Abstract: A system useful for in vivo and ex vivo spectroscopy comprises a water source connected to supply water through a passage to an outlet at a flow rate sufficient to issue a laminar water jet from the outlet, a light source operative to emit a light beam that is guided to a sample by the water jet, and an analysis unit connected to receive collected light that has been emitted from the sample into the water jet and operable to analyze the collected light. Some embodiments provide endoscopes with integrated light guides.

Abstract: A system useful for in vivo and ex vivo spectroscopy comprises a water source connected to supply water through a passage to an outlet at a flow rate sufficient to issue a laminar water jet from the outlet, a light source operative to emit a light beam that is guided to a sample by the water jet, and an analysis unit connected to receive collected light that has been emitted from the sample into the water jet and operable to analyze the collected light. Some embodiments provide endoscopes with integrated light guides.

Abstract: A Raman endoscope for use in obtaining in vivo Raman spectra in the peripheral airways of the lungs and a method of constructing the Raman endoscope are disclosed. The endoscope has a tubular sheath containing a fiber bundle. The sheath has an outer diameter of less than 1.35 mm. The sheath is made of fluorinated ethylene propylene. The sheath is flexible along its length from a first end to a point along the sheath so that it can navigate sharp turns within the peripheral airways. A layer of coating covers the sheath along a terminal length and a probe tip of the fiber bundle. The terminal length extends along a length of the sheath extending from a second end opposite to the first end to the point. Terminal length is rigid to facilitate advancement of the endoscope towards the lesion of interest. Terminal length is 5 mm or less.

Abstract: Anti-fouling coatings and associated systems and methods are generally described. In some aspects, a system comprises a substrate, a coating disposed on at least a portion of the substrate, and a fluid comprising one or more foulants, where the coating is configured to be in physical contact with the fluid during use. According to some embodiments, a full-spectral Hamaker constant associated with the coating and the fluid is relatively low (e.g., about 20 zj or less, about 10 zj or less), and the van der Waals (vdW) force between the coating and the one or more foulants is, therefore, correspondingly low. Under some conditions (e.g., high temperature and/or high pressure conditions), intermolecular interactions between the coating and the one or more foulants may he dominated by the vdW force, and a relatively low vdW force may reduce the likelihood of the one or more foulants adhering to and/or otherwise being deposited on the coating.

Abstract: Composite anti-fouling coatings and associated systems and methods are generally described. In some aspects, a system comprises a substrate, a composite coating disposed on at least a portion of the substrate, and a fluid comprising one or more foulants, where the composite coating is configured to be in physical contact with the fluid during use. The composite coating may comprise a first region comprising a first material and a second region comprising a second material that is different from the first material. According to some embodiments, a full- spectral Hamaker constant associated with the composite coating and the fluid (i.e., based on average optical properties of the first and second materials of the composite coating) is relatively low, and the van der Waals (vdW) force between the composite coating and the one or more foulants is, therefore, correspondingly low. Under some conditions (e.g.

Abstract: A Raman endoscope for use in obtaining in vivo Raman spectra in the peripheral airways of the lungs and a method of constructing the Raman endoscope are disclosed. The endoscope has a tubular sheath containing a fiber bundle. The sheath has an outer diameter of less than 1.35 mm. The sheath is made of fluorinated ethylene propylene. The sheath is flexible along its length from a first end to a point along the sheath so that it can navigate sharp turns within the peripheral airways. A layer of coating covers the sheath along a terminal length and a probe tip of the fiber bundle. The terminal length extends along a length of the sheath extending from a second end opposite to the first end to the point. Terminal length is rigid to facilitate advancement of the endoscope towards the lesion of interest. Terminal length is 5 mm or less.

Abstract: Examples of a spectroscopy system with a specially design ambient illumination system are disclosed. The ambient illumination system comprises one or more light emitting diodes (LEDs) that provide illumination light in the wavelength of 400-785 nm. The ambient illumination system can further comprise a filter to block light above 785 nm. The filter can be placed directly in front of LED emitters. The LEDs can be white LEDs or RGB LEDs. The spectroscopy system can further comprise a control system that can receive a signal from the spectral probe when the spectral measurements commence and can instantaneously send a signal to automatically switch off the ambient illumination system and to receive a signal from the spectral probe when the spectral measurements are terminated and automatically switch on the ambient illumination system. Examples of methods of operating the spectroscopy system and the ambient illumination system are disclosed.

Abstract: Examples of a spectroscopy probe for performing measurements of Raman spectra, reflectance spectra and fluorescence spectra are disclosed. The integrated spectral probe can comprise one or more light sources to provide a white light illumination to generate reflectance spectra, an excitation light to generate an UV/visible fluorescence spectra and a narrow band NIR excitation to induce Raman spectra. The multiple modalities of spectral measurements can be performed within 2 seconds or less. Examples of methods of operating the integrated spectroscopy probe disclosed.

Abstract: Examples of a spectroscopy probe for performing measurements of Raman spectra, reflectance spectra and fluorescence spectra are disclosed. The integrated spectral probe can comprise one or more light sources to provide a white light illumination to generate reflectance spectra, an excitation light to generate an UV/visible fluorescence spectra and a narrow band NIR excitation to induce Raman spectra. The multiple modalities of spectral measurements can be performed within 2 seconds or less. Examples of methods of operating the integrated spectroscopy probe disclosed.

Abstract: Examples of a spectroscopy system with a specially design ambient illumination system are disclosed. The ambient illumination system comprises one or more light emitting diodes (LEDs) that provide illumination light in the wavelength of 400-785 nm. The ambient illumination system can further comprise a filter to block light above 785 nm. The filter can be placed directly in front of LED emitters. The LEDs can be white LEDs or RGB LEDs. The spectroscopy system can further comprise a control system that can receive a signal from the spectral probe when the spectral measurements commence and can instantaneously send a signal to automatically switch off the ambient illumination system and to receive a signal from the spectral probe when the spectral measurements are terminated and automatically switch on the ambient illumination system. Examples of methods of operating the spectroscopy system and the ambient illumination system are disclosed.

Abstract: Among other things, an apparatus includes a combination of a fissionable material, a molten salt, a moderator material, and ceramic cladding.

Abstract: Near-infrared Raman spectroscopy can be applied to identify preneoplastic lesions of the bronchial tree. Real-time in vivo Raman spectra of lung tissues may be obtained with a fiber optic catheter passed down the instrument channel of a bronchoscope. Using prototype apparatus, preneoplastic lesions were detected with sensitivity and specificity of 96 and 91% respectively. The use of Raman spectroscopy apparatus and methods in conjunction with other bronchoscopy imaging modalities can substantially reduce the number of false positive results.

Abstract: A method and system for characterizing tissue includes a probe connected to a red LASER source and a Raman spectroscope. The probe includes at least excitation fiber and one or more emission fibers that connect the probe with the LASER source and the Raman spectroscope. The excitation fiber is connected to the red LASER source and terminates in the first end of the probe adjacent the tip of the probe. The emission fibers are connected to the Raman spectroscope and terminate in the first end of the probe adjacent the tip of the probe. In one embodiment, the excitation fiber extends through the central portion of the probe and one or more emission fibers are arranged around the excitation fiber. The tip of the probe is intended to come in contact with the tissue to be examined. The tip includes a central opening to allow red LASER radiation to project out of the end of the red excitation fiber on to the tissue and to permit Raman spectra to enter the emission fiber(s) and travel to the Raman spectroscope.

Abstract: An apparatus which facilitates retaining a coil wire from a microphone onto a shirt. The device is used to retain the coil from a microphone to a location adjacent to a police officer's shirt. The microphone or other communication device has an alligator clip or other means by which it is clipped to a shirt. The microphone is attached to a coil which then is attached to a pack which is usually worn on the police officer's belt. The present invention provides a secure loop which is securely retained on the shirt and through which the microphone coil passes. As a result, when the microphone becomes dislodged, the loop provides a means by which the coil dangles from the loop and enables the microphone to remain adjacent to the police officer's shirt.

Abstract: An automatic discharge device includes a housing having a top portion and a base portion, wherein surfaces defining a recess are provided therebetween for securely holding a container. At least one gear is disposed substantially between the recess and a rear panel of the housing. A drive motor is in association with the at least one gear. An actuator arm is also provided. Activation of the drive motor and the at least one gear provides for movement of the actuator arm between at least one of a pre-actuation position and a discharge position along a path that has a directional component parallel to a longitudinal axis of the recess.

Abstract: A method and system for event-driven network management. A network management application is configured to detect a network event generated by an external application and to execute an action in response to detecting said network event, wherein the network management application is configurable to receive information describing the network event and the action. The network event is monitored for. In response to detecting the network event, the action is executed.

Abstract: An automatic discharge device comprises a housing adapted to receive a container therein. An actuator arm is attached to the housing and movable between first and second positions. The actuator arm includes a dispensing bore therein. A drive unit is provided for automatically moving the actuator arm into one of the first and second positions in response to a signal from at least one of a timer, a sensor, and a manual switch. The actuator arm is adapted to engage and actuate a nozzle of the container in the first position and allow a fluid disposed in an interior of the container to be dispensed through the nozzle and the dispensing bore of the actuator arm.

Abstract: A side panel for a fabric care appliance is described. The side panel includes an embossed pattern for increasing a first natural frequency (or first harmonic) of the side panel. Preferably, the first natural frequency is substantially higher than any ordinary operating frequency or driving frequency of the appliance. For example, in a washing machine, the first natural frequency of the side panel is preferably at least 1.6 times greater than the maximum rotational frequency of a drum or tumbler of the machine.