Abstract: The electronic system includes an electronic device and a liquid holding section that is thermally coupled to the electronic device. The electronic system further includes an impermeable section that engages the liquid holding section. The impermeable section includes a channel and a plurality of passages that provide fluid communication between the liquid holding section and the channel. The electronic system further includes (i) a first fluid that flows through the channel in the impermeable section to facilitate heat transfer from the electronic device to the first fluid; and (ii) a second fluid that flows from the liquid holding section through the plurality of passages into the channel when the second fluid boils within the liquid holding section due to heat transfer from the electronic device to the second fluid. In some embodiments, the first and second fluids are different types of substances.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for measuring a gas within a semiconductor thin film process. The apparatus includes an optical resonator disposed within an environment of the thin-film process, a tunable laser that excites the optical resonator at a characteristic frequency of the gas and a detector that detects an energy within the resonator.

Abstract: An analyte detector including a device having a surface, wherein the device is capable of detecting a charge adjacent to the surface. The surface includes a plurality of molecules bonded thereto, wherein the molecules have a structure (I): where R is a ligand bonded to the surface of the device and R1 is a spacer having 5 to 50 carbon atoms. The charge adjacent to the surface is created by the anionic complex of structure (I), and the number of anionic complex of structure (I) is dependent on the concentration of the analyte of interest. Methods for detecting an analyte are also disclosed, as well as systems using such analyte detectors.

Abstract: A nanoparticle having a self assembly monolayer of molecules as a shell on the nanoparticle. The monolayer may include organic molecules working as surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) reporters. Also, the core shell may include at least a receptor, and/or the like, to ensure that a target analyte can be bound for measurement with SERS. The target analyte may be organic, chemical, biological, inorganic, gas, liquid, solid, and so forth.

Abstract: A surface enhanced Raman scatter (SERS) analyte analyzer. The analyzer has floating surfaces for enhancement of the Raman scattered light from sample molecules. An injector may provide a spray of charged nanoparticles suspended in droplets of an evaporable solution into a chamber. When the solution quickly evaporates, droplets of nanoparticles are left without a supporting solution. These droplets or cloud of charged nanoparticles may then explode into a dispersion or aerosol. The charged nanoparticles may attract molecules of a sample for attachment to their surfaces. A laser light may impinge the attached molecules which may result in surface enhanced Raman scattered light received by a detector or a light spectrometer. Wavelength signatures may then be obtained from the spectrometer. The signatures may provide information about the molecules.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for measuring a gas within a semiconductor thin film process. The apparatus includes an optical resonator disposed within an environment of the thin-film process, a tunable laser that excites the optical resonator at a characteristic frequency of the gas and a detector that detects an energy within the resonator.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to a sensor membrane. The sensor membrane comprises one or more conversion layers wherein the one or more conversion layers are capable of converting a non-charged analyte into a charged species, one or more polymeric layers wherein the one or more polymeric layers act as matrices to host the one or more conversion layers and wherein the one or more conversion layers and one or more polymeric layers create oppositely charged regions within the membrane.

Abstract: An assay implementation in a microfluidic format in a cartridge relating to a point-of-care instrument platform for monitoring and diagnosing infectious diseases (e.g., AIDS and malaria). The platform may also provide a complete blood count. The instrument platform may hold the cartridge and a portion of an optical system for fluorescent and scattered light related analyses of blood sample in a flow channel of the cartridge.

Abstract: A system using a multi-fluid coolant. Immiscible or miscible fluids may be put through one or more channels. A device to be cooled may be thermally coupled to the channels. The boiling point of one fluid may be greater than an operating temperature that is to be maintained in the device. The boiling point of another fluid should be less than the operating temperature of the device.

Abstract: An occupancy based ventilation system for indoor air quality that uses a counter to count the number of persons in a specific indoor room or other area, wherein the number of persons determines the degree of ventilation from the room's ventilation system. The counter would keep track of both the number of persons and the length of time each is present in the room. A feedback control algorithm between the counting device and the ventilation management controls provides for automatic control of the amount of ventilation needed to insure a comfortable and efficient environment.

Abstract: A gas sensor is provided for detecting one or more gases in a gas sample. The gas sensor includes a substrate, a solid electrolyte layer including lanthanum oxide for sensing carbon dioxide, a heating element thermally coupled to the solid electrolyte layer, and a controller coupled to the heating element and the solid electrolyte layer. The controller heats the heating element so that the solid electrolyte layer reaches an operating. Methods of sensing carbon dioxide and humidity are also disclosed.

Abstract: A sensor is disclosed that includes an electrolyte pump in fluid communication with an electrochemical cell and an ion selective electrode. The electrochemical cell may include a gold cathode and a platinum anode. The sensor may include an electrolyte reservoir as well as an optional electrolyte waste reservoir. Methods of sensing chlorine dioxide are also disclosed.

Abstract: An analyte detector is disclosed. The analyte detector includes a substrate having a surface, a self-assembled monolayer comprising a plurality of molecules bonded to the surface, the molecules having a structure (I) defined herein, and a liquid crystal layer having a plurality of liquid crystal molecules aligned on a top surface of the self-assembled monolayer. The liquid crystal molecule includes a diol moiety that interacts with the molecule having a structure (I). Methods of detecting an analyte are also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed is a compound that fluoresces in the presence of saccharides, the compound having the formula: wherein F designates a fluorophore, R is a lower aliphatic or aromatic group, n and m are each 0, 1, or 2, n+m is the integer 2 or 3, p is an integer of 1 to about 30, and the moieties [CH2CH2]p and the benzene ring attached to the boron atom are substituted or unsubstituted. The present invention also provides a fully-integrated microfluidic system for detection of the fluorescence which comprises a light source; a self-assembled monolayer of a compound of the above formula coated on a gold surface that fluoresces in the presence of a saccharide; a light processor; and a detector.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of internally-generated hydrogen sulfide as a calibration gas for hydrogen sulfide sensors. The present invention also relates to an apparatus and methods for self-calibration of hydrogen sulfide sensors.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for testing multiple sample compounds for their biological effect comprising a porous block having substantially planar top and bottom surfaces. The top surface comprises a plurality of cell adhesive regions and cell dis-adhesive regions and the bottom surface provides multiple sites to load the sample compounds. These sites are located opposite from the cell adhesive regions on the top surface of the porous block. In certain embodiments, the invention further comprises at least one dissolvable layer which provides multiple sites to load the sample compounds.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of internally-generated hydrogen sulfide as a calibration gas for hydrogen sulfide sensors. The present invention also relates to an apparatus and methods for self-calibration of hydrogen sulfide sensors.

Abstract: The invention sets forth a method for reducing coagulation in a blood sample collected most conveniently from an acral body site such as the fingertip or heel, commonly referred to as capillary blood collection. The method includes the steps of applying an anticoagulant composition to the acral site, lancing the skin in contact with the anticoagulant composition and allowing blood and anticoagulant to mix on the skin at the site prior to collecting the blood for analysis.

Abstract: The present invention provides a sensor, such as a biosensor, comprising at least one self-assembled monolayer (SAM) comprising analyte-sensitive groups, such as glucose-sensitive groups, attached to the surface of the outer wall of a carbon nanotube (CNT), such as a single-walled carbon nanotube (SWNT), by terminal groups, which bind to a thin layer of a metal or metal oxide, which has been deposited on the surface of the outer wall of the nanotube.

Abstract: Detection systems and methods for capturing and analyzing particles within a particle sample are provided. The detection system may include, for example, a particle concentrator that can be used to collect and concentrate particles on a sample collection surface, an energy source for providing energy to induce fluorescence in the particles, and a detector for detecting at least some fluorescence induced in the particles by the energy source. The detection system may include a heater and/or cooler for controlling the temperature of the particle sample during testing.