Abstract: The invention relates to silk electronic components and methods for fabricating the same. The silk electronic components can be used as novel devices, such as implantable bioelectric and/or biophotonic devices, biosensors, surveillance devices, invisible cloaks, electromagnetic concentrators or antennas.

Abstract: A method of analyzing physical properties of a sample includes obtaining the sample and obtaining an electromagnetic spectrum of the sample using terahertz spectroscopy. A sample complex permittivity is computed from the electromagnetic spectrum of the sample. The method further includes estimating the constituents and the constituent fractions and computing an estimated effective complex permittivity based upon a model and the constituent fractions. The method further includes comparing the computed sample complex permittivity with the estimated effective complex permittivity in order to determine the physical properties the sample.

Abstract: A method of analyzing physical properties of a sample includes obtaining the sample and obtaining an electromagnetic spectrum of the sample using terahertz spectroscopy. A sample complex permittivity is computed from the electromagnetic spectrum of the sample. The method further includes estimating the constituents and the constituent fractions and computing an estimated effective complex permittivity based upon a model and the constituent fractions. The method further includes comparing the computed sample complex permittivity with the estimated effective complex permittivity in order to determine the physical properties the sample.

Abstract: A geometrically modifiable resonator is comprised of a resonator disposed on a substrate, and a means for geometrically modifying the resonator. The geometrically modifiable resonator can achieve active optical and/or electronic control of the frequency response in metamaterials and/or frequency selective surfaces, potentially with sub-picosecond response times. Additionally, the methods taught here can be applied to discrete geometrically modifiable circuit components such as inductors and capacitors. Principally, controlled conductivity regions, using either reversible photodoping or voltage induced depletion activation, are used to modify the geometries of circuit components, thus allowing frequency tuning of resonators without otherwise affecting the bulk substrate electrical properties. The concept is valid over any frequency range in which metamaterials are designed to operate.

Abstract: The invention relates to silk electronic components and methods for fabricating the same. The silk electronic components can be used as novel devices, such as implantable bioelectric and/or biophotonic devices, biosensors, surveillance devices, invisible cloaks, electromagnetic concentrators or antennas.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed for detecting terahertz radiation at room temperature. A detecting pixel includes a sub-wavelength split-ring resonator, and is mechanically coupled to (but thermally decoupled from) a substrate via a cantilever formed from two materials that have a significant mismatch in their thermal expansion coefficients. Incident radiation causes the split-ring resonator to resonate, thereby generating heat that is transferred to the cantilever, causing the cantilever to flex. An optical readout system includes a secondary light source, such as a laser, that shines on a reflective surface on the pixel, whereby a photodiode detects the reflected light and permits calculation of a relative deflection of the pixel in the nanometer range. An exemplary detector has a noise equivalent power rating of approximately 60 pW/?Hz.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed for detecting terahertz radiation at room temperature. A detecting pixel includes a sub-wavelength split-ring resonator, and is mechanically coupled to (but thermally decoupled from) a substrate via a cantilever formed from two materials that have a significant mismatch in their thermal expansion coefficients. Incident radiation causes the split-ring resonator to resonate, thereby generating heat that is transferred to the cantilever, causing the cantilever to flex. An optical readout system includes a secondary light source, such as a laser, that shines on a reflective surface on the pixel, whereby a photodiode detects the reflected light and permits calculation of a relative deflection of the pixel in the nanometer range. An exemplary detector has a noise equivalent power rating of approximately 60 pW/?Hz.

Abstract: A composite material that is responsive to either electromagnetic or thermal radiation. The composite has a controllable structure that is either dynamically or tunably responsive to such radiation and comprises a metamaterial. Sensors, such as a bolometer, that incorporate the composite are also described.

Abstract: A geometrically modifiable resonator is comprised of a resonator disposed on a substrate, and a means for geometrically modifying the resonator. The geometrically modifiable resonator can achieve active optical and/or electronic control of the frequency response in metamaterials and/or frequency selective surfaces, potentially with sub-picosecond response times. Additionally, the methods taught here can be applied to discrete geometrically modifiable circuit components such as inductors and capacitors. Principally, controlled conductivity regions, using either reversible photodoping or voltage induced depletion activation, are used to modify the geometries of circuit components, thus allowing frequency tuning of resonators without otherwise affecting the bulk substrate electrical properties. The concept is valid over any frequency range in which metamaterials are designed to operate.

Abstract: The present invention provides nanoshell particles (“nanoshells”) for use in biosensing applications, along with their manner of making and methods of using the nanoshells for in vitro and in vivo detection of chemical and biological analytes, preferably by surface enhanced Raman light scattering. The preferred particles have a non-conducting core and a metal shell surrounding the core. For given core and shell materials, the ratio of the thickness (i.e., radius) of the core to the thickness of the metal shell is determinative of the wavelength of maximum absorbance of the particle. By controlling the relative core and shell thicknesses, biosensing metal nanoshells are fabricated which absorb light at any desired wavelength across the ultraviolet to infrared range of the electromagnetic spectrum. The surface of the particles are capable of inducing an enhanced SERS signal that is characteristic of an analyte of interest.