Abstract: This innovation relates to an integrated multi-band continuous optical filter operating with the mechanical deformation of the guiding waveguides in a controlled manner with a micro-electromechanical device. Notably, the direction of light traveling in multi-channel waveguides changes with the applied mechanical force, causing a shift in the wavelengths reflected back from a concave diffraction grating towards the same channels. The center wavelength of each channel, the filter pass band and the total tuning range of the multi-band filter can be tuned. The presented on-chip reconfigurable optical filter has a wealth of applications in microwave photonics for multi-band communications and multiple optical signal processing for programmable optical networks, such as Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexing (DWDM), tunable laser sources, and switches. Furthermore, this innovation could have potential applications in other fields like measurements, particularly in the manufacture of frequency combs.

Abstract: Current additive manufacturing (AM) technologies are limited to generating pixels which are significantly larger than the spot size of the energy source (ES) employed to generate the pixels. Accordingly, the minimum dimensions of parts, the complexity of the parts, their surface finish etc. are limited by the dimensions of these pixels. Accordingly, the invention provides manufacturers and designers with access to AM processes which results in pixels which can be: generated individually with dimensions smaller than those currently achieved; generated concurrently on a plane; or generated concurrently in a volume. Further, inventive AM processes described offer faster processing speeds than current prior art AM processes. Additionally, the inventive AM processes support manufacturing of specific materials/parts with a single monolithic part comprising multiple regions with different porosity, pore dimensions or connected/unconnected pore structure.

Abstract: Unlike the microbial fuel cells (MFC) that always needs the carbon stock for its operation photosynthetic cells (?PSC) do not need any organic fuel. Moreover, the ?PSC generate electricity in both light and dark conditions. To date most of the ?PSC were being fabricated using microfabrication technology which is expensive and tedious and requires clean room fabrication facilities. The current proposed fabrication method generates (harvests) energy relatively higher than the other fabrication processes. Moreover, this fabrication method is beneficial over previous methods in terms of simple and cost effective and inexpensiveness. This invention proposes the fabrication of the micro photosynthetic power cell with gold sputtered micro metal arrayed grid-foils followed by bonding to the proton exchange membrane with no space between the electrodes and the proton exchange membrane. In addition to the several advantageous all the materials utilized for the fabrications are completely biodegradable.

Abstract: There are provided methods for quantifying an analyte in a sample, diagnosing a condition characterized by an excess or a depletion of an analyte in a biological sample, isolating analyte from a sample, and detecting an analyte in a sample. These method comprise the steps of providing a colloidal suspension of nanoparticles of a plasmonic metal, the nanoparticles having attached on their surface a binding moiety for selective attachment of said analyte and adding the sample to the suspension, thus producing a mixture in which said analyte is attached to the nanoparticles in suspension. Then, the methods further comprise the steps of either allowing sedimentation of the nanoparticles with bound analyte, thereby producing a sediment comprising the nanoparticles with bound analyte and a supernatant, and measuring the Localized Surface Plasmon Resonance (LSPR) spectrum of the supernatant and/or recovering the sediment, or measuring the Localized Surface Plasmon Resonance (LSPR) spectrum of the mixture.

Abstract: Wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) has enabled telecommunication service providers to fully exploit the transmission capacity of optical fibers. State of the art systems in long-haul networks now have aggregated capacities of terabits per second. Moreover, by providing multiple independent multi-gigabit channels, WDM technologies offer service providers with a straight forward way to build networks and expand networks to support multiple clients with different requirements. In order to reduce costs, enhance network flexibility, reduce spares, and provide re-configurability many service providers have migrated away from fixed wavelength transmitters, receivers, and transceivers, to wavelength tunable transmitters, receivers, and transceivers as well as wavelength dependent add-drop multiplexer, space switches etc.

Abstract: Microfluidic devices in applications such as biological and chemical sensing provide high sensitivity and exploit minute amounts of samples and reagents in solutions that are low cost, compact, portable and easily distributed to end-users, etc. Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) is a common material for the mechanical structure of the body, micro-channels etc. However, its inert nature and biocompatibility mean that active functionality must be added after the formation of the microfluidic structures and structural elements. It would be beneficial to provide designers of microfluidic devices with the ability to implement active elements for the detection of one or more components within a fluid or arising within a fluid from a reaction upstream using a composite comprising a mechanical component, such as the PDMS, with the active material for the active element of the microfluidic device embedded with the PDMS as a composite.

Abstract: Wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) has enabled telecommunication service providers to fully exploit the transmission capacity of optical fibers. State of the art systems in long-haul networks now have aggregated capacities of terabits per second. Moreover, by providing multiple independent multi-gigabit channels, WDM technologies offer service providers with a straight forward way to build networks and expand networks to support multiple clients with different requirements. In order to reduce costs, enhance network flexibility, reduce spares, and provide re-configurability many service providers have migrated away from fixed wavelength transmitters, receivers, and transceivers, to wavelength tunable transmitters, receivers, and transceivers as well as wavelength dependent add-drop multiplexer, space switches etc.

Abstract: Wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) has enabled telecommunication service providers to fully exploit the transmission capacity of optical fibers. State of the art systems in long-haul networks now have aggregated capacities of terabits per second. Moreover, by providing multiple independent multi-gigabit channels, WDM technologies offer service providers with a straight forward way to build networks and expand networks to support multiple clients with different requirements. In order to reduce costs, enhance network flexibility, reduce spares, and provide re-configurability many service providers have migrated away from fixed wavelength transmitters, receivers, and transceivers, to wavelength tunable transmitters, receivers, and transceivers as well as wavelength dependent add-drop multiplexer, space switches etc.

Abstract: A power cell and a method for fabricating a power cell including two body portions and a proton exchange membrane (PEM) there between. The body portions each include a reaction chamber for holding an anolyte solution including a photosynthetic organism or a catholyte solution. At least one body portion has an optically transparent window to allow light into the reaction chamber enabling a photosynthetic reaction. A thin metal layer is coated directly on each of first and second surfaces of the PEM and then the two body portions are coupled together with the PEM located there between. Coating the first thin metal layer on the surfaces of the PEM involves coating a thin gold layer onto the surface, covering the gold layer with a layer of photoresist, patterning the photoresist layer through a mask, exposing the photoresist layer to ultraviolet radiation, and removing the unexposed photoresist.

Abstract: Wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) has enabled telecommunication service providers to fully exploit the transmission capacity of optical fibers. State of the art systems in long-haul networks now have aggregated capacities of terabits per second. Moreover, by providing multiple independent multi-gigabit channels, WDM technologies offer service providers with a straight forward way to build networks and expand networks to support multiple clients with different requirements. In order to reduce costs, enhance network flexibility, reduce spares, and provide re-configurability many service providers have migrated away from fixed wavelength transmitters, receivers, and transceivers, to wavelength tunable transmitters, receivers, and transceivers as well as wavelength dependent add-drop multiplexer, space switches etc.

Abstract: Additive manufacturing (AM) exploits materials added layer by layer to form consecutive cross sections of desired shape. However, prior art AM suffers drawbacks in employable materials and final piece-part quality. Embodiments of the invention introduce two new classes of methods, solidification and trapping, to create complex and functional structures of macro/micro and nano sizes using configurable fields irrespective of whether they need a medium or not for transmission. Selective Spatial Solidification forms the piece-part directly within the selected build material whilst Selective Spatial Trapping injects the build material into the chamber and selectively directs it to accretion points in a continuous manner. In each a localized spatiotemporal concentrated field is established by configuring or maneuvering field emitters. These methods are suitable to create any 3D part with high mechanical properties and complex geometries.

Abstract: In order to implement a microfluidics sensor having higher efficiency, Applicants have developed a method of formation of nano-structures having various shapes and sizes onto materials such as polymers, glass and silicon, which are compatible with the microfabrication processes. The adhesion of the nano-structures and feasibility to tune their properties (optical, electrical and mechanical) are two prime concerns when they are adopted for microfluidics devices.

Abstract: Wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) has enabled telecommunication service providers to fully exploit the transmission capacity of optical fibers. State of the art systems in long-haul networks now have aggregated capacities of terabits per second. Moreover, by providing multiple independent multi-gigabit channels, WDM technologies offer service providers with a straight forward way to build networks and expand networks to support multiple clients with different requirements. In order to reduce costs, enhance network flexibility, reduce spares, and provide re-configurability many service providers have migrated away from fixed wavelength transmitters, receivers, and transceivers, to wavelength tunable transmitters, receivers, and transceivers as well as wavelength dependent add-drop multiplexer, space switches etc.

Abstract: Wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) has enabled telecommunication service providers to fully exploit the transmission capacity of optical fibers. State of the art systems in long-haul networks now have aggregated capacities of terabits per second. Moreover, by providing multiple independent multi-gigabit channels, WDM technologies offer service providers with a straight forward way to build networks and expand networks to support multiple clients with different requirements. In order to reduce costs, enhance network flexibility, reduce spares, and provide re-configurability many service providers have migrated away from fixed wavelength transmitters, receivers, and transceivers, to wavelength tunable transmitters, receivers, and transceivers as well as wavelength dependent add-drop multiplexer, space switches etc.

Abstract: A sensing element for sensing a mechanical property of a sample defining a sample surface using a contact force exerted the sample surface. The sensing element includes: a deformable element defining a contact surface and a deformable section in register with the contact surface, the deformable section being deformable between an undeformed configuration and a deformed configuration; a deformation sensor operatively coupled to the deformable section for sensing and quantifying a deformation of the deformable section between the deformed and undeformed configurations, the deformation sensor being an optical deformation sensor; and a force sensor operatively coupled to the deformable element for sensing the contact force exerted on the contact surface.

Abstract: A sensing element for sensing a mechanical property of a sample defining a sample surface using a contact force exerted the sample surface. The sensing element includes: a deformable element defining a contact surface and a deformable section in register with the contact surface, the deformable section being deformable between an undeformed configuration and a deformed configuration; a deformation sensor operatively coupled to the deformable section for sensing and quantifying a deformation of the deformable section between the deformed and undeformed configurations, the deformation sensor being an optical deformation sensor; and a force sensor operatively coupled to the deformable element for sensing the contact force exerted on the contact surface.

Abstract: In order to implement a microfluidics sensor having higher efficiency, Applicants have developed a method of formation of nano-structures having various shapes and sizes onto materials such as polymers, glass and silicon, which are compatible with the microfabrication processes. The adhesion of the nano-structures and feasibility to tune their properties (optical, electrical and mechanical) are two prime concerns when they are adopted for microfluidics devices.

Abstract: A concave diffraction grating for integrated optics is constructed by replacing the reflective metallic part by either multiple thin elements of metal or multiple elements of dielectric material, each partially reflecting the light, and arranged on elliptical fashion in order to distribute the diffraction/reflection of light and provide aberration-free focusing, by combining diffraction condition and Bragg condition of these curved reflectors.

Abstract: The present application is directed to a technological platform with integrated microfluidic and optical modules for bio-detection. The platform enables in-situ detection by integrating fluidics with optical source and detection capabilities within a fabricated microchip. The platform is a polymer-based microfluidic chip having integrated excitation source and detection elements in a vicinity of a microfluidic reaction chamber configured to contain a micro-volume of a test sample. The principle of detection is based on an excitation source induced fluorescence of the test sample within the microfluidic reaction chamber.

Abstract: A device, a method of fabricating the device and a sample analysis system that includes the device are provided. The device includes an optical waveguide having a plurality of nanofeatures integrated thereon to influence at least one of evanescence and coupling of an optical field of the optical waveguide. The sample analysis system includes a fluidic actuation system for introducing sample specimen fluid into a microfluidic channel of the device for evanescence based detection.