Abstract: The present technology relates to an optical logic circuit device. The optical logic circuit device includes a first input port and a second input port. A symmetric arrangement of waveguides is coupled to the first input port and the second input port. The symmetric arrangement of waveguides having a pair of topologically protected edge states that provide propagation paths through the symmetric arrangement of waveguides. An output port is coupled to the symmetric arrangement of waveguides. Methods of fabricating and using the optical logic circuit device are also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for the cellular uptake of sugar-coated melanin nanoparticles by metastatic cancer cells followed by illumination with nonionizing radiation (e.g., visible or IR light) causing cell death.

Abstract: An all solution-processed deposition includes a non-water soluble, non-self-cracking film deposited by a solution process (e.g., spray, dip, spin coat, and the like), a water soluble, self-cracking film deposited by a solution process (e.g., spray, dip, spin coat, and the like), cracking of the film, and filling the cracks with a metal that is deposited in solution (e.g., by electroless disposition). A transparent substrate having a cracked water insoluble, non-self-cracking film surface coating includes a plurality of fissures therein extending to and exposing portions of the surface of the underlying transparent substrate is useful for producing a transparent conducting film.

Abstract: Structures and methods for electron-hole photogeneration by plasmonic multiple exciton generation in light absorbing layers and solar cells are disclosed.

Abstract: In one aspect, described are biosensors comprising a working electrode layer comprising a dendritic array comprising metallic dendrites having a conductive polymer layer. Systems are described using the disclosed biosensors useful for POC disease diagnosis, including, but not limited to, resource limited areas. Methods are described for making the disclosed biosensors which allow for improved control of dendritic growth using a pillared substrate, rather than a planar one. Also described are methods of using the disclosed biosensors to detect an analyte associated with a particular disease, e.g., an infectious disease. 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 disclosure.

Abstract: A nanoscale wireless communication system and device operates via in-plane information transmission between a broadcast plasmonic antenna and a receiver plasmonic antenna which mediates a three-step conversion process (surface plasmon?photon?surface plasmon) with in-plane and in-phase efficiency (plasmon?plasmon) in the free-space excitation wavelength for antenna separations in the far-field.

Abstract: The invention provides a novel, template-free process for the fabrication of metal nanowires of novel dimensions. The unconventional method produces highly ordered and freestanding aluminum nanowire arrays.

Abstract: A nanoscale wireless communication system and device operates via in-plane information transmission between a broadcast plasmonic antenna and a receiver plasmonic antenna which mediates a three-step conversion process (surface plasmon?photon?surface plasmon) with in-plane and in-phase efficiency (plasmon?plasmon) in the free-space excitation wavelength for antenna separations in the far-field.

Abstract: An all solution-processed deposition includes a non-water soluble, non-self-cracking film deposited by a solution process (e.g., spray, dip, spin coat, and the like), a water soluble, self-cracking film deposited by a solution process (e.g., spray, dip, spin coat, and the like), cracking of the film, and filling the cracks with a metal that is deposited in solution (e.g., by electroless disposition). A transparent substrate having a cracked water insoluble, non-self-cracking film surface coating includes a plurality of fissures therein extending to and exposing portions of the surface of the underlying transparent substrate is useful for producing a transparent conducting film.

Abstract: The invention provides novel devices and methods that enable ultrahigh spatial and temporal resolution interfaces that allow access and intervention to local (intra- and proximate extra-neuronal) neuroelectronic and neurotransmitter molecular signatures associated with aberrant cell function and cell death leading to neurodegenerative diseases. Scalable devices based on a unique nanoscale coaxial electrode array of the invention offer neural recording and control at unprecedented levels of precisions.

Abstract: The invention provides a novel, template-free process for the fabrication of metal nanowires of novel dimensions. The unconventional method produces highly ordered and freestanding aluminum nanowire arrays.

Abstract: A nanocoaxial sensor includes an outer conductor, an inner conductor, a nanoporous dielectric material disposed between the outer and inner conductors, a nanocavity sized to allow target species to enter the nanocavity between the outer and inner conductors.

Abstract: The present invention describes a novel absorbent core for the absorbent article in which the top surface of the core is embossed in a pattern that is made from curves rather than straight lines or polygons. In a preferred embodiment, the top surface is embossed with a pattern made by circles with spacing between consecutive circles. The novel article is not only less rigid and smoother on the body surface, but also exhibits better absorptive capacity. Various other embodiments are described and are within the scope of the invention.

Abstract: Structures and methods for controlling phonon-scattering are provided. In some embodiments, a metamaterial structure comprises a light absorbing layer (16) capable of absorbing solar energy and converting the absorbed energy into electrical current, a first patterned layer (14) disposed on a light absorbing surface of the light absorbing layer (16), the first patterned layer (14) being configured to increase light absorption in the light absorbing layer (16), and a second patterned layer (60) disposed in proximity to the light absorbing layer (16), the second patterned layer (60) being configured to control phonon-scattering by storing or protecting the hot electron energy in the light absorbing layer (16).

Abstract: The invention provides novel devices and methods that enable ultrahigh spatial and temporal resolution interfaces that allow access and intervention to local (intra- and proximate extra-neuronal) neuroelectronic and neurotransmitter molecular signatures associated with aberrant cell function and cell death leading to neurodegenerative diseases. Scalable devices based on a unique nanocoaxial electrode array of the invention offer neural recording and control at unprecedented levels of precisions.

Abstract: Devices and methods for enhancing optical absorbance and photovoltaics are disclosed. In some embodiments, a light absorbing device comprises a light absorbing material having a front surface and a back surface, and a planar array of nanostructures embedded within the light absorbing material between the front surface and the back surface of the light absorbing material. The nanostructures may be formed from a metallic material.

Abstract: A nanocoaxial sensor includes an outer conductor, an inner conductor, a nanoporous dielectric material disposed between the outer and inner conductors, a nanocavity sized to allow target species to enter the nanocavity between the outer and inner conductors.

Abstract: Nanoscale photovoltaic devices fabricated from nanoscale waveguides that receive, propagate, and convert incident light into electrical neural signals, and methods of using these photovoltaic devices for visual perception are disclosed herein. A visual neuroprosthetic device includes an array of nanoscale waveguides each nanoscale waveguide in the array having a photovoltaic material located between an internal conductor and an external conductor, wherein each nanoscale waveguide receives, propagates, and converts incident light into electrical neural signals.

Abstract: An apparatus and methods for solar conversion using nanoscale cometal structures are disclosed herein. The cometal structures may be coaxial and coplanar. A nanoscale optics apparatus for use as a solar cell comprises a plurality of nanoscale cometal structures each including a photovoltaic material located between a first electrical conductor and a second electrical conductor. A method of fabricating solar cells comprises preparing a plurality of nanoscale planar structures; coating a plurality of planar surfaces of the plurality of planar structures with a photovoltaic semiconductor while leaving space between the plurality of planar surfaces; and coating the photovoltaic semiconductor with an outer electrical conductor layer, wherein a portion of the outer electrical conductor layer is located between the planar structures to form coplanar structures.

Abstract: Nanoscopically thin photovoltaic junction solar cells are disclosed herein. In an embodiment, there is provided a photovoltaic film 100 that includes a p-doped region 102, an n-doped region 106, and an intrinsic region 104 positioned between the p-doped region 102 and the n-doped region 106, wherein an overall thickness of the photovoltaic film is between about 15 nm to about 30 nm so as to extract hot carriers excited across a band gap, wherein the extracted hot carriers are capable of resulting in an open circuit voltage, Voc, of the photovoltaic film that increases with optical frequency, and wherein the extracted hot carriers are capable of resulting in a total short-circuit current density, Jsc, between about 4 mA/cm2 and about 8 mA/cm2.