogen lamp. A heater can control the chamber temperature according to a heating profile.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods of preparing inorganic nanoparticles. In one aspect, the methods can comprise heating a reaction mixture comprising a C8 to C20 alkyl- or arylphosphonic acid and a source of cadmium or zinc to a temperature of greater than about 300° C.; adding to the reaction mixture an injection mixture comprising a C2 to C16 trialkyl- or triarylphosphine and a source of selenium, sulfur, or tellurium; and decreasing the temperature of the reaction mixture to less than about 300° C. Also disclosed herein are nanoparticles made from the disclosed methods. This abstract is intended as a scanning tool for purposes of searching in the particular art and is not intended to be limiting of the present invention.

Abstract: A method for providing superadsorption of polar organic compounds using a material system is provided. The method can comprise enhancing adsorption by means of using high surface area and mass transfer rates and decreased reactivity at surface sites attractive to the polar compounds; and employing consequence management by maintaining a high rate of adsorptivity combined with high fidelity and accuracy of the material system. A modified superadsorbent material for air sampling applications comprising a superadsorbent material treated with a solution, thereby forming a treated superadsorbent material, wherein the treated superadsorbent material is substantially hydrophobic and is capable of adsorbing polar compounds.

Abstract: Analytes are rapidly desorbed from a carbonaceous sorbent powder with improved quantitation and reduced analyte re-adsorption, thermal degradation, and rearrangement. The sample is distributed in a thin layer onto a desorption surface within a chamber. The layer can be a monolayer. Heating light irradiates the sample through a window, directly and rapidly heating the sample while the desorbed analytes diffuse into a vacuum or are removed by a carrier gas. Finally, the sorbent is flushed from the chamber by a transport gas. The desorption surface can be an inner surface of the window, or a surface of a porous frit that divides the chamber into two sections. The frit can be stainless steel or glass. The carrier gas can be helium, argon, or carbon dioxide. The light source can be a tungsten halogen lamp. A heater can control the chamber temperature according to a heating profile.

Abstract: In one aspect, the invention relates to an inorganic nanoparticle or nanocrystal, also referred to as a quantum dot, capable of emitting white light. In a further aspect, the invention relates to an inorganic nanoparticle capable of absorbing energy from a first electromagnetic region and capable of emitting light in a second electromagnetic region, wherein the second electromagnetic region comprises an at least about 50 nm wide band of wavelengths and to methods for the preparation thereof. In further aspects, the invention relates to a frequency converter, a light emitting diode device, a modified fluorescent light source, an electroluminescent device, and an energy cascade system comprising the nanoparticle of the invention. This abstract is intended as a scanning tool for purposes of searching in the particular art and is not intended to be limiting of the present invention.

Abstract: In one aspect, the invention relates to an inorganic nanoparticle or nanocrystal, also referred to as a quantum dot, capable of emitting white light. In a further aspect, the invention relates to an inorganic nanoparticle capable of absorbing energy from a first electromagnetic region and capable of emitting light in a second electromagnetic region, wherein the second electromagnetic region comprises an at least about 50 nm wide band of wavelengths and to methods for the preparation thereof. In further aspects, the invention relates to a frequency converter, a light emitting diode device, a modified fluorescent light source, an electroluminescent device, and an energy cascade system comprising the nanoparticle of the invention. This abstract is intended as a scanning tool for purposes of searching in the particular art and is not intended to be limiting of the present invention.

Abstract: A method for providing superadsorption of polar organic compounds using a material system comprising the steps of enhancing adsorption by means of using high surface area and mass transfer rates and decreased reactivity at surface sites attractive to the polar compounds and employing consequence management by maintaining a high rate of adsorptivity combined with high fidelity and accuracy of the material system.

Abstract: A method for providing superadsorption of long chain hydrocarbon compounds using a material system comprising the steps of enhancing adsorption by decreasing reactivity at surface sites attractive to long chain hydrocarbon compounds and employing consequence management by maintaining a high rate of adsorptivity combined with high fidelity and accuracy of the material system.