Abstract: A method of collecting resin beads includes first to fourth steps. The first step is a step of preparing a sample on a thin film provided on an upper surface of a substrate. The second step is a step of irradiating the thin film with a laser beam and a laser beam with the laser beam and the laser beam being distant from each other. The third step is a step of producing a microbubble at a position irradiated with the laser beam and producing a microbubble at a position irradiated with the laser beam, by heating the sample by irradiation with the laser beams. The fourth step is a step of collecting a plurality of resin beads in a region between the microbubble and the microbubble by producing convection of the sample in a direction perpendicular to a direction of alignment of the microbubble and the microbubble.

Abstract: A microscopic object collecting method collects a plurality of microscopic objects dispersed in a sample. The method includes: irradiating a thin film with a plurality of laser beams, the thin film being provided on a bottom surface of an collection container containing the sample, the plurality of laser beams being separated from each other; and heating the sample with the plurality of laser beams to generate a plurality of microbubbles corresponding to the plurality of laser beams and to generate heat convection in the sample. An interval between adjacent two laser beams of the plurality of laser beams is narrower than a distance that allows three larger microbubbles to be virtually arranged in a gap between two microbubbles corresponding to the two laser beams, each of the three larger microbubbles being the larger one of the two microbubbles.

Abstract: A first step is preparing a sample in contact with a bowl region. A second step is irradiating the bowl region with a laser beam to generate a microbubble in an irradiation region of the laser beam and accumulate a plurality of microscopic objects around the microbubble. The bowl region includes a metallic thin film, a conductive polymer film, and a metallic thin film. Conductive polymer film has a plurality of bowl-like structures periodically arranged on metallic thin film. The sizes of the plurality of bowl-like structures and the irradiation region of the laser beam are determined such that at least two of the plurality of bowl-like structures are entirely included in the irradiation region.

Abstract: A detection kit includes a photothermal conversion region that absorbs light and converts the light into heat. A plurality of pores are disposed in the photothermal conversion region. A detection method includes first to third steps. The first step is introducing a plurality of antibody-modified beads into the plurality of pores, each of the plurality of antibody-modified beads having a surface modified by an antibody capable of being specifically bound to an analyte. The second step is heating a sample to generate convection in the sample by irradiating the photothermal conversion region with light having a wavelength within an absorption wavelength range of the photothermal conversion region. The third step is detecting the analyte by monitoring the detection kit after the irradiation with the light.

Abstract: A laser module includes a plurality of light emission regions and the plurality of light emission regions emit a plurality of laser beams. An optical waveguide and a lens condense the plurality of laser beams to an identical focal point. An adjustment mechanism is configured to adjust relative positional relation between the sample stage and a condenser lens (the optical waveguide and the lens). A controller is configured to switch between a single-point irradiation mode and a multi-point irradiation mode. The single-point irradiation mode refers to a mode in which the adjustment mechanism is controlled such that the focal point of the plurality of laser beams falls on the thin film. The multi-point irradiation mode refers to a mode in which the adjustment mechanism is controlled such that the focal point does not fall on the thin film.

Abstract: A collecting apparatus for bacteria includes: a laser beam source configured to emit a laser beam; and a container configured to hold a dispersion liquid in which a plurality of bacteria are dispersed. The container has a bottom surface and an inner side surface. A thin film for converting the laser beam from the laser beam source into heat is formed on the bottom surface. At the inner side surface, immersion wetting occurs by the dispersion liquid when the inner side surface comes into contact with the dispersion liquid. The thin film is configured to produce a thermal convection in the dispersion liquid by heating the dispersion liquid. The inner side surface is configured to produce a Marangoni convection at a gas-liquid interface as an interface between the dispersion liquid and gas around the dispersion liquid.

Abstract: The present invention provides an electrochemical device utilizing microorganisms and capable of outputting sufficient power in a short time after boot-up, by means of an electrochemical device comprising a first electrode comprising a surface layer portion having at least one pore with an opening, wherein the pore has a conductive section at least on an inner face thereof, the first electrode has a conduction path that electrically connects the conductive sections of the pores to each other, and each pore carries electron-donating microorganisms of different classifications or different electron-donating microorganisms of the same classification, or electron-donating microorganisms with average particle sizes significantly different from each other; and a method of producing the same.

Abstract: A microscopic object detection system includes a collecting kit and a detection device. The collecting kit has a thin film for converting light into heat and is configured to be capable of holding a sample on the thin film. The detection device detects a plurality of microscopic objects in the sample by collecting the plurality of microscopic objects dispersed in the sample with the collecting kit. The detection device includes a laser module, an optical receiver, and a controller. The laser module emits a laser beam with which the collecting kit is irradiated. The optical receiver detects the laser beam from the sample held by the collecting kit and outputs a detection signal thereof. The controller calculates an amount of the plurality of microscopic objects collected in the sample based on a change of the detection signal over time.

Abstract: The purpose of the present invention is to collect a plurality of microscopic objects dispersed in a liquid by light irradiation, and also trap them. A collecting device for bacteria collects a plurality of bacteria dispersed in a sample liquid. The collecting device is provided with a laser beam source that emits laser beam and a honeycomb polymer film constituted so as to be able to hold the liquid. Walls prescribing pores for trapping the plurality of bacteria dispersed in the liquid are formed on the honeycomb polymer film, and also a thin film that includes a material for converting light from the laser beam source to heat is formed on the honeycomb polymer film. The thin film heats the liquid of the sample through the conversion of the laser beam from the laser beam source to heat, thereby causing a convection in the liquid.

Abstract: A method for detecting an analyte includes first to third steps. The first step is distributing a sample containing a bead modified with a host molecule that is specifically bound to the analyte in a microchannel using a syringe pump. The second step is irradiating the sample with non-resonant light that is light outside a wavelength range of electronic resonance of the bead. The third step is detecting the analyte based on a signal from a camera that receives the light from the sample.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a photothermal conversion element includes preparing a solid material and forming a processed region processed by irradiation of the solid material with a laser beam. The forming includes grain refining the solid material to blacken the processed region.

Abstract: A method of collecting resin beads includes first to fourth steps. The first step is a step of preparing a sample on a thin film provided on an upper surface of a substrate. The second step is a step of irradiating the thin film with a laser beam and a laser beam with the laser beam and the laser beam being distant from each other. The third step is a step of producing a microbubble at a position irradiated with the laser beam and producing a microbubble at a position irradiated with the laser beam, by heating the sample by irradiation with the laser beams. The fourth step is a step of collecting a plurality of resin beads in a region between the microbubble and the microbubble by producing convection of the sample in a direction perpendicular to a direction of alignment of the microbubble and the microbubble.

Abstract: A laser module includes a plurality of light emission regions and the plurality of light emission regions emit a plurality of laser beams. An optical waveguide and a lens condense the plurality of laser beams to an identical focal point. An adjustment mechanism is configured to adjust relative positional relation between the sample stage and a condenser lens (the optical waveguide and the lens). A controller is configured to switch between a single-point irradiation mode and a multi-point irradiation mode. The single-point irradiation mode refers to a mode in which the adjustment mechanism is controlled such that the focal point of the plurality of laser beams falls on the thin film. The multi-point irradiation mode refers to a mode in which the adjustment mechanism is controlled such that the focal point does not fall on the thin film.

Abstract: The purpose of the present invention is to collect a plurality of microscopic objects dispersed in a liquid by light irradiation, and also trap them. A collecting device for bacteria collects a plurality of bacteria dispersed in a sample liquid. The collecting device is provided with a laser beam source that emits laser beam and a honeycomb polymer film constituted so as to be able to hold the liquid. Walls prescribing pores for trapping the plurality of bacteria dispersed in the liquid are formed on the honeycomb polymer film, and also a thin film that includes a material for converting light from the laser beam source to heat is formed on the honeycomb polymer film. The thin film heats the liquid of the sample through the conversion of the laser beam from the laser beam source to heat, thereby causing a convection in the liquid.

Abstract: A collecting apparatus for bacteria includes: a laser beam source configured to emit a laser beam; and a container configured to hold a dispersion liquid in which a plurality of bacteria are dispersed. The container has a bottom surface and an inner side surface. A thin film for converting the laser beam from the laser beam source into heat is formed on the bottom surface. At the inner side surface, immersion wetting occurs by the dispersion liquid when the inner side surface comes into contact with the dispersion liquid. The thin film is configured to produce a thermal convection in the dispersion liquid by heating the dispersion liquid. The inner side surface is configured to produce a Marangoni convection at a gas-liquid interface as an interface between the dispersion liquid and gas around the dispersion liquid.

Abstract: A detection device detects an analyte that may be contained in a specimen. The detection device includes a plurality of gold nanoparticles, an optical trapping light source, an illumination light source, an objective lens, an image pick-up device, and a computation unit. The plurality of gold nanoparticles are each modified with a probe DNA allowing the analyte to specifically adhere thereto. The optical trapping light source emits polarized light for assembling the plurality of gold nanoparticles together. The objective lens focuses and introduces the polarized light into a liquid containing a specimen and the plurality of gold nanoparticles. The image pick-up device receives light from the liquid. The computation unit detects an analyte based on a signal received from the image pick-up device.

Abstract: Disclosed is a device and method allowing a trace amount of a target substance to be detected. A metallic nanoparticle assembly structure is formed of metallic nanoparticles assembled together and modified with a host molecule allowing the target substance to specifically adhere thereto. A metallic nanorod is modified with a host molecule allowing the target substance to specifically adhere thereto. The metallic nanorod is conjugated to the metallic nanoparticle assembly structure by the target substance. An extinction spectrum of localized surface plasmon resonance or a surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) spectrum induced in the metallic nanoparticle assembly structure and the metallic nanostructure is measured with a spectroscope. The target substance is detected based on that spectrum.

Abstract: An assembling apparatus assembles beads different in particle size from each other. The assembling apparatus includes a substrate and a photothermal light source. The substrate is constructed to be able to hold a sample in which the beads are dispersed. The photothermal light source irradiates the substrate or the sample with laser beams to thereby produce a temperature difference in the sample.

Abstract: A detection device detects an analyte that may be contained in a specimen. The detection device includes a plurality of gold nanoparticles, an optical trapping light source, an illumination light source, an objective lens, an image pick-up device, and a computation unit. The plurality of gold nanoparticles are each modified with a probe DNA allowing the analyte to specifically adhere thereto. The optical trapping light source emits polarized light for assembling the plurality of gold nanoparticles together. The objective lens focuses and introduces the polarized light into a liquid containing a specimen and the plurality of gold nanoparticles. The image pick-up device receives light from the liquid. The computation unit detects an analyte based on a signal received from the image pick-up device.

Abstract: Disclosed is a device and method allowing a trace amount of a target substance to be detected. A metallic nanoparticle assembly structure is formed of metallic nanoparticles assembled together and modified with a host molecule allowing the target substance to specifically adhere thereto. A metallic nanorod is modified with a host molecule allowing the target substance to specifically adhere thereto. The metallic nanorod is conjugated to the metallic nanoparticle assembly structure by the target substance. An extinction spectrum of localized surface plasmon resonance or a surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) spectrum induced in the metallic nanoparticle assembly structure and the metallic nanostructure is measured with a spectroscope. The target substance is detected based on that spectrum.