Abstract: Disclosed are methods, systems, and devices for implementing nanoparticles to encapsulate biomolecules such as enzymes. In one aspect, a nanoparticle device includes a shell structure including an internal layer structured to enclose a hollow interior region and include one or more holes penetrating through the internal layer, and an external layer formed of a porous material around the internal layer; and an enzyme contained within the interior region of the shell structure, the enzyme having entered the shell structure through the one or more holes and incapable of passing through the external layer, in which the pores are of a size that prevents the enzyme to pass through the pores while permitting substances smaller than the pore size to pass through the pores.

Abstract: Techniques, systems, and devices are disclosed for non-thermal cycling of polymerase chain reaction (PCR). In one aspect, a method for cycling PCR includes receiving an electrolytic fluid including ions, primers, polymerase enzymes, nucleotides, and a double-stranded nucleic acid in a fluid chamber having a first electrode and a second electrode, applying an electric field across the first and the second electrodes to generate a first pH level of the electrolytic fluid to denature the double-stranded nucleic acid to at least partial single strands, and applying a second electric field across the first and second electrodes to produce a second pH level of the electrolytic fluid, in which the second pH level enables binding of a polymerase enzyme and a primer with a corresponding segment of the single strands.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices are disclosed for encapsulating biological entities with preservation of their biological activity. In one aspect, a method of encapsulating a biological entity includes templating a biocompatible material onto a biological structure to form a coating structure enclosing the biological structure, the coating structure having a size in the nanometer range, in which the coated biological structure preserves its biological activity within the coating structure. In some implementations of the method, the biological structure includes a virus and the biocompatible material includes silica.

Abstract: Methods, structures, devices and systems are disclosed for fabricating and implementing nanoparticles with hollow core and sealable holes. In one aspect, a nanoparticle device can includes a shell structure including at least two layers including an internal layer and an external layer, the internal layer structured to enclose a hollow interior region and include one or more holes penetrating the internal layer, the external layer is of a porous material and formed around the internal layer and sealing the one or more holes, and a substance contained within the hollow interior region, the substance incapable of passing through the external layer.

Abstract: The disclosure provide hollow nanospheres and methods of making and using the same. The methods and compositions of the disclosure are useful for drug delivery and gene transfer.

Abstract: Methods, structures, devices and systems are disclosed for implementing a fiber optic force sensing transducer. In one aspect, an exemplary fiber optic force sensing transducer device includes an optical fiber coated by at least one layer of a polyelectrolyte material that utilizes the movement of optical structures coupled to the external polyelectrolyte layer in an evanescent field produced by the optical fiber to detect forces imposing on the fiber. In one aspect, an optical sensing device includes an optical waveguide that internally guides light, one or more layers formed outside the optical waveguide within an evanescent field of the guided light in the optical waveguide, and one or more optical structures coupled to the one or more layers in the evanescent field to emit light based on interaction with the evanescent field to indicate a position of an optical structure relative to an external surface of the optical waveguide.

Abstract: Methods, structures, devices and systems are disclosed for fabricating and implementing nanoparticles with hollow core and sealable holes. In one aspect, a nanoparticle device can includes a shell structure including at least two layers including an internal layer and an external layer, the internal layer structured to enclose a hollow interior region and include one or more holes penetrating the internal layer, the external layer is of a porous material and formed around the internal layer and sealing the one or more holes, and a substance contained within the hollow interior region, the substance incapable of passing through the external layer.

Abstract: Techniques and apparatus for using single photon avalanche diode (SPAD) devices in various applications.

Abstract: Vertical cavity semiconductor optical amplifiers for various photonic devices including all optical logic gate devices and oscillators, where such devices can be implemented to achieve various advantages, including Boolean inversion at high speeds, low power, workable noise margins for cascadability because of input output isolation, and easy of integration in large arrays.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for identifying and tracking surgical objects is disclosed. More specifically, a method and apparatus for identifying and tracking surgical objects such as needles, scalpels, blades, sponges and instruments in a medical industry using an identifier encoded on a fluorescent paint attached to the surgical object combined with detectors and software capable of retrieving the identifying information on the identifier.

Abstract: Techniques, devices and systems are disclosed for implementing acoustically triggered propulsion of nano- and micro-scale structures. In one aspect, an ultrasound responsive propulsion device includes a tube that includes one or more layers including an inner layer having an electrostatic surface, and an ultrasound-responsive substance coupled to the inner layer and configured to form gaseous bubbles in a fluid in response to an ultrasound pulse, in which the bubbles exit the tube to propel the tube to move in the fluid.

Abstract: Devices and techniques are described that involve a combination of multidimensional electrokinetic, dielectrophoretic, electrophoretic and fluidic forces and effects for separating cells, nanovesicles, nanoparticulates and biomarkers (DNA, RNA, antibodies, proteins) in high conductance (ionic) strength biological samples and buffers. In disclosed embodiments, a combination of continuous and/or pulsed dielectrophoretic (DEP) forces, continuous and/or pulsed field DC electrophoretic forces, microelectrophoresis and controlled fluidics are utilized with arrays of electrodes. In particular, the use of chambered DEP devices and of a properly scaled relatively larger electrode array devices that combines fluid, electrophoretic and DEP forces enables both larger and/or clinically relevant volumes of blood, serum, plasma or other samples to be more directly, rapidly and efficiently analyzed. The invention enables the creation of “seamless” sample-to-answer diagnostic systems and devices.

Abstract: Methods, structures, devices and systems are disclosed for fabricating and implementing nanoparticles with hollow core and sealable holes. In one aspect, a nanoparticle device can includes a shell structure including at least two layers including an internal layer and an external layer, the internal layer structured to enclose a hollow interior region and include one or more holes penetrating the internal layer, the external layer is of a porous material and formed around the internal layer and sealing the one or more holes, and a substance contained within the hollow interior region, the substance incapable of passing through the external layer.

Abstract: Devices and techniques are described that involve a combination of multidimensional electrokinetic, dielectrophoretic, electrophoretic and fluidic forces and effects for separating cells, nanovesicles, nanoparticulates and biomarkers (DNA, RNA, antibodies, proteins) in high conductance (ionic) strength biological samples and buffers. In disclosed embodiments, a combination of continuous and/or pulsed dielectrophoretic (DEP) forces, continuous and/or pulsed field DC electrophoretic forces, microelectrophoresis and controlled fluidics are utilized with arrays of electrodes. In particular, the use of chambered DEP devices and of a properly scaled relatively larger electrode array devices that combines fluid, electrophoretic and DEP forces enables both larger and/or clinically relevant volumes of blood, serum, plasma or other samples to be more directly, rapidly and efficiently analyzed. The invention enables the creation of “seamless” sample-to-answer diagnostic systems and devices.

Abstract: Techniques, systems, devices and materials are disclosed for implementing and fabricating drug delivery and imaging vehicles, which are activated in the body at a tissue of interest by focused ultrasound. In one aspect, a drug delivery vehicle can include a carrier having an outer membrane that envelopes an acoustic sensitizer particle and a payload substance to be delivered to the target tissue. The outer membrane can protect the acoustic sensitizer particle and the payload substance from degradation and opsonization. The outer membrane can be functionalized with a tumor targeting ligand to cause the drug delivery vehicle to selectively accumulate in a tumor region over other tissues, as well as with an agent to increase circulation time by reducing uptake from undesired body tissues, organs, and systems.

Abstract: Apparatuses and systems for photon detection can include a first optical sensing structure structured to absorb light at a first optical wavelength; and a second optical sensing structure engaged with the first optical sensing structure to allow optical communication between the first and the second optical sensing structures. The second optical sensing structure can be structured to absorb light at a second optical wavelength longer than the first optical wavelength and to emit light at the first optical wavelength which is absorbed by the first optical sensing structure. Apparatuses and systems can include a bandgap grading region.

Abstract: Techniques, systems, and devices are disclosed for non-thermal cycling of polymerase chain reaction (PCR). In one aspect, a method for cycling PCR includes receiving an electrolytic fluid including ions, primers, polymerase enzymes, nucleotides, and a double-stranded nucleic acid in a fluid chamber having a first electrode and a second electrode, applying an electric field across the first and the second electrodes to generate a first pH level of the electrolytic fluid to denature the double-stranded nucleic acid to at least partial single strands, and applying a second electric field across the first and second electrodes to produce a second pH level of the electrolytic fluid, in which the second pH level enables binding of a polymerase enzyme and a primer with a corresponding segment of the single strands.

Abstract: The disclosure provide hollow nanospheres and methods of making and using the same. The methods and compositions of the disclosure are useful for drug delivery and gene transfer.

Abstract: The disclosure provide hollow nanospheres and methods of making and using the same. The methods and compositions of the disclosure are useful for drug delivery and gene transfer.

Abstract: Apparatuses and systems for photon detection can include a first optical sensing structure structured to absorb light at a first optical wavelength; and a second optical sensing structure engaged with the first optical sensing structure to allow optical communication between the first and the second optical sensing structures. The second optical sensing structure can be structured to absorb light at a second optical wavelength longer than the first optical wavelength and to emit light at the first optical wavelength which is absorbed by the first optical sensing structure. Apparatuses and systems can include a bandgap grading region.