Abstract: A device disclosed herein includes an optical detector that detects a specular reflection from a test article having a coating thereon. The device also includes a processor operatively coupled to the optical detector and configured to determine whether a contaminant is present at the coating based on the specular reflection and based on a calibration measurement determined from a test article having a known contaminant-free sample of the coating thereon. Another device disclosed herein includes an optical detector that detects a specular reflection from the test article having a coating thereon, with the specular reflection at an angle of less than 20° with respect to an axis normal to the test article. The device can further include a processor configured to determine whether contamination is present at the coating. Embodiments enable rapid, sensitive testing of epoxy and paint surfaces by minimally trained personnel.

Abstract: The present invention is related in general to chemical and biological detection and identification and more particularly to systems and methods for the rapid detection and identification of low concentrations of chemicals and biomaterials using surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy.

Abstract: The present invention is related in general to chemical and biological detection and identification and more particularly to systems and methods for the rapid detection and identification of low concentrations of chemicals and biomaterials using surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed which enable deposition parameters to be controlled in producing a metal surface to tune the localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) wavelength of such metal surface to a desired wavelength. For example, the surface produced may be used as an enhancement surface within a surface-enhanced spectroscopy process, wherein such surface is produced having a LSPR wavelength that provides the maximum extinction of a particular excitation light. In one embodiment, a metal is deposited onto a substrate, while controlling one or more deposition parameters to tailor the LSPR of the resulting metal surface to a desired wavelength. In one embodiment, the substrate is smooth, and does not require a mask prearranged thereon for controlling the LSPR wavelength. Rather, deposition parameters, such as temperature of the substrate, deposition rate, and film thickness may be controlled to effectively tune the LSPR wavelength of the metal surface.

Abstract: A vehicle (10) includes an infrared imaging system (11). The system includes an infrared camera (12) positioned in the center of the front grille of the vehicle. The infrared camera includes a window (13) that has a holographic fringe pattern (14) which cooperates with visible light rays (27, 47, 52, 57) to generate an image (29) that is visible at a location spaced from the vehicle. The visible image may, for example, be a trademark or other symbol identifying the manufacturer of the vehicle. Infrared radiation (31) passes through the element and the structure thereof without significant change, and is detected by an infrared detector (33). A visible image corresponding to the infrared radiation is ultimately displayed by a head up display (19) on a portion (16) of the vehicle windshield (17).

Abstract: Systems and methods for analyzing very low concentrations of analyte molecules (e.g., sub-part per trillion or, even, single molecule detection) utilizing a tunable substrate for surface-enhanced resonance Raman scattering. Surface characteristics of a substrate are tuned to optimize overlap of surface plasmon resonance wavelength (SPRW) spectra of the substrate, the excitation bandwidth of an excitation source, and Raman scattered wavelengths of an analyte molecule.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed which enable deposition parameters to be controlled in producing a metal surface to tune the localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) wavelength of such metal surface to a desired wavelength. For example, the surface produced may be used as an enhancement surface within a surface-enhanced spectroscopy process, wherein such surface is produced having a LSPR wavelength that provides the maximum extinction of a particular excitation light. In one embodiment, a metal is deposited onto a substrate, while controlling one or more deposition parameters to tailor the LSPR of the resulting metal surface to a desired wavelength. In one embodiment, the substrate is smooth, and does not require a mask prearranged thereon for controlling the LSPR wavelength. Rather, deposition parameters, such as temperature of the substrate, deposition rate, and film thickness may be controlled to effectively tune the LSPR wavelength of the metal surface.

Abstract: A vehicle (10) includes an infrared imaging system (11). The system includes an infrared camera (12) positioned in the center of the front grille of the vehicle. The infrared camera includes a window (13) that has a holographic fringe pattern (14) which cooperates with visible light rays (27, 47, 52, 57) to generate an image (29) that is visible at a location spaced from the vehicle. The visible image may, for example, be a trademark or other symbol identifying the manufacturer of the vehicle. Infrared radiation (31) passes through the element and the structure thereof without significant change, and is detected by an infrared detector (33). A visible image corresponding to the infrared radiation is ultimately displayed by a head up display (19) on a portion (16) of the vehicle windshield (17).