Abstract: Exemplary embodiments provide semiconductor nanowires and nanowire devices/applications and methods for their formation. In embodiments, in-plane nanowires can be epitaxially grown on a patterned substrate, which are more favorable than vertical ones for device processing and three-dimensional (3D) integrated circuits. In embodiments, the in-plane nanowire can be formed by selective epitaxy utilizing lateral overgrowth and faceting of an epilayer initially grown in a one-dimensional (1D) nanoscale opening. In embodiments, optical, electrical, and thermal connections can be established and controlled between the nanowire, the substrate, and additional electrical or optical components for better device and system performance.

Abstract: In accordance with the invention, there are imaging interferometric microscopes and methods for imaging interferometric microscopy using structural illumination and evanescent coupling for the extension of imaging interferometric microscopy. Furthermore, there are coherent anti-Stokes Raman (CARS) microscopes and methods for coherent anti-Stokes Raman (CARS) microscopy, wherein imaging interferometric microscopy techniques are applied to get material dependent spectroscopic information.

Abstract: In accordance with the invention, there are methods for self-aligned spatial frequency doubling in one dimension and also in two dimension. The method for self-aligned spatial frequency doubling in one dimension can include forming a film stack over a substrate, wherein the film stack comprises a photoresist layer and forming a one-dimensional periodic first pattern having a first pitch p on the photoresist layer using an optical exposure, wherein the first pitch p is at least smaller than twice the bandpass limit for optical exposures. The method can also include forming a second pattern using the first pattern by nonlinear processing steps, wherein the second pattern has a second pitch p2=p/2.

Abstract: In accordance with the invention, there is a method of forming a nanochannel including depositing a photosensitive film stack over a substrate and forming a pattern on the film stack using interferometric lithography. The method can further include depositing a plurality of silica nanoparticles to form a structure over the pattern and removing the pattern while retaining the structure formed by the plurality of silica nanoparticles, wherein the structure comprises an enclosed nanochannel.

Abstract: In accordance with the invention, there are surfaces exhibiting anisotropic wetting, microfluidic devices and microreactors including the surfaces and methods of controlling anisotropic wetting behavior of the surfaces. The exemplary surface can include a substrate and a plurality of rectangular shaped structures arranged to form a macroscopic pattern over the substrate, wherein the plurality of rectangular shaped structures delineate a top surface of the rectangular structures from a surface of the substrate, the rectangular shaped structures including substantially vertical walls having a height of about 100 nm to about 10 ?m and wherein the shape of the macroscopic pattern, the height of the substantially vertical walls, and a surface chemistry of the top surface controls anisotropic wetting at the top surface of the rectangular structures.

Abstract: A method of epitaxial growth of cubic phase, nitrogen-based compound semiconductor thin films on a semiconductor substrate, for example a <001> substrate, which is periodically patterned with grooves oriented parallel to the <110> crystal direction and terminated in sidewalls, for example <111> sidewalls. The method can provide an epitaxial growth which is able to supply high-quality, cubic phase epitaxial films on a <001> silicon substrate. Controlling nucleation on sidewall facets, for example <111>, fabricated in every groove and blocking the growth of the initial hexagonal phase at the outer region of an epitaxial silicon layer with barrier materials prepared at both sides of each groove allows growth of cubic-phase thin film in each groove and either be extended to macro-scale islands or coalesced with films grown from adjacent grooves to form a continuous film. This can result in a wide-area, cubic phase nitrogen-based compound semiconductor film on a <001> substrate.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments provide an image interferometric microscope (IIM) and methods for image interferometric microscopy. The disclosed IIM can approach the linear systems limits of optical resolution by using a plurality of off-axis illuminations to access high spatial frequencies along with interferometric reintroduction of a zero-order reference beam on the low-NA side of the optical system. In some embodiments, a thin object can be placed normal to the optical axis and the frequency space limit can be extended to about [(1+NA)n/?], where NA is the numerical-aperture of the objective lens used, n is the refraction index of the transmission medium and ? is an optical wavelength. In other embodiments, tilting the object plane can further allow collection of diffraction information up to the material transmission bandpass limited spatial frequency of about 2n/?.

Abstract: In accordance with the invention, there are imaging interferometric microscopes and methods for imaging interferometric microscopy using structural illumination and evanescent coupling for the extension of imaging interferometric microscopy. Furthermore, there are coherent anti-Stokes Raman (CARS) microscopes and methods for coherent anti-Stokes Raman (CARS) microscopy, wherein imaging interferometric microscopy techniques are applied to get material dependent spectroscopic information.

Abstract: In accordance with the invention, there are imaging interferometric microscopes and methods for imaging interferometric microscopy using structural illumination and evanescent coupling for the extension of imaging interferometric microscopy. Furthermore, there are coherent anti-Stokes Raman (CARS) microscopes and methods for coherent anti-Stokes Raman (CARS) microscopy, wherein imaging interferometric microscopy techniques are applied to get material dependent spectroscopic information.

Abstract: The invention includes nanochannel devices and methods for using such nanochannel devices for separating molecules, ions and biomolecules. The nanochannel devices have at least one nanochannel through which fluid can move, wherein ionic double layers form in the fluid near walls of the nanochannel and those ionic double layers overlap within the nanochannel. Electrical voltage can be applied to the nanochannel to modify an electrostatic potential in the nanochannel and thereby control movement of ions and biomolecules through the nanochannel. The invention also includes arrays and networks of such nanochannel devices.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments provide semiconductor nanowires and nanowire devices/applications and methods for their formation. In embodiments, in-plane nanowires can be epitaxially grown on a patterned substrate, which are more favorable than vertical ones for device processing and three-dimensional (3D) integrated circuits. In embodiments, the in-plane nanowire can be formed by selective epitaxy utilizing lateral overgrowth and faceting of an epilayer initially grown in a one-dimensional (1D) nanoscale opening. In embodiments, optical, electrical, and thermal connections can be established and controlled between the nanowire, the substrate, and additional electrical or optical components for better device and system performance.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments provide semiconductor nanowires and nanowire devices/applications and methods for their formation. In embodiments, in-plane nanowires can be epitaxially grown on a patterned substrate, which are more favorable than vertical ones for device processing and three-dimensional (3D) integrated circuits. In embodiments, the in-plane nanowire can be formed by selective epitaxy utilizing lateral overgrowth and faceting of an epilayer initially grown in a one-dimensional (1D) nanoscale opening. In embodiments, optical, electrical, and thermal connections can be established and controlled between the nanowire, the substrate, and additional electrical or optical components for better device and system performance.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments provide an image interferometric microscope (IIM) and methods for image interferometric microscopy. The disclosed IIM can approach the linear systems limits of optical resolution by using a plurality of off-axis illuminations to access high spatial frequencies along with interferometric reintroduction of a zero-order reference beam on the low-NA side of the optical system. In some embodiments, a thin object can be placed normal to the optical axis and the frequency space limit can be extended to about [(1+NA)n/?], where NA is the numerical-aperture of the objective lens used, n is the refraction index of the transmission medium and ? is an optical wavelength. In other embodiments, tilting the object plane can further allow collection of diffraction information up to the material transmission bandpass limited spatial frequency of about 2n/?.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments provide an image interferometric microscope (IIM) and methods for image interferometric microscopy. The disclosed IIM can approach the linear systems limits of optical resolution by using a plurality of off-axis illuminations to access high spatial frequencies along with interferometric reintroduction of a zero-order reference beam on the low-NA side of the optical system. In some embodiments, a thin object can be placed normal to the optical axis and the frequency space limit can be extended to about [(1+NA)n/?], where NA is the numerical-aperture of the objective lens used, n is the refraction index of the transmission medium and ? is an optical wavelength. In other embodiments, tilting the object plane can further allow collection of diffraction information up to the material transmission bandpass limited spatial frequency of about 2n/?.

Abstract: Device and method for detecting the presence of known or unknown toxic agents in a fluid sample. Targets in the sample are bound to releasable receptors immobilized in a reaction region of a micro- or nano-fluidic device. The receptors are selected based on their affinity for classes of known toxic agents. The receptors are freed and the bound and unbound receptors separated based on differential electrokinetic mobilities while they travel to a detection device.

Abstract: In accordance with the invention, there are methods for self-aligned spatial frequency doubling in one dimension and also in two dimension. The method for self-aligned spatial frequency doubling in one dimension can include forming a film stack over a substrate, wherein the film stack comprises a photoresist layer and forming a one-dimensional periodic first pattern having a first pitch p on the photoresist layer using an optical exposure, wherein the first pitch p is at least smaller than twice the bandpass limit for optical exposures. The method can also include forming a second pattern using the first pattern by nonlinear processing steps, wherein the second pattern has a second pitch p2=p/2.

Abstract: In accordance with the invention, there is a method of forming a nanochannel including depositing a photosensitive film stack over a substrate and forming a pattern on the film stack using interferometric lithography. The method can further include depositing a plurality of silica nanoparticles to form a structure over the pattern and removing the pattern while retaining the structure formed by the plurality of silica nanoparticles, wherein the structure comprises an enclosed nanochannel.

Abstract: In accordance with the invention, there is a method of forming a nanochannel including depositing a photosensitive film stack over a substrate and forming a pattern on the film stack using interferometric lithography. The method can further include depositing a plurality of silica nanoparticles to form a structure over the pattern and removing the pattern while retaining the structure formed by the plurality of silica nanoparticles, wherein the structure comprises an enclosed nanochannel.

Abstract: The present invention provides a nonostructured device comprising a substrate including nanotroughs therein; and a lipid bilayer suspended on or supported in the substrate. A separation method is also provided comprising the steps of supporting or suspending a lipid bilayer on a substrate; wherein the subtrate comprises nanostructures and wherein the lipid bilayer comprises at least one membrane associated biomolecule; and applying a driving force to the lipid bilayer to separate the membrane associated biomolecule from the lipid bilayer and to drive the membrane associated biomolecule into the nanostructures.

Abstract: The present invention provides a nanostructured device comprising a substrate including nanotroughs therein; and a lipid bilayer suspended on or supported in the substrate. A separation method is also provided comprising the steps of supporting or suspending a lipid bilayer on a substrate; wherein the substrate comprises nanostructures and wherein the lipid bilayer comprises at least one membrane associated biomolecule; and applying a driving force to the lipid bilayer to separate the membrane associated biomolecule from the lipid bilayer and to drive the membrane associated biomolecule into the nanostructures.