Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a direct-current (DC) mechanical energy harvesting and storage method and apparatus, which can convert mechanical energy such as environmental vibration, automobile kinetic energy, human body motion, etc. directly into 10 sustained DC electricity, and store the electricity in the same materials. More specifically, the disclosure relates to quantum mechanical tunneling of triboelectric charges through a semiconductor-based sliding unit or its integrated system, and the storage of the charges in the unit or its integrated system. A triboelectric generator and storage device includes a first contact member made from a first material. A second contact member is in slidable contact with the first contact member. The second contact member is made from a second material which forms a Schottky barrier with the first material.

Abstract: A device for detecting environmental contaminants, diseases, and acute medical conditions related to heart failure identifies pathogens or troponins before infection or damage to heart muscles using an ultrasensitive high Q-factor AT-cut quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) that can measure from a single pg to a single fg. The device has a set of five disks of a QCM with a 10 mm diameter and a full coated bottom electrode, with an upper electrode with a center dot with different diameters labelled as 1 mm, 2 mm, 3 mm, 4 mm, and 5 mm. The full coating denoting an electrically continuous thickness of at last one monolayer. Measured parameters from the five disks include Q-factors, impedance, dissipation factors (D) and frequency shift (?f). Q-factors are used to calculate the Allman deviation ?(?) and measured frequencies are converted to mass sensitivity using the Sauerbrey mass sensitivity coefficient (K).

Abstract: This patent seeks to describe a design and method of production of a solid state radiometric thruster for the intent of producing a new method of powered flight at varying scales of operation. By using modern nano-manufacturing techniques it is possible to create surface microstructures of the same size as the mean free path for gases at any desired operational pressure, allowing for radiometric forces to be harnessed for propulsion even when the total part dimensions are several orders of magnitude larger than would normally allow this effect to create a noticeable force.

Abstract: A measurement probe system is provided that includes a housing, a Quartz Crystal Microbalance (QCM) mass sensor in the housing, a first cover and a second cover attached to the ends of the housing. A chamber is defined between the housing, the mass sensor, and the second cover. An electrical input in electrical communication with the mass sensor and an electrical output in electrical communication with the second cover are also included. The measurement probe system is used to detect nanoparticle levels in an ionic solution includes inputting an ionic solution sample into the chamber, applying a frequency from a signal generator to the QCM via the electrical input, detecting frequency noises with the second cover and transmitting those frequency noises to a frequency counter via the electrical output, and assessing the level of nanoparticles present in the sample based on the frequency measured by the frequency counter.

Abstract: A dissipation-based sensor includes a single resonator with a nano-structured surface. The sensor exhibits improved sensitivity, up to about 2 orders of magnitude higher than a single resonator without a nano-structured surface. The sensor operates by measuring and estimating the fluid friction per oscillation cycle, operating in normal conditions without vacuum (e.g., in air or other ambient gas) at room temperature. The sensor can provide measurement data at a speed that is orders of magnitude faster than pre-existing resonance-based methods, as it is based on measurements from a few cycles only. The dissipation-based sensor may be utilized in a broad range of fast, inexpensive, hand-held measuring devices. Additionally, the sensor is capable of operating at standard temperature and pressure.

Abstract: This patent seeks to describe a design and method of production of a solid state radiometric thruster for the intent of producing a new method of powered flight at varying scales of operation. By using modern nano-manufacturing techniques it is possible to create surface microstructures of the same size as the mean free path for gases at any desired operational pressure, allowing for radiometric forces to be harnessed for propulsion even when the total part dimensions are several orders of magnitude larger than would normally allow this effect to create a noticeable force.

Abstract: A device for cost-effective and sensitive diagnostics is provided to detect environmental contaminants, diseases, and acute medical conditions related to heart failure. The device identifies pathogens or troponins before infection or damage to heart muscles using an ultrasensitive high Q-factor AT-cut quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) that can measure from a single pg to a single fg. The device has a set of five disks of a QCM with a 10 mm diameter and a full coated bottom electrode, with an upper electrode with a center dot with different diameters labelled as 1 mm, 2 mm, 3 mm, 4 mm, and 5 mm. The full coating denoting an electrically continuous thickness of at least one monolayer. Measured parameters from the five disks illustratively include Q-factors, impedance, dissipation factors (D) and frequency shift (?f). Q-factors are used to calculate the Allan deviation ?(?) and measured frequencies are converted to mass sensitivity using the Sauerbrey mass sensitivity coefficient (K).

Abstract: A dissipation-based sensor includes a single resonator with a nano-structured surface. The sensor exhibits improved sensitivity, up to about 2 orders of magnitude higher than a single resonator without a nano-structured surface. The sensor operates by measuring and estimating the fluid friction per oscillation cycle, operating in normal conditions without vacuum (e.g., in air or other ambient gas) at room temperature. The sensor can provide measurement data at a speed that is orders of magnitude faster than pre-existing resonance-based methods, as it is based on measurements from a few cycles only. The dissipation-based sensor may be utilized in a broad range of fast, inexpensive, hand-held measuring devices. Additionally, the sensor is capable of operating at standard temperature and pressure.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a micromechanical photothermal analyser of microfluidic samples comprising an oblong micro-channel extending longitudinally from a support element, the micro-channel is made from at least two materials with different thermal expansion coefficients, wherein the materials are arranged relatively to each other so that heating of the micro-channel results in a bending of the micro-channel, the first material has a first thermal expansion coefficient and is made from an light-specific transparent penetrable material so that when exposed to ultraviolet, visible, or infrared light, the specific light radiates into the channel through said light transparent material, the second material has a second thermal expansion coefficient being different from the first thermal expansion coefficient.

Abstract: Highly sensitive sensor platforms for the detection of specific reagents, such as chromate, gasoline and biological species, using microcantilevers and other microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) whose surfaces have been modified with photochemically attached organic monolayers, such as self-assembled monolayers (SAM), or gold-thiol surface linkage are taught. The microcantilever sensors use photochemical hydrosilylation to modify silicon surfaces and gold-thiol chemistry to modify metallic surfaces thereby enabling individual microcantilevers in multicantilever array chips to be modified separately. Terminal vinyl substituted hydrocarbons with a variety of molecular recognition sites can be attached to the surface of silicon via the photochemical hydrosilylation process.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for identifying a sample, involves illuminating the sample with light of varying wavelengths, transmitting an acoustic signal against the sample from one side and receiving a resulting acoustic signal on another side, detecting a change of phase in the acoustic signal corresponding to the light of varying wavelengths, and analyzing the change of phase in the acoustic signal for the varying wavelengths of illumination to identify the sample. The apparatus has a controlled source for illuminating the sample with light of varying wavelengths, a transmitter for transmitting an acoustic wave, a receiver for receiving the acoustic wave and converting the acoustic wave to an electronic signal, and an electronic circuit for detecting a change of phase in the acoustic wave corresponding to respective ones of the varying wavelengths and outputting the change of phase for the varying wavelengths to allow identification of the sample.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for identifying a sample, involves illuminating the sample with light of varying wavelengths, transmitting an acoustic signal against the sample from one portion and receiving a resulting acoustic signal on another portion, detecting a change of phase in the acoustic signal corresponding to the light of varying wavelengths, and analyzing the change of phase in the acoustic signal for the varying wavelengths of illumination to identify the sample. The apparatus has a controlled source for illuminating the sample with light of varying wavelengths, a transmitter for transmitting an acoustic wave, a receiver for receiving the acoustic wave and converting the acoustic wave to an electronic signal, and an electronic circuit for detecting a change of phase in the acoustic wave corresponding to respective ones of the varying wavelengths and outputting the change of phase for the varying wavelengths to allow identification of the sample.

Abstract: A method, system, and apparatus are provided for separating molecules, such as biomolecules. The method, system, and apparatus utilize an electrochemical cell having at least to electrodes, one electrode comprising a photo-sensitive material capable of generating a photopotential. Molecules are moved through an electrolyte medium between the at least two electrodes based upon localized photopotentials.

Abstract: A chemically functionalized cantilever system has a cantilever coated on one side thereof with a reagent or biological species which binds to an analyte. The system is of particular value when the analyte is a toxic chemical biological warfare agent or an explosive.

Abstract: Highly sensitive sensor platforms for the detection of specific reagents, such as chromate, gasoline and biological species, using microcantilevers and other microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) whose surfaces have been modified with photochemically attached organic monolayers, such as self-assembled monolayers (SAM), or gold-thiol surface linkage are taught. The microcantilever sensors use photochemical hydrosilylation to modify silicon surfaces and gold-thiol chemistry to modify metallic surfaces thereby enabling individual microcantilevers in multicantilever array chips to be modified separately. Terminal vinyl substituted hydrocarbons with a variety of molecular recognition sites can be attached to the surface of silicon via the photochemical hydrosilylation process.

Abstract: A device for providing in vivo diagnostics of loads, wear, and infection in orthopedic implants having at least one load sensor associated with the implant, at least one temperature sensor associated with the implant, at least one vibration sensor associated with the implant, and at least one signal processing device operatively coupled with the sensors. The signal processing device is operable to receive the output signal from the sensors and transmit a signal corresponding with the output signal.

Abstract: A two-track piezoresistive cantilever detects explosives in ambient air by measuring resistance changes in the cantilever when one piezoresistive track is pulse heated to cause deflagration of explosive adhered to the surface of the cantilever. The resistance measurement is through the second piezoresistive track, which is located at the most resistance-sensitive area. The resistance change of this track is caused by the temperature change of the cantilever as well as the bending of the cantilever due to bi-material thermal expansion. The detecting method using this novel cantilever avoids the use of any optical components such as a laser and position sensing detector (PSD), which are necessary in traditional detecting systems using cantilevers. Therefore, it can extremely reduce the complexity of the detecting system and make a portable chemical detection system possible that is small, less expensive, and able to be mass produced and is particularly useful for the detection of explosives.

Abstract: A surface wave chemical detector comprising at least one surface wave substrate, each of said substrates having a surface wave and at least one measurable surface wave parameter; means for exposing said surface wave substrate to an unknown sample of at least one chemical to be analyzed, said substrate adsorbing said at least one chemical to be sensed if present in said sample; a source of radiation for radiating said surface wave substrate with different wavelengths of said radiation, said surface wave parameter being changed by said adsorbing; and means for recording signals representative of said surface wave parameter of each of said surface wave substrates responsive to said radiation of said different wavelengths, measurable changes of said parameter due to adsorbing said chemical defining a unique signature of a detected chemical.

Abstract: A number of thermal elements are used in a microfluidic device to move or manipulate nano-liter and pico-liter amounts of adsorbed fluid analytes and reagents on the device surface. All of the basic microfluidic operations of transport, merge, subdivide, separate, sort, remove, and capture are provided. A typical device embodiment has a flat or curved surface with the thermal elements located at or near the surface and arranged in any of a number of patterns that make possible specific manipulations of the adsorbed fluids on the surface. The thermal elements may be electrical resistive heaters or Peltier Effect junctions, and are activated by a series of electrical pulses from a control means. The heated or cooled thermal elements produce localized thermal gradients in the surface which in turn induce a surface tension gradient between the adsorbed fluid and the surface, making possible a variety of fluid manipulations on the surface.

Abstract: An improved multi-element apparatus for detecting the presence of at least one chemical, biological or physical component in a monitored area comprising an array or single set of the following elements: a capacitive transducer having at least one cantilever spring element secured thereto, the cantilever element having an area thereof coated with a chemical having an affinity for the component to be detected; a pick-up plate positioned adjacent to the cantilever element at a distance such that a capacitance between the cantilever element and the pick-up plate changes as the distance between the cantilever element and the pick-up plate varies, the change in capacitance being a measurable variation; a detection means for measuring the measurable variation in the capacitance between the cantilever element and the pick-up plate that forms a measurement channel signal; and at least one feedback cantilever spring element positioned apart from the coated cantilever element, the cantilever element substantially unaffe