Abstract: The present invention relates to a convertor for converting alternating movement to unidirectional movement, the convertor comprising an actuator for generating the alternating movement, the actuator being disposed to exert compressive and tensile forces on first and second members, the first said member having a positive Poisson's ratio and the second said member having a negative Poisson's ratio, and the first and second members being adapted for differential frictional engagement with a structure.

Abstract: Methods and systems for the fabrication and application of Magnetically Actuated Propellers (MAPs) are described. MAPs are structures with typical feature sizes in the range of 20 nanometers up to 100 microns in one spatial dimension. MAPs are propellers that can be obtained from nano-structured surfaces and that can be produced in large numbers. MAPs are propelled and controlled by magnetic fields. The MAPs are optimized for low Reynolds number propulsion and can be moved in fluids and biological tissues. MAPs are useful for measurements, quantification, imaging and sensing purposes e.g. detecting biomolecules and for the controlled transportation of (drug- and bio-) molecules and the delivery of microscopic and nanoscale objects and/or materials or systems of therapeutic value. The MAPs are formed on a substrate and the released from the substrate using sonication, vibration, agitation, dissolution or etching which allows the MAPs to be produced in large numbers.

Abstract: This invention describes methods and systems for the fabrication and application of Magnetically Actuated Propellers (MAPs). MAPs are structures with typical feature sizes in the range of 20 nanometers up to 100 microns in one spatial dimension. MAPs are propellers that can be obtained from nano-structured surfaces and that can be produced in large numbers. MAPs are propelled and controlled by magnetic fields. The biomedical, surgical, therapeutic, diagnostic, and rheological applications of the fabricated MAPs are also disclosed. The MAPs described in this patent are optimized for low Reynolds number propulsion and can be moved in fluids and biological tissues. MAPs are useful for measurements, quantification, imaging and sensing purposes e.g. detecting biomolecules and for the controlled transportation of (drug- and bio-) molecules and the delivery of microscopic and nanoscale objects and/or materials or systems of therapeutic value.

Abstract: A system and method for detection and measurement of circular birefringences in materials that exhibit the Faraday effect. The method and apparatus permit detection of optical activities via the difference in the directions of propagation the left- and the right-circularly polarized light (components). A beam of light is directed at an interface formed by the optically active medium and another medium such that a difference in the angles of refraction and/or reflection and/or diffraction between the left- and the right-circularly polarized components of the light beam can be detected. The difference in the propagation directions between the two circularly polarized light components is measured on a position sensitive detector and/or is detected as an intensity difference.

Abstract: A system and method for detection and measurement of circular birefringences in materials, such as optically active (chiral) liquids and materials that exhibit the Faraday effect. The method and apparatus permit the detection of optical activities via the difference in the directions of propagation the left- and the right-circularly polarized light (components). A beam of light is directed at an interface formed by the optically active medium and another medium such that a difference in the angles of refraction and/or reflection and/or diffraction between the left- and the right-circularly polarized components of the light beam can be detected. The difference in the propagation directions between the two circularly polarized light components is measured on a position sensitive detector and/or is detected as an intensity difference.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for performing refractive index, birefringence and optical activity measurements of a material such as a solid, liquid, gas or thin film. The apparatus has an optical ring-resonator with a closed optical path that constitutes a cavity. A sample is introduced into the optical path of the resonator such that the light in the resonator is transmitted through the sample and relative and/or absolute shifts of the resonance frequencies or changes of the characteristics of the transmission spectrum are observed. A change in the transfer characteristics of the resonant ring, such as a shift of the resonance frequency, is related to a sample's refractive index (refractive indices) and/or change thereof. A reflecting surface may be introduced in a ring resonator. The reflecting surface can be raster-scanned for the purpose of height-profiling surface features.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for performing refractive index, birefringence and optical activity measurements of a material such as a solid, liquid, gas or thin film is disclosed. The method and apparatus can also be used to measure the properties of a reflecting surface. The disclosed apparatus has an optical ring-resonator in the form of a fiber-loop resonator, or a race-track resonator, or any waveguide-ring or other structure with a closed optical path that constitutes a cavity. A sample is introduced into the optical path of the resonator such that the light in the resonator is transmitted through the sample and relative and/or absolute shifts of the resonance frequencies or changes of the characteristics of the transmission spectrum are observed. A change in the transfer characteristics of the resonant ring, such as a shift of the resonance frequency, is related to a sample's refractive index (refractive indices) and/or change thereof.