Abstract: The invention relates to strong hydrogen-bond acidic sorbents. The sorbents may be provided in a form that limits or eliminates intramolecular bonding of the hydrogen-bond acidic site between neighboring sorbent molecules, for example, by providing steric groups adjacent to the hydrogen-bond acidic site. The hydrogen bond site may be a phenolic structure based on a bisphenol architecture. The sorbents of the invention may be used in methods for trapping or detecting hazardous chemicals or explosives.

Abstract: The invention relates to strong hydrogen-bond acidic sorbents. The sorbents may be provided in a form that limits or eliminates intramolecular bonding of the hydrogen-bond acidic site between neighboring sorbent molecules, for example, by providing steric groups adjacent to the hydrogen-bond acidic site. The hydrogen bond site may be a phenolic structure based on a bisphenol architecture. The sorbents of the invention may be used in methods for trapping or detecting hazardous chemicals or explosives.

Abstract: The invention relates to strong hydrogen-bond acidic sorbents. The sorbents may be provided in a form that limits or eliminates intramolecular bonding of the hydrogen-bond acidic site between neighboring sorbent molecules, for example, by providing steric groups adjacent to the hydrogen-bond acidic site. The hydrogen bond site may be a phenolic structure based on a bisphenol architecture. The sorbents of the invention may be used in methods for trapping or detecting hazardous chemicals or explosives.

Abstract: A photo-thermal speckle spectroscopy device having an infrared laser, a visible laser, a foam, and a camera. The infrared and visible lasers are focused on the foam, which causes the visible laser to scatter. A camera records the speckle pattern, which shifts when the IR laser is turned on. The related method of photo-thermal speckle spectroscopy is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method and system for rapid, label free nanoscale chemical imaging and tomography (3D) with multiplexing for speed, and engineered coherent illumination and detection to achieve 3-D resolution at twice the Abbe limit. A sample undergoes photo-thermal heating using a modulated infrared light source and the resulting probe beam modulation is measured with one or more visible laser probes. Varying the infrared wavelength results in a spectrum which characterizes the chemical composition of the sample. Optionally, inelastically scattered light generated as a result of the probe beam interacting with the sample is collected simultaneously to yield additional chemical information.

Abstract: A photo-thermal speckle spectroscopy device having an infrared laser, a visible laser, a foam, and a camera. The infrared and visible lasers are focused on the foam, which causes the visible laser to scatter. A camera records the speckle pattern, which shifts when the IR laser is turned on. The related method of photo-thermal speckle spectroscopy is also disclosed.

Abstract: Presented herein is a new concept of uniformly spin coating a flat surface with a stationary phase and creating a gas chromatography column by pressing a grooved lid, with micro-stamped ridges, down onto the coated substrate. The lids are molded out of commercially available rigid materials including epoxies so that when pressed onto a flat surface it will create an air tight seal. The epoxy material is rendered inert by a thin layer of gold.

Abstract: A speckle reduction instrument having a parabolic reflector and flat mirror to form a cavity-based unit. Laser light is collected and bounced around the cavity hitting a diffuser surface multiple times. The laser light that is highly coherent is converted into less-coherent but still bright light suitable for illumination in microscopes and other devices. Also disclosed is the related method for reducing speckle.

Abstract: This application relates generally to a method and apparatus to deposit particles onto one or more coupons, and harvest particles from one or more coupons, which may beneficially provide a more uniform or localized distribution of particles over a specified area on each coupon. The application relates to a method and apparatus for depositing particles onto one or more coupons using a sieve. The application also relates to a method and apparatus for depositing particles onto one or more coupons using a dust storm. The particle loadings achieved on each coupon or across an individual coupon may be substantially uniform. The application further relates to a laser-based method and apparatus for transferring particles deposited at localized points on a source coupon to a different substrate for further use.

Abstract: A method and system for rapid, label free nanoscale chemical imaging and tomography (3D) with multiplexing for speed, and engineered coherent illumination and detection to achieve 3-D resolution at twice the Abbe limit. A sample undergoes photo-thermal heating using a modulated infrared light source and the resulting probe beam modulation is measured with one or more visible laser probes. Varying the infrared wavelength results in a spectrum which characterizes the chemical composition of the sample. Optionally, inelastically scattered light generated as a result of the probe beam interacting with the sample is collected simultaneously to yield additional chemical information.

Abstract: This application relates generally to a method and apparatus to deposit particles onto one or more coupons, and harvest particles from one or more coupons, which may beneficially provide a more uniform or localized distribution of particles over a specified area on each coupon. The application relates to a method and apparatus for depositing particles onto one or more coupons using a sieve. The application also relates to a method and apparatus for depositing particles onto one or more coupons using a dust storm. The particle loadings achieved on each coupon or across an individual coupon may be substantially uniform. The application further relates to a laser-based method and apparatus for transferring particles deposited at localized points on a source coupon to a different substrate for further use.

Abstract: A chemical detector for rapid, simultaneous detection of multiple chemicals including chemical warfare agents, toxic industrial chemicals, and explosives having one or more gas chromatography columns each with a chemosorbent or a chemo-reactive stationary phase and an infrared-transparent base, a bright infrared light source, a mechanism to direct the light source to any point along any of the columns, and an infrared sensor. Another disclosed detector has one or more gas chromatography columns each on the surface of a substrate having at least one infrared-transparent waveguide pattern, a bright infrared light source, and at least one ring resonator for each column, where each ring resonator is coated with a chemosorbent or a chemo-reactive stationary phase, and where each ring resonator spectroscopically probes the stationary phase. Also disclosed are the related methods for chemical detection.

Abstract: The invention relates to strong hydrogen-bond acidic sorbents. The sorbents may be provided in a form that limits or eliminates intramolecular bonding of the hydrogen-bond acidic site between neighboring sorbent molecules, for example, by providing steric groups adjacent to the hydrogen-bond acidic site. The hydrogen bond site may be a phenolic structure based on a bisphenol architecture. The sorbents of the invention may be used in methods for trapping or detecting hazardous chemicals or explosives.

Abstract: A method of reducing laser speckle by reflecting an infrared laser off a rotating diffuser and coupling the diffused light into a multi-mode optical fiber. Also disclosed is a photo-thermal speckle spectroscopy device having an infrared laser, a visible laser, a foam, and a camera. The infrared and visible lasers are focused on the foam, which causes the visible laser to scatter. A camera records the speckle pattern, which shifts when the IR laser is turned on. The related method of photo-thermal speckle spectroscopy is also disclosed.

Abstract: A speckle reduction instrument having a parabolic reflector and flat mirror to form a cavity-based unit. Laser light is collected and bounced around the cavity hitting a diffuser surface multiple times. The laser light that is highly coherent is converted into less-coherent but still bright light suitable for illumination in microscopes and other devices. Also disclosed is the related method for reducing speckle.

Abstract: A system and method for detecting an analyte includes a waveguide configured to receive a narrow-band laser signal; and a sorbent material covering an analyte detection region of the waveguide, wherein the sorbent material is configured to sorb the analyte and bring the analyte to an evanescent field of the waveguide, and wherein Raman scattering is produced by an interaction of the evanescent field and the analyte sorbed in the sorbent material along the analyte detection region of the waveguide, and the waveguide is further configured to collect the Raman scattering along the analyte detection region of the waveguide, wherein the collected Raman scattering indicates a type of the analyte.

Abstract: A non-destructive method for chemical imaging with ˜1 nm to 10 ?m spatial resolution (depending on the type of heat source) without sample preparation and in a non-contact manner. In one embodiment, a sample undergoes photo-thermal heating using an IR laser and the resulting increase in thermal emissions is measured with either an IR detector or a laser probe having a visible laser reflected from the sample. In another embodiment, the infrared laser is replaced with a focused electron or ion source while the thermal emission is collected in the same manner as with the infrared heating. The achievable spatial resolution of this embodiment is in the 1-50 nm range.

Abstract: A non-destructive method for chemical imaging with ˜1 nm to 10 ?m spatial resolution (depending on the type of heat source) without sample preparation and in a non-contact manner. In one embodiment, a sample undergoes photo-thermal heating using an IR laser and the resulting increase in thermal emissions is measured with either an IR detector or a laser probe having a visible laser reflected from the sample. In another embodiment, the infrared laser is replaced with a focused electron or ion source while the thermal emission is collected in the same manner as with the infrared heating. The achievable spatial resolution of this embodiment is in the 1-50 nm range.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a composition having a plurality of particles of a filler material and crosslinking units having the formula —(SiR—CH2—CH2—CH2)—. The silicon atom in the crosslinking unit is directly or indirectly bound to the filler material. Each R is alkyl, alkenyl, phenyl, methyl, ethyl, allyl, halogen, chloro, or bromo. Also disclosed herein is a filler material having the silicon atom of a silacyclobutane group is directly or indirectly bound thereto. Also disclosed herein is a method of crosslinking silacyclobutane groups bound to a plurality of particles of a filler material. The silicon atom of the silacyclobutane group is directly or indirectly bound to the filler material. Also disclosed herein is a composition including a plurality of fibers of a polymer having reactive oxygen atoms and siloxane groups. Coordination bonds are formed between the oxygen atoms and the silicon atoms of the siloxane groups of separate fibers.

Abstract: A chemical detector for rapid, simultaneous detection of multiple chemicals including chemical warfare agents, toxic industrial chemicals, and explosives having one or more gas chromatography columns each with a chemosorbent or a chemo-reactive stationary phase and an infrared-transparent base, a bright infrared light source, a mechanism to direct the light source to any point along any of the columns, and an infrared sensor. Another disclosed detector has one or more gas chromatography columns each on the surface of a substrate having at least one infrared-transparent waveguide pattern, a bright infrared light source, and at least one ring resonator for each column, where each ring resonator is coated with a chemosorbent or a chemo-reactive stationary phase, and where each ring resonator spectroscopically probes the stationary phase. Also disclosed are the related methods for chemical detection.