Abstract: A device for emission of electromagnetic radiation comprises a source of atomic particles and a collector disposed to receive atomic particles from the source. The collector comprises an emission medium, the medium comprising a crystal having a spatial dimension in the range from about 10 nanometers to about 50 micrometers, wherein the emission medium has the capability to generate opposing charge pairs upon absorption of atomic particles from the source and to emit electromagnetic radiation upon recombination of the pairs. The emission may be via spontaneous emission or, in certain embodiments, by stimulated emission. A laser assembly comprising this device, and methods for making the device are also presented herein.

Abstract: Total analysis systems and methods for simultaneously monitoring a suite of biological and/or chemical species in water and/or other process systems are disclosed. The system provides a sample-volume controlled sensor array comprising a fluid delivery device and a plurality of optical sensor elements for determining the presence and total concentrations of multiple analytes in the process system simultaneously. Delivery means are provided to deliver a metered quantity of sample fluid to the sensor array. Image identification algorithms are provided for identifying the analytes based on image intensity, color pattern, positional arrangement, and the like. The methods incorporate multivariate optimization algorithms to analyze multiple sensor responses. This produces analytical results that are typically difficult to obtain without full system or variable compensation.

Abstract: A microfluidic channel is provided. The microfluidic channel includes a first substrate having at least one microfluidic channel pattern. Further, the microfluidic channel includes a porous material disposed on the first substrate and occupying the at least one microfluidic channel pattern.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include a wireless sensor, such as an RFID tag, that includes a substrate, an antenna disposed on the substrate, and an environmentally sensitive sensor material disposed over at least a portion of said substrate. Other embodiments an RFID tag and at least one antibody coupled to the RFID tag. The RFID tag includes a substrate, circuitry disposed on the substrate, and an antenna coupled to the substrate. The at least one antibody is capable of affecting the signals emanating from the RFID tag. Further embodiments include a detection system that includes a reader. Yet other embodiments include a method for detecting specific analytes. The method includes providing an RFID tag which emanates a first signal having a first frequency, and enabling the REID tag to emanate a second signal having a second frequency upon attraction of a specific analyte to the RFID tag.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include a wireless sensor, such as an RFID tag, that includes a substrate, an antenna disposed on the substrate, and an environmentally sensitive sensor material disposed over at least a portion of said substrate. Other embodiments an RFID tag and at least one antibody coupled to the RFID tag. The RFID tag includes a substrate, circuitry disposed on the substrate, and an antenna coupled to the substrate. The at least one antibody is capable of affecting the signals emanating from the RFID tag. Further embodiments include a detection system that includes a reader. Yet other embodiments include a method for detecting specific analytes. The method includes providing an RFID tag which emanates a first signal having a first frequency, and enabling the RFID tag to emanate a second signal having a second frequency upon attraction of a specific analyte to the RFID tag.

Abstract: Total analysis systems and methods for simultaneously monitoring a suite of biological and/or chemical species in water and/or other process systems are disclosed. The system provides a sample-volume controlled sensor array comprising a fluid delivery device and a plurality of optical sensor elements for determining the presence and total concentrations of multiple analytes in the process system simultaneously. Image identification algorithms are provided for identifying the analytes based on image intensity, color pattern, positional arrangement, and the like. The methods incorporate multivariate optimization algorithms to analyze multiple sensor responses. This produces analytical results that are typically difficult to obtain without full system or variable compensation. The improved array response may then be utilized to measure, monitor, and control the concentration of analytes in the chemical or biological sample or water system.

Abstract: A method of quantitatively measuring the concentration of a chemical species in a sample solution with a sensor film. A hydrogel sensor film is prepared having a chemical composition comprising an indicator that changes its optical property in the ultra-violet, visible or near-infrared spectral range upon being exposed to the chemical species in the sample solution. The film is exposed to a fixed amount of the sample solution. The concentration of the chemical species in the sample solution is quantified using the average absorbance measured from the sensor film.

Abstract: An apparatus includes an article and a detector. The article includes a substrate, a faceted structure disposed on the substrate, and a sensor layer disposed on the faceted structure. The faceted structure is disposed on the substrate first surface and itself has a surface. The faceted structure surface has peripheral edge defining a diameter of the faceted structure surface. The sensor layer is disposed on the faceted structure surface. The sensor layer can react or can interact with a target species when the target species is sufficiently proximate to the sensor layer. The sensor layer responds to the reaction or to the interaction in a detectable manner. The detector detects a response to the reaction, or to the interaction, of the target species with the sensor layer.

Abstract: A faceted structure is provided that includes a crystalline composition comprising a metal nitride. The metal comprises one or more of aluminum, boron, indium, or gallium. The crystalline composition has at least one exposed surface that is a grain boundary, an etched surface, or a naturally formed facet, and the surface has the same crystallographic orientation of a substrate on which the crystalline composition is grown. A sensor device is provided that includes a faceted structure. Associated methods of making and using the faceted structure in a sensor device are provided.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are randomly marked plastic materials and articles, and methods for their fabrication. In one embodiment, a randomly marked article can comprise: a random distribution of markings within a substrate, and machine readable data and/or a data layer capable of comprising machine readable data. The substrate was formed a first plastic and a second plastic, wherein the first plastic and the second plastic comprise a sufficient difference in a property to cause the random distribution. In one embodiment, a method for fabricating an article, comprises: combining a taggant with a first plastic to form a tagged plastic; molding the article from the tagged plastic and a second plastic, wherein the article comprises a random distribution of the taggant; and mapping taggant in the article to form a map.

Abstract: An authentication system may comprise: a first light source, a second light source, and at least three optically filtered light sensing devices. The first light source can have a first light source spectral distribution and can be capable of providing sufficient excitation to produce a photoluminescent emission from a medium comprising a luminescent tag and a color. The second light source can have a visible multi-wavelength spectral distribution and can be capable of providing sufficient visible multi-wavelength illumination of the medium to generate a second analog response. Each light sensing device can have a different device spectral sensitivity range.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of authenticating that a test polymer is an authenticatable polymer, wherein the authenticatable polymer has an authentication signal and comprises a substrate polymer and an optically variable tag, the optically variable tag having a fluorescence emission whose wavelength and/or intensity change over time, the method comprising subjecting the test polymer to a stimulus sufficient to cause fluorescence of the optically variable tag, determining a test signal from the fluorescence of the test polymer, and authenticating that the test polymer is an authenticatable polymer if the test signal is the same as the authentication signal of the authenticatable polymer.

Abstract: A microfluidic system and method for its fabrication is disclosed comprising an interposed intermediate layer covering the channel-containing layers, said intermediate layers comprising an integral valve made from the intermediate layer material. A microfluidic system and method is also disclosed for actively pumping a fluid through an integrated layered device incorporating the above-mentioned channels, valves in communication with a chamber, the volume of which can be predictably controlled by interaction between a magnetizable assembly placed on pre-selected sides of the chamber.

Abstract: A system that includes a device is provided in which the device includes a piezoelectric substrate; a sensor layer disposed on the substrate and operable to interact with, or react with, a target species; a first and a second electrode that are spaced from each other and in communication with the substrate; a first detector operable to detect the interaction or the reaction of the sensor layer with the target species based on a change in an optical characteristic of electromagnetic radiation propagated through the substrate; and a second detector operable to acoustically detect the interaction or the reaction of the sensor layer with the target species. Associated methods are provided.

Abstract: A device that includes a piezoelectric substrate is provided. The device may include a sensor layer disposed on the substrate and operable to interact with, or react with, a target species; a first and a second electrode, that are spaced from each other and in communication with the substrate; a first detector operable to detect the interaction or the reaction of the sensor layer with the target species based on a change in an optical characteristic of electromagnetic radiation propagated through the substrate; and a second detector operable to acoustically detect the interaction or the reaction of the sensor layer with the target species. Associated methods are provided.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method for authenticating that a test polymer is an authenticatable polymer is disclosed wherein the authenticatable polymer comprises a substrate polymer and a thermochromic compound, the thermochromic compound having a first signal at a first temperature and at an authenticating wavelength, and a second signal at an authenticating temperature and the authenticating wavelength, the first and second signals being different, and the authenticating temperature being greater than the first temperature, the method comprising subjecting the test polymer to a stimulus sufficient to raise a portion of the test polymer to the authenticating temperature to create a heated portion, determining a test signal of the heated portion of the test polymer at the authenticating wavelength, and authenticating that the test polymer is an authenticatable polymer if the test signal is the same as an authenticating signal of the authenticatable polymer.

Abstract: A method for making a microfluidic device comprises providing a processing substrate, forming a negative stamp on the processing substrate using a direct write process, disposing a coating material on the processing substrate, curing the coating material to produce a cured coating material, and separating the processing substrate and the negative stamp from the cured coating material, wherein a plurality of channels are formed in the cured coating material corresponding to a location of the negative stamp.

Abstract: One method for playing a disk, comprises illuminating a first portion of the optical article with a first laser to obtain a first optical signal, wherein the first laser has a first wavelength, illuminating a second portion with a second laser to obtain a second optical signal, wherein the second laser has a second wavelength that is different from the first wavelength, and determining if the optical article is authentic by comparing the first optical signal and the second optical signal.

Abstract: A storage medium can comprise a substrate, a reflective layer disposed on a side of the substrate, and data. The substrate can comprise a thermoplastic and a light-mark formed from at least a portion of light-marking additive mixed with the thermoplastic, wherein an optical property of the light-marking additive at an optical drive read wavelength can change due to being contacted with a mark wavelength. A method for using a storage medium can comprise directing a reading device to detect an inspection area of the storage medium, and wherein the inspection area on an authentic medium has a light-mark in a substrate of the storage medium that forms an optically induced signature. The optically induced signature can be converted to a digital identification signature and the digital identification signature can be verified for authenticity.

Abstract: A method of marking a thermoplastic article can comprise: combining a thermoplastic with a light-marking additive to form a composition, forming the composition into an article having a maximum optical absorption wavelength; and illuminating, at a marking wavelength, at least a portion of the article with a device having a power of less than or equal to about 200 mW, to form a light-mark. The light-mark can have a size, as measured along a major axis, of greater than or equal to about 10 micrometers. The light-mark can also have a mark absorption wavelength that is greater than or equal to about ±100 nm of the maximum optical absorption wavelength, and can have a spectral absorption curve.