Abstract: An oscillation apparatus comprising: a frame; a first proof mass coupled to the frame via a spring; a driving circuit operatively coupled to the first proof mass and the frame, wherein the driving circuit is configured to induce oscillatory motion of the first proof mass relative to the frame at a resonant frequency in a first direction; a first electron-tunneling position switch operatively coupled to the first proof mass such that the first position switch is configured to pass through a closed state during each oscillation of the proof mass, wherein the position switch comprises first and second single-atom-thick tunneling electrodes; and a sensing circuit coupled to the position switch, the sensing circuit configured to output a signal whenever the position switch passes through the closed state.

Abstract: A method for adjusting the accuracy of a time-domain inertial sensor comprising the following steps: operatively positioning a harmonic oscillator of the time-domain inertial sensor between two capacitive plates; initiating harmonic oscillation of the oscillator in a first plane by creating with the capacitive plates a capacitively forced pulse; monitoring the harmonic oscillation of the oscillator; and electrostatically biasing both of the two capacitive plates such that a spring constant of the oscillator is effectively altered.

Abstract: A resonator comprising: a frame; a first oscillator configured to oscillate with respect to the frame; a first driver configured to drive the first oscillator at the first oscillator's resonant frequency; a first half of a first relative position switch mounted to the first oscillator; a second oscillator having substantially the same resonant frequency as the first oscillator, wherein the first and second oscillators are designed to respond in substantially the same manner to external perturbations to the frame; a second half of the first relative position switch mounted to the second oscillator; and wherein as the first oscillator oscillates there is relative motion between the first and second oscillators such that the first relative position switch passes through a closed state in each oscillation when the first and second switch halves pass by each other.

Abstract: An oscillatory apparatus and methods of utilizing the same. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises a force sensor having a proof mass, with one or more sensing electron tunneling electrodes disposed thereon, and a frame comprising one or more reference electron tunneling electrodes. Conductive plates disposed on the sensor base and capping wafers induce oscillations of the proof mass. The sensing and the reference electrode pairs are disposed in a face-to-face configuration, thus forming a digital switch characterized by one or more closed states. In the closed state, the switch generates triggering events, thereby enabling the sensing apparatus to generate a digital output indicative of the mass position. The time period between consecutive trigger events is used to obtain mass deflection due to external forcing. Time separation between the triggering events is based on the physical dimensions established during fabrication, thus not requiring ongoing sensor calibration.

Abstract: A method for electrode-based patterning of thin film, self-assembled nanoparticles. The method uses a variety of types of thin films and electrodes.

Abstract: Methods for the transport and hybridization of a nucleic acid on an electrode device by providing a low conductivity buffer with a reducing agent to the device. The low conductivity buffer may also contain a zwitterion. A current and voltage is applied to a location of the device to effect electrophoretic transportation of the nucleic acid towards the location. The nucleic acid is then hybridized to a nucleic probed located at the location. The reducing agent in the low conductivity buffer may also be acting as a chaotropic agent.

Abstract: Systems and methods for the electronic sample preparation of biological materials utilize the differential charge-to-mass ratio and/or the differential affinity of sample constituents to separation materials for sample preparation. An integrated system is provided for performing some or all of the processes of: receipt of biological materials, cell selection, sample purification, sample concentration, buffer exchange, complexity reduction and/or diagnosis and analysis. In one embodiment, one or more sample chambers adapted to receive a buffer solution are formed adjacent to a spacer region which may include a trap or other affinity material, electrophoretic motion of the materials to be prepared being effected through operation of electrodes. In another aspect of this invention, a transporter or dipstick serves to collect and permit transport of materials, such as nucleic acids, most preferably DNA and/or RNA.

Abstract: An electronic device for performing active biological operations includes an optically confining region including a support substrate having a via and a chip disposed in a facing arrangement with the support substrate, the chip including an array of electrodes disposed thereon. An optically accessible top member is disposed in a facing arrangement with the support substrate opposite the chip. The device further includes a source of illumination and an edge illumination layer having an input adapted to receive illumination from the source, and a terminal edge that outputs the illumination, the edge illumination layer being disposed adjacent to the support substrate. Illumination from the terminal edge of the illumination layer is directed into the optically confining region.

Abstract: An electronic device for performing biological operations includes a support substrate and an array of microlocations disposed on the substrate. The array of microlocations include electronically addressable electrodes. A first collection electrode is disposed on the substrate and adjacent to a first side of the array of microlocations. A second collection electrode is disposed on the substrate and adjacent to a second side of the array of microlocations, the second side of the array being opposite of the first side such that the array of microlocations is disposed between the first and second collection electrodes. A flow cell is supported on the substrate. Preferably, the combined area of the collection electrodes is a substantial fraction, preferably at least 50% of the area of the footprint of the flow cell.

Abstract: An electronic device performs active biological operations such as, for example, the analysis of a solution containing charged biological materials. The device can take the form of a flow cell that includes an inlet chamber and an outlet chamber connected to a flow cell chamber. An array containing a plurality of electrodes is contained within the flow cell chamber. Inlet and outlet ports are provided in the inlet chamber and outlet chamber, respectively. The inlet and outlet chambers advantageously have substantially constant cross-sectional flow areas.

Abstract: Methods of manufacture and devices for performing active biological operations utilize various structures to advantageously collect and provide charged biological materials to an array of microlocations. In one embodiment, a device includes focusing electrodes to aid in the direction and transport of materials from a collection electrode to an array. Preferably, one or more intermediate transportation electrodes are utilized, most preferably of monotonically decreasing size between the collection electrode and the array, so as to reduce current density mismatches. In another aspect, a flow cell is utilized over devices to provide containment of solution containing materials to be analyzed. Preferably, the volume of the flow cell is more advantageously interrogated through use of relatively large collection and return electrodes, such as where the area of those electrodes relative to the footprint of the flowcell is at least 40%.

Abstract: An electronic device for performing active biological operations includes a support substrate, a second substrate, a source of illumination, and an edge illumination layer. The support substrate includes first and second surfaces and a via between the first and second surfaces to permit fluid flow through the substrate. The second substrate includes a first surface that is adapted to be disposed in facing arrangement with the second surface of the first substrate. The second substrate includes an array of microlocations wherein the array is adapted to receive the fluid. A sealant is disposed between the second face of the support substrate and the first face of the second substrate. The device includes a source of illumination and an edge illumination layer having an input adapted to receive the illumination from the source, and an output adapted to direct the illumination to the array. The edge illumination layer is disposed adjacent to and between the support substrate and the second substrate.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a multicomponent flip-chip device is disclosed. The device includes a chip disposed adjacent to a substrate, the substrate including a via therethrough. The device is adapted to receive a fluid to be placed on the substrate, wherein the fluid then flows through the via down to the chip. The chip includes a sealant free region and a sealant receiving region. The method includes the steps of placing a chip adjacent to a substrate. Light is exposed to the substrate and through the via, down onto the surface of the chip. A light-curable, wickable sealant is applied to the interface between the substrate and the chip, wherein the light at least partially cures the sealant to preclude the sealant from flowing to the sealant free region. Additional curing of sealant may also be performed.

Abstract: Methods of manufacture and devices for performing active biological operations utilize various structures to advantageously collect and provide charged biological materials to an array of microlocations. In one embodiment, a device includes focusing electrodes to aid in the direction and transport of materials from a collection electrode to an array. Preferably, one or more intermediate transportation electrodes are utilized, most preferably of monotonically decreasing size between the collection electrode and the array, so as to reduce current density mismatches. In another aspect, a flow cell is utilized over devices to provide containment of solution containing materials to be analyzed. Preferably, the volume of the flow cell is more advantageously interrogated through use of relatively large collection and return electrodes, such as where the area of those electrodes relative to the footprint of the flowcell is at least 40%.

Abstract: Systems and methods for the electronic sample preparation of biological materials utilize the differential charge-to-mass ratio and/or the differential affinity of sample constituents to separation materials for sample preparation. An integrated system is provided for performing some or all of the processes of: receipt of biological materials, cell selection, sample purification, sample concentration, buffer exchange, complexity reduction and/or diagnosis and analysis. In one embodiment, one or more sample chambers adapted to receive a buffer solution are formed adjacent to a spacer region which may include a trap or other affinity material, electrophoretic motion of the materials to be prepared being effected through operation of electrodes. In another aspect of this invention, a transporter or dipstick serves to collect and permit transport of materials, such as nucleic acids, most preferably DNA and/or RNA.

Abstract: Methods of manufacture and devices for performing active biological operations utilize various structures to advantageously collect and provide charged biological materials to an array of microlocations. In one embodiment, a device includes focusing electrodes to aid in the direction and transport of materials from a collection electrode to an array. Preferably, one or more intermediate transportation electrodes are utilized, most preferably of monotonically decreasing size between the collection electrode and the array, so as to reduce current density mismatches. In another aspect, a flow cell is utilized over devices to provide containment of solution containing materials to be analyzed. Preferably, the volume of the flow cell is more advantageously interrogated through use of relatively large collection and return electrodes, such as where the area of those electrodes relative to the footprint of the flowcell is at least 40%.

Abstract: Methods of manufacture and devices for performing active biological operations utilize various structures to advantageously collect and provide charged biological materials to an array of microlocations. In one embodiment, a device includes focusing electrodes to aid in the direction and transport of materials from a collection electrode to an array. Preferably, one or more intermediate transportation electrodes are utilized, most preferably of monotonically decreasing size between the collection electrode and the array, so as to reduce current density mismatches. In another aspect, a flow cell is utilized over devices to provide containment of solution containing materials to be analyzed. Preferably, the volume of the flow cell is more advantageously interrogated through use of relatively large collection and return electrodes, such as where the area of those electrodes relative to the footprint of the flowcell is at least 40%.

Abstract: The Vertical-cavity-surface-emitting Lasers with Optical Gain Control (V-LOGIC) form a family of integrated optical smart pixels for interconnect and signal processing applications. V-LOGIC devices consist of Vertical Cavity Surface Emitting Lasers (VCSELs) and In-Plane Lasers. (IPL) with cross-coupled cavities. The devices can operate in a digital, an analog or a hybrid mode. The IPLs either fully quench or modulate the VCSEL depending on whether the device is used in the digital or analog mode. In the Hybrid mode, one IPL serves as an enable input while another one modulates the VCSEL. The V-LOGIC devices can operate significantly faster than modulated lasers since, for the quenching phenomena, (1) the VCSEL carrier population is essentially constant and (2) the quenching is all-optical and does not require intermediate drive electronics. The family of devices solve the leading outstanding problems in optical switching and interconnect technologies.

Abstract: Configurable Optical Gates (COGs) are used to transmit and receive optical signals similar to an interconnect device as well as perform a logic function on those signals (they are smart pixels). COGs consist of a laser with an intracavity modulator, an integrated current source and one or more integrated photodetectors to drive the modulators. The devices are monolithically integrated on MultiQuantum Well (MQW) heterostructure. Certain logic functions require that the bottom N- contact which is under individual devices be accessible and electrically isolated from neighboring devices. For this reason, the laser heterostructure is grown on a semi-insulating substrate. Each COG has a built-in light baffle that prevents the laser emission from coupling into the photodetectors. The optical detection of the COG can be disabled during fabrication and the device can be directly modulated by conventional electronics.

Abstract: Optical laser amplifier devices are formed integrally with spontaneous emission filters. The filtering function is accomplished by a laser amplifier whose output is employed to quench the signal generated by a laser. The quenching of the laser is performed in direct proportion to the stimulated emission component of the laser amplifier output signal. Since the stimulated emission component represents the output signal minus any spontaneous emission noise, the output signal generated by the laser is an amplified, inverted version of the input signal without the noise components. In the preferred embodiments, optical waveguides are employed to form the laser amplifier and the laser is either a horizontal cavity edge emitting laser or a vertical cavity surface emitting laser (VCSEL).