Abstract: The method uses a suspended resonating microcapillary device, and obtains simultaneously three parameters of the analytes: mass, size and refractive index, enabling the unequivocal classification of the analytes flowing in real time, based on the resonance frequency displacement and the change in reflectivity of the transparent microcapillary. The method comprises the stages of: the obtaining of a measurement of the reflectivity of the sample analytes within the capillary at each moment in time; the obtaining of a mechanical reference signal (Tt) of the change in resonance frequency of the microcapillary caused by the sample analytes over time; and the detection of the passage of the particle through an area of the capillary, and the obtaining of the points of passage of the ends of the analytes through the centre of the illuminated area, obtaining an optical signal ?T.

Abstract: An analysis system includes a reflective substrate; a hollow elongate structure with two ends; two polymer supports coupled to the ends and joined to the substrate; a piezoelectric device coupled to the substrate and designed to produce vibrations in the elongate structure; a laser for emitting a beam; a beam splitter; a photodetector; an amplification module; and a processor. The laser beam passes through the cavity and is absorbed by the photodetector, which generates a signal that is transmitted to the amplification module. The amplification module separates the signal into a modulated component and an unmodulated component. The signal is transmitted to the processor to obtain the resonance frequency and reflectance and to provide the piezoelectric device with an excitation signal at the resonance frequency.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method for identifying adsorbates deposited on resonance plates. The method includes (i) calculating a candidate mass and candidate position of the adsorbate, disregarding the effect of stiffness, from the measurement of the frequencies of the plate and prior knowledge of the mass of the plate; (ii) using the calculated values as a starting point for calculating the final values of the mass and position of the adsorbate and the different stiffness coefficients from the measurement of the frequencies of the plate; (iii) comparing the values of the candidate mass of the adsorbate and of the calculated coefficients with a set of previously stored reference values corresponding to a catalogue of known adsorbates; and (iv) identifying the adsorbate deposited on the plate as the adsorbate belonging to the catalogue that is most similar to the obtained values.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a system of mechanical resonance transduction for analyte analysis, suitable for its use in the identification of nanoparticles in the range between 1 MHz and 300 GHz, said method being characterized in that it comprises the following steps: a) disposing at least one analyte, possessing at least one mechanical vibration mode, on at least one mechanical resonator sensor that possesses at least one mechanical vibration mode, selectable in a plurality of working frequencies; b) monitoring the mechanical spectra of the of the analyte and the resonator sensor; c) varying the at least one mechanical vibration mode until at least one mechanical vibration mode reaches a strong coupling situation with the at least one mechanical vibration mode; d) collecting the frequency data at which the strong coupling occurs; e) estimating the resonance frequency and quality factor of the at least one mechanical vibration mode from the strong coupling frequency data obtained in step d).

Abstract: A method for obtaining the absorption position, mass and rigidity of a particle deposited on the surface of a resonator based on the relative change in the resonance frequency of said resonator in 3 or 4 flexural vibration modes. The rigidity of the particles is of great interest in the study of cells and other biological compounds that change state without significantly changing the mass.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system for biodetection applications comprising two basic elements, a substrate with a functionalized surface and a nanoparticle, the system being capable of enhancing the plasmonic effect of the nanoparticle. The invention also relates to a biosensor incorporating such system, in addition to the method for detecting and quantifying a target analyte selected in a sample using such system. Finally, the invention relates to a device which can detect the enhanced optoplasmonic effect of the nanoparticles by means of the system of the invention or by combining the detection of such optoplasmonic effect with the analysis of the changes in the mechanical characteristics in the substrate.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system for biodetection applications comprising two basic elements, a substrate with a functionalized surface and a nanoparticle, the system being capable of enhancing the plasmonic effect of the nanoparticle. The invention also relates to a biosensor incorporating such system, in addition to the method for detecting and quantifying a target analyte selected in a sample using such system. Finally, the invention relates to a device which can detect the enhanced optoplasmonic effect of the nanoparticles by means of the system of the invention or by combining the detection of such optoplasmonic effect with the analysis of the changes in the mechanical characteristics in the substrate.

Abstract: A method for obtaining the absorption position, mass and rigidity of a particle deposited on the surface of a resonator based on the relative change in the resonance frequency of said resonator in 3 or 4 flexural vibration modes. The rigidity of the particles is of great interest in the study of cells and other biological compounds that change state without significantly changing the mass.

Abstract: The invention relates to a spectrophotometer, especially a spectrophotometer that can carry out simultaneous analysis at different points on the same sample (4), with a high spatial resolution and without requiring a mechanical system for physical scanning along the sample. This is obtained by the provision of means for processing the light received by the photodetectors (5), said processing means having a correlation wherein each of the photodetectors (5) corresponds to a spatial point on the sample (4). In the case of dark field applications, the present invention ensures the standardization of the data using the same measure.

Abstract: The invention relates to a spectrophotometer, especially a spectrophotometer that can carry out simultaneous analysis at different points on the same sample (4), with a high spatial resolution and without requiring a mechanical system for physical scanning along the sample. This is obtained by the provision of means for processing the light received by the photodetectors (5), said processing means having a correlation wherein each of the photodetectors (5) corresponds to a spatial point on the sample (4). In the case of dark field applications, the present invention ensures the standardization of the data using the same measure.

Abstract: Method and system in optical microscopy based on the deflection of micro- and nanomechanical structures, upon impact of a laser beam thereon, which simultaneously and automatically provides a spatial map of the static deflection and of the form of various vibration modes, with vertical resolution in the subangstrom range. The invention comprises at least one mechanical structure, an incident laser beam sweeping the surface of the structure, an optometric detector for capturing the laser beam, and frequency excitation means that generate at least two sinusoidal signals at different frequencies in the mechanical structure.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system for biodetection applications comprising two basic elements, a substrate with a functionalized surface and a nanoparticle, the system being capable of enhancing the plasmonic effect of the nanoparticle. The invention also relates to a biosensor incorporating such system, in addition to the method for detecting and quantifying a target analyte selected in a sample using such system. Finally, the invention relates to a device which can detect the enhanced optoplasmonic effect of the nanoparticles by means of the system of the invention or by combining the detection of such optoplasmonic effect with the analysis of the changes in the mechanical characteristics in the substrate.

Abstract: Method and system in optical microscopy based on the deflection of micro- and nanomechanical structures, upon impact of a laser beam theron, which simultaneously and automatically provides a spatial map of the static deflection and of the form of various vibration modes, with vertical resolution in the subangstrom range. The invention comprises at least one mechanical structure, an incident laser beam sweeping the surface of the structure, an optometric detector for capturing the laser beam, and frequency excitation means that generate at least two sinusoidal signals at different frequencies in the mechanical structure.

Abstract: The present invention refers to a method for detecting molecules and/or substances within a sample based on the use of a microcantilever system. The method comprises the variation of a certain condition such as humidity so as the mechanical feature analyzed varies with a characteristic pattern while the target molecule is bound to the detector. The invention also refers to the system used to carry out such method.

Abstract: The system for surface inspection is arranged to detect relative displacement and/or vibration features of a plurality of points of a plurality of elements (51) forming part of a mechanical structure (5), such as a micro- or nanomechanical structure. A light beam is displaced along the mechanical structure along a first trajectory (A), so as to detect a plurality of subsequent reference positions (C) along said first trajectory (A), and the light beam is further displaced along the mechanical structure along a plurality of second trajectories (B), each of said second trajectories (B) being associated with one of said reference positions (C). The invention further relates to a corresponding method and to a program for carrying out the method.

Abstract: The present invention refers to a method for detecting molecules and/or substances within a sample based on the use of a microcantilever system. The method comprises the variation of a certain condition such as humidity so as the mechanical feature analysed varies with a characteristic pattern while the target molecule is bound to the detector. The invention also refers to the system used to carry out such method.

Abstract: The system for surface inspection is arranged to detect relative displacement and/or vibration features of a plurality of points of a plurality of elements (51) forming part of a mechanical structure (5), such as a micro- or nanomechanical structure. A light beam is displaced along the mechanical structure along a first trajectory (A), so as to detect a plurality of subsequent reference positions (C) along said first trajectory (A), and the light beam is further displaced along the mechanical structure along a plurality of second trajectories (B), each of said second trajectories (B) being associated with one of said reference positions (C). The invention further relates to a corresponding method and to a program for carrying out the method.

Abstract: A cantilever array for use as a sensor, e.g. a bio/chemical sensor is disclosed. The cantilever array comprises a platform and a multitude of polymer-based cantilevers attached to the platform. Each of the cantilevers is coupled to an optical sensing means adapted to sense deformations of an individual cantilever. The cantilevers may be coated with a first and/or a second layer, the first layer being a metal layer, such as a gold layer, the second layer being a molecular layer capable of functioning as a receptor layer for molecular recognition. Further, two methods of fabricating a cantilever array are disclosed, one being based on photolithography, the other being based on micromoulding.