Abstract: Digital pathology is a promising alternative to manual slide analysis, but improvements in imaging and analysis methods are needed to provide an analysis data set of images that can easily be handled, stored, and importantly, delivered from one data location to another. Methods and software are described herein to improve image collection and analysis.

Abstract: Digital pathology is a promising alternative to manual slide analysis, but improvements in imaging and analysis methods are needed to provide an analysis data set of images that can easily be handled, stored, and importantly, delivered from one data location to another. Methods and software are described herein to improve image collection and analysis.

Abstract: Surface treated modified carbon black particles and oil-based drilling fluids are described. The carbon blacks are incorporated into the oil-based drilling fluids to reduce the electrical resistivity of the oil-based drilling fluids. The surface treated carbon blacks can include a hydrophobic organic group and are readily dispersible in oil-based drilling fluids.

Abstract: Graphene-based materials for sequestering urea from aqueous solutions are provided. The graphene-based materials include graphene aggregates as well as graphene oxides.

Abstract: Materials and objects tagged with wavelength selective particles such as SERS nanotags modified for wavelength selectivity. As used herein, a wavelength selective particle is one which cannot be effectively excited or interrogated at one or more wavelengths where a reporter molecule associated with the particle would normally produce a spectrum. Also disclosed are methods of manufacturing wavelength selective particles and methods of tagging materials or objects with wavelength selective particles.

Abstract: Surface treated modified carbon black particles and oil-based drilling fluids are described. The carbon blacks are incorporated into the oil-based drilling fluids to reduce the electrical resistivity of the oil-based drilling fluids. The surface treated carbon blacks can include a hydrophobic organic group and are readily dispersible in oil-based drilling fluids.

Abstract: Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) uses nanoscale metal particles (SERS-active particles) or surface roughness to enhance the Raman signal of Raman-active analytes contacting the surface. SERS sandwich particles contain SERS-active particles sandwiching a Raman-active substance and serve as optical tags. Preferably, the particles are rod-shaped, with each layer (SERS-active and Raman-active) formed as a distinct stripe of the particle. These freestanding particles can be derivatized with surface ligands capable of associating with analytes of interest in, for example, a biological sample. The acquired Raman spectrum of the particle encodes the identity of the ligand. Because of the simplicity and intensity of Raman spectra, highly multiplexed assays are capable using SERS particles with different Raman-active species.

Abstract: Metal nanoparticles associated with a spectroscopy-active (e.g., Raman-active) analyte and surrounded by an encapsulant are useful as sensitive optical tags detectable by surface-enhanced spectroscopy (e.g., surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy).

Abstract: An inline spectroscopic reader having a light source, one or more optics heads, a spectrometer and a data processing system in digital communication with the spectrometer detector. The optics heads include transmission optics providing for the illumination of a target with light from the light source and detection optics providing for the collection of light from the target. Typically, the target is moving with respect to the optics head during spectroscopic interrogation. The spectroscopic reader is thus an inline reader well suited to provide spectrum based production or analytical decision making in real time as the target moves along a production or analysis line. Also disclosed are methods including the steps of illuminating a target with light from a light source; collecting light from the target; obtaining a digitized spectrum with a spectrometer; extracting information content from the digitized spectrum; and basing a contemporaneous process decision upon the information content.

Abstract: Embodiments include a particle comprising a surface enhanced spectroscopy (SES)-active core and a SES-active reporter molecule associated with the SES-active core wherein said particle has a measurable SES spectrum when excited by incident light having a wavelength of at least 1400 nm. Alternative embodiments include methods of manufacturing said particle and methods of tagging a material with said particle. The particle may include an SES-active core which supports plasmon resonance at a wavelength of at least 1400 nm. The particle may comprise an anisotropic core. The particle may include an SES-active reporter molecule which is resonant at one or more wavelengths greater than or equal to 1400 nm.

Abstract: An optically active particle and a method of manufacturing said particles, plus methods of tagging a material of interest with said particles are disclosed. The particle comprises a surface-enhanced spectroscopy (SES) active core and a SES active reporter associated with the SES core wherein the particle produces a measurable and thermally stable SES spectrum upon optical interrogation. As used in the disclosure, thermally stable may be defined as maintaining a measurable SES spectrum after the particle or any material tagged with the particle has been exposed to a temperature substantially higher than room temperature.

Abstract: Metal nanoparticles associated with a spectroscopy-active (e.g., Raman-active) analyte and surrounded by an encapsulant are useful as sensitive optical tags detectable by surface-enhanced spectroscopy (e.g., surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy).

Abstract: Submicron-sized particles or labels that can be covalently or non-covalently affixed to entities of interest for the purpose of quantification, location, identification, tracking, and diagnosis, are described.

Abstract: Materials and objects tagged with wavelength selective particles such as SERS nanotags modified for wavelength selectivity. As used herein, a wavelength selective particle is one which cannot be effectively excited or interrogated at one or more wavelengths where a reporter molecule associated with the particle would normally produce a spectrum. Also disclosed are methods of manufacturing wavelength selective particles and methods of tagging materials or objects with wavelength selective particles.

Abstract: A method of producing a surface enhanced Raman scattering spectrum which is useful for certain types of assays, in particular proximity assays. The method includes providing two SERS-active nanoparticles. The first SERS-active nanoparticle will absorb a photon at a first wavelength and emit a Raman-shifted photon at a second wavelength. The second SERS-active nanoparticle will absorb a photon at the second wavelength and emit a Raman-shifted photon at a third wavelength. Accordingly, when the first and second SERS-active nanoparticles are proximate to one another and the first SERS-active nanoparticle is illuminated at the first wavelength a Raman-shifted photon at the second wavelength may be emitted. This photon can be absorbed by the second SERS-active nanoparticle causing detectable emission of a second Raman-shifted photon at the third wavelength. Various assays may be designed based upon the above.

Abstract: Embodiments include types of programmable surface-enhanced spectroscopy (SES) particles (PSPs), including PSP 200 having a SES-active surface 202 and a programmable reporter 206 associated with the SES surface 202 and methods of fabricating and using same. The programmable reporter 206 provides that the PSP 200 will return a controlled but variable signal in response to spectroscopic interrogation. The spectroscopic signal can be triggered to change externally or the signal may naturally vary over time.

Abstract: Various methods of use for surface enhanced spectroscopy-active composite nanoparticles (SACN's) are provided. SACN's are submicron-sized particles or labels can be covalently or non-covalently affixed to entities of interest for the purpose of quantification, location, identification, tracking, and diagnosis. The various methods include administering a SACN nanoparticle imaging agent to a patient, scanning the patient using a system that can perform spectral imaging; and generating a spectrum or image of an internal region of the patient. A method, for diagnosing an abnormal pathology as well as a method for labeling an animal with a SACN are also provided.

Abstract: One embodiment is a SERS enhancing substrate which includes a porous substrate and a Raman enhancing material associated with a surface of the porous substrate. The Raman enhancing material may be a Raman enhancing metal or other Raman enhancing material. The Raman enhancing material may also be configured to improve binding of a taggant to the substrate. The substrate described above may be included in a sample vessel useful for the flow-through analysis of large sample volumes, or for the rapid analysis of very dilute samples. Other embodiments include methods and systems for detecting taggants with SERS and similar techniques.

Abstract: Methods and systems for the use of Surface Enhanced Raman Scattering nanotags (SERS nanotags) to create homogeneous (no-wash), heterogeneous or sequence detection assay platforms. In certain embodiments the SERS nanotags are used in combination with magnetic particles. Multiplexed assay platforms are also disclosed. In certain embodiments, the assay is useful for clinical proteomics. Assay platforms suitable for use within a biological matrix, for example within whole blood or serum are also disclosed. The assay formats described herein may be used to detect any analyte of interest including but not limited to the detection of cells, viruses, bacteria, proteins, DNA, RNA, or small molecules in any type of biological (animal or plant kingdom) or environmental samples including but not limited to whole blood or serum, occult samples, urine, feces, air, drinking water, phage, any organism, multicellular clumps of cells, for example, cancer tissue homogenate.

Abstract: A method of detecting melamine which includes providing a quantity of SERS-active particles and mixing the SERS-active particles with a solution containing melamine. The method further includes detecting a surface enhanced Raman spectrum of the melamine. The foregoing method may optionally include aggregating the SERS-active particles. Aggregation may occur before or after the SERS-active particles are mixed with a solution containing melamine. The method of detecting melamine may optionally include concentration of the SERS-active particles. The method may further include mixing a chaotropic agent having a higher affinity for a selected binding site than melamine into the solution containing melamine. The method may further include mixing a quantity of a SERS-active standard having a known SERS spectrum with the solution containing melamine and SERS-active particles. Assay apparatus and systems are also disclosed.