Abstract: A carrier for single molecule detection includes a substrate and a metal layer. The substrate has a surface and includes a number of three-dimensional nano-structures at the surface. The metal layer is located on the surface of the substrate and covers the three-dimensional nano-structures. The enhancement factor of SERS of the carrier is relatively high.

Abstract: A method for detecting single molecule includes providing a carrier. The carrier includes a substrate and a metal layer. The substrate has a surface and defines a number of blind holes caved in the substrate from the surface thereof. The metal layer covers the surface of the substrate and inner surfaces of the number of blind holes. Single molecule samples are disposed on the metal layer. The single molecule samples are detected by a Raman Spectroscopy system.

Abstract: A nanoimprint resist that includes a hyperbranched polyurethane oligomer (HP), a perfluoropolyether (PFPE), a methylmethacrylate (MMA), a diluent solvent and a photo initiator. A method of a nanoimprint lithography is also provided.

Abstract: A nanoimprint mold includes a flexible body and a molding layer formed on the flexible body. The molding layer includes a plurality of protrusions and recesses. The molding layer is a polymer material polymerized via a cross linking polymerization of a nanoimprint resist which includes a hyperbranched polyurethane oligomer (HP), a perfluoropolyether (PFPE), a methylmethacrylate (MMA), a diluent solvent and a photo initiator. A method for making the nanoimprint mold is also provided.

Abstract: A system for identifying test tube types and properties in a sample handling machine using visual information automatically obtained by an optical imager and then processed using vision processing methods. The system includes an optical imager positioned to capture images containing one or more test tubes in a rack and a microcontroller programmed to extract predetermined regions of interest and interpret the optical information in the image to decipher the dimension of the test tubes, determine the presence or absence of caps on the test tubes, decode any encoded data, and interpret custom symbologies. The system may then determine the nature of the test tubes or other containers presented before the image and provide that information to the sample handling machine to assist with processing of samples.

Abstract: A system for identifying test tube types and properties in a sample handling machine using visual information automatically obtained by an optical imager and then processed using vision processing methods. The system includes an optical imager positioned to capture images containing one or more test tubes in a rack and a microcontroller programmed to extract predetermined regions of interest and interpret the optical information in the image to decipher the dimension of the test tubes, determine the presence or absence of caps on the test tubes, decode any encoded data, and interpret custom symbologies. The system may then determine the nature of the test tubes or other containers presented before the image and provide that information to the sample handling machine to assist with processing of samples.

Abstract: A system for automatically identifying a logo or trademark applied to a device and verifying that the logo or trademark is acceptably identifies a compatible device. The system uses an optical imager to capture optical images of the target device and a microcontroller interconnected to the imager for processing the optical image to extract image information and verify that the contents of the image reflect the appropriate manufacturer or supplied indicia required by a host device. The decision reached by the microcontroller may be provided externally to a host device, thereby precluding or allowing use of the device, or provided directly to a user via know means, such as a visual display or audible output.

Abstract: A nanoimprint method is provided. A substrate and a master stamp are first provided. The substrate has a first resist layer, a transition layer, and a second resist layer orderly formed thereon. The master stamp has a nanopattern defined therein. The second resist layer is a layer of hydrogen silsesquioxane. The nanopattern of the master stamp is then pressed into the second resist layer to form a nanopattern in the second resist layer at normal temperature which is in a range from about 20 centidegrees to about 50 centidegrees. Finally, the nanopattern of the second resist layer is transferred to the substrate.

Abstract: A method for making a nano-optical antenna array includes following steps. First, an insulative substrate is provided. Second, the insulative substrate is hydrophilicly treated. Third, a monolayer nanosphere array is formed on the insulative substrate. Fourth, a film is deposited on the monolayer nanosphere array. Fifth, the monolayer nanosphere array is removed.

Abstract: A system for capturing images of a target, such as a test tube, that is presented in front of an optical imager and rotated 360 degrees. The imager of the system captures a series of images which are then stitched together to form a panoramic image of the target. The panoramic image may then be processed to decode any barcode code information placed on the target, capture other information placed on the target, or obtain information about the target or the contents thereof.

Abstract: A machine vision system for controlling the alignment of an arm in a robotic handling system. The machine vision system includes an optical imager aligned to simultaneously capture an image that contains a view of the side of an object, such as a test tube, along with a view of the top of the object provided by a mirror appropriately positioned on the robotic arm. The machine vision system further includes a microcontroller or similar device for interpreting both portions of the image. For example, the microcontroller may be programmed to determine the location of the object in the reflected portion of the image and transpose that information into the location of the object relative to the robotic arm. The microcontroller may also be programmed to decode information positioned on the object by interpreting visual information contained in the other portion of the captured image.

Abstract: A nanoimprint mold includes a flexible body and a molding layer formed on the flexible body. The molding layer includes a plurality of protrusions and recesses. The molding layer is a polymer material polymerized via a cross linking polymerization of a nanoimprint resist which includes a hyperbranched polyurethane oligomer (HP), a perfluoropolyether (PFPE), a methylmethacrylate (MMA), a diluent solvent and a photo initiator. A method for making the nanoimprint mold is also provided.

Abstract: A nanoimprint resist includes a hyperbranched polyurethane oligomer (HP), a perfluoropolyether (PFPE), a methylmethacrylate (MMA), and a diluent solvent. A method of a nanoimprint lithography is also provided.

Abstract: A nanoimprint resist that includes a hyperbranched polyurethane oligomer (HP), a perfluoropolyether (PFPE), a methylmethacrylate (MMA), a diluent solvent and a photo initiator. A method of a nanoimprint lithography is also provided.

Abstract: A rehabilitation system (10) for training hand movement of a user, the system comprising: a platform (24) to be attached to the hand of the user; a plurality of finger assemblies (71) operatively connected to the platform (24), each finger assembly (71) having: a motor (12), a proximal follower assembly (13) for a metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joint having a proximal rail guide (14) operatively connected to the motor (12), and an intermediate follower assembly (16) for a proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joint having an intermediate rail guide (17) operatively connected to the proximal follower assembly (13); wherein a knuckle joint indicator (22) of the proximal rail guide (14) corresponds to a first virtual center (30) and knuckle joint indicator (25) of the intermediate rail guide (17) corresponds to a second virtual center (31), the alignment of the knuckle joint indicators (22, 25) to the virtual centers (30, 31) enable motion of the finger to be controlled and maintain rotational axes of the finger about each

Abstract: Directed graph embedding is described. In one implementation, a system explores the link structure of a directed graph and embeds the vertices of the directed graph into a vector space while preserving affinities that are present among vertices of the directed graph. Such an embedded vector space facilitates general data analysis of the information in the directed graph. Optimal embedding can be achieved by measuring local affinities among vertices via transition probabilities between the vertices, based on a stationary distribution of Markov random walks through the directed graph. For classifying linked web pages represented by a directed graph, the system can train a support vector machine (SVM) classifier, which can operate in a user-selectable number of dimensions.

Abstract: A system for identifying test tube types and properties in a sample handling machine using visual information automatically obtained by an optical imager and then processed using vision processing methods. The system includes an optical imager positioned to capture images containing one or more test tubes in a rack and a microcontroller programmed to extract predetermined regions of interest and interpret the optical information in the image to decipher the dimension of the test tubes, determine the presence or absence of caps on the test tubes, decode any encoded data, and interpret custom symbologies. The system may then determine the nature of the test tubes or other containers presented before the image and provide that information to the sample handling machine to assist with processing of samples.

Abstract: A system for automatically identifying a logo or trademark applied to a device and verifying that the logo or trademark is acceptably identifies a compatible device. The system uses an optical imager to capture optical images of the target device and a microcontroller interconnected to the imager for processing the optical image to extract image information and verify that the contents of the image reflect the appropriate manufacturer or supplied indicia required by a host device. The decision reached by the microcontroller may be provided externally to a host device, thereby precluding or allowing use of the device, or provided directly to a user via know means, such as a visual display or audible output.

Abstract: Progressive cut interactive object segmentation is described. In one implementation, a system analyzes strokes input by the user during iterative image segmentation in order to model the user's intention for refining segmentation. In the user intention model, the color of each stroke indicates the user's expectation of pixel label change to foreground or background, the location of the stroke indicates the user's region of interest, and the position of the stroke relative to a previous segmentation boundary indicates a segmentation error that the user intends to refine. Overexpansion of pixel label change is controlled by penalizing change outside the user's region of interest while overshrinkage is controlled by modeling the image as an eroded graph. In each iteration, energy consisting of a color term, a contrast term, and a user intention term is minimized to obtain a segmentation map.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for controlling power distribution during transitory power-up period of multi-domain electronic circuits that are supplied by multiple power supplies. The power distribution is controlled by self-regulating power control circuits that operate based on power-up sequencing requirements. Described embodiments of the invention illustrate examples of power-switch and power-switch controller circuits used as elements of the power control circuitry.