Abstract: The invention provides for a material characterization system, method, and instrumentation for measuring the mechanical properties of nano-scale thin films. The thin film mechanical characterization system, method, and instrumentation of the present invention for ultra-thin films includes a motor and load cell. The instrumentation device includes a bath that can be filled or used with liquid so that a thin film can float via the surface tension and can be stretched until permanent deformation occurs, while recording the amount of force applied by the motor and other parameters. Further, the invention provides a process that transfers the nano-scale thin film to the tensile testing instrument and a process to obtain the physical mechanical properties of thin films that are at the nanoscale level.

Abstract: The monitoring and control of bioprocesses is provided. More particularly, the present disclosure is directed to formulating buffer products from multiple buffer solutions for feeding the different operations occurring within a bioprocess line. As the buffer product is being formulated, the buffer product is tested for conductivity, refractive index, and optionally pH. The conductivity measurements are used in conjunction with refractive index measurements to ensure that the buffer product not only has the correct concentration of ions but also has the correct concentration of components. A controller can be used to make automatic adjustments to the buffer product should any of the measured parameters fall outside a preset range.

Abstract: Composition and electrode for phosphate sensing. In one embodiment, the composition includes a first component, a second component, and a third component. The first component is selected from a group consisting of cobalt oxide nanoparticles, tin (IV) chloride, diphenyl tin dichloride, and ammonium molybdate. The second component includes graphene oxide or reduced graphene oxide. The third component includes pyrrole or polypyrrole.

Abstract: A method for determining a phosphate concentration in a water sample includes providing the water sample, adding a first acid to the water sample to obtain a second water sample in which a concentration of the first acid is at least 0.5 wt.-%, performing a first photometric measurement of the second water sample, adding a coloring component to the second water sample to obtain a third water sample, performing a second photometric measurement of the third water sample, and calculating the phosphate concentration from a difference between the first photometric measurement and the second photometric measurement.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are embodiments of a compound that can be used as a supramolecular sensor for determining the presence of analytes (e.g., illicit drugs), and for identifying and/or quantifying the analytes. Also disclosed herein is a parallel synthesis method for making compound embodiments, as well as method embodiments for using the compound embodiments. Array embodiments comprising one or more compound embodiments disclosed herein also are described.

Abstract: A kit for cleaning and coating a tip of a test probe in an integrated circuit package test system is provided. The kit comprises a transfer stamp having a porous material impregnated with a phosphonic acid solution. The size and shape of the transfer stamp approximate those of the integrated circuit package being tested. Also provided is a method of cleaning and coating a tip of a test probe in an integrated circuit package test system. The method includes aligning the test system with a transfer stamp comprising a porous material that is impregnated with a phosphonic acid solution; pushing the test probe into the porous material to coat the tip with the phosphonic acid solution; removing the test probe; and allowing the phosphonic acid solution to dry on the tip of the test probe and form a self-assembled monolayer of phosphonates thereon. A test probe is also provided.

Abstract: Derivatives of BODIPY with improved properties (such as longer Stokes shift relative to existing fluorophores) are disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are reagents that include a moiety that includes a metal such as titanium and that readily binds to phosphorylated molecules the reagents also include at least one moiety that produces a signal or that binds to a molecule that produces a signal. The reagent may also include a moiety that binds to a larger molecule or to a surface. Some forms of the reagent include a dendrimer that can simultaneously bind to multiple metal moieties that include a metal such as titanium and multiple moieties that can be used to detected bound molecules. These reagents can be used in detection and/or measurement and/or at least partial purification of phosphorylated molecules. These reagents and methods using them are used to analyze proteins, polypeptides, nucleic acids, phospholipids and the like. They are readily adapted for use in gels, blots, plate based high through put assays and for mass spectrometry.

Abstract: Dicationic liquid salts and methods of using such dicationic liquid salts in techniques such as ESI-MS are provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to gas sensors using doped ferroelectric materials. The sensors can be fabricated as an array where different portions of the array can operate at different independently controlled temperatures to detect different gas phase components of a gas sample. Preferred embodiments can be used for the diagnosis of conditions, such as, diabetes.

Abstract: Certain embodiments of the present invention relate to the preparation of microbeads that exhibit a “turn on” fluorescence response within seconds of exposure to an analyte vapor (e.g., a chemical warfare agent or a reactive stimulant). This sensing approach is modeled after the mechanism for inhibition of acetylcholinesterase enzyme activity, and utilizes a specific and irreversible reaction between phosphonyl halides and a fluorescent indicator. The present invention also relates to a sensor and a method for sensing an analyte through detection of changes in the fluorescing properties of the inventive microbeads.

Abstract: A photoconductive sensor compound for detecting explosives can have a structure I: where R is a morphology control group, A is a linking group, B is a electron donor that is selective for transferring electrons to PTCDI backbone upon irradiation to make the resulting nanostructures conductive, and R1 through R8 are side groups.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for isolating a target molecule from a sample. In an embodiment, the method involves contacting a sample with a capture agent, the agent comprising a siderophore and a transition metal cation, under conditions wherein the agent is capable of binding a target molecule to form a target molecule-capture agent complex, wherein the target molecule is selected from the group consisting of a phosphorylated molecule, a nitrotyrosine-containing molecule and a sulfated molecule, and separating the target molecule-capture agent complex from the sample, thereby isolating the target molecule from the sample. Also provided are methods for determining the presence of a target molecule in a sample, that involve contacting a sample with a capture agent, the agent comprising a siderophore and a transition metal cation.

Abstract: An endometriosis diagnostic in which a biological sample of a female mammal having had a menstrual cycle within 90 days of the biological sample having been obtained from the female mammal is subjected to an in vitro diagnostic procedure in which the biological sample is contacted with an apatite compound for an effective time to provide a responsive visual appearance. Based on the visual appearance, a determination is made whether the female mammal has endometriosis.

Abstract: The compositions and methods relate to an organic polymer-inorganic particle sensor material for detecting analytes. Interactions between the polymer and the particles are affected by the presence of analyte, which displaces the polymer and increases its free volume. This change in free volume can be detected, e.g., using an embedded piezoresistive microcantilever (EPM) sensor. Analytes that can be detected include noxious substances, such as hydrogen cyanide gas and carbon monoxide.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method for quick and simultaneous determination of 16 inorganic anions and organic acids in tobacco by ion chromatography The retention behavior of inorganic anions and organic acids on the anion exchange column was investigated using potassium hydroxide produced by EGC-II KOH eluent autogenerator as eluent. The optimized gradient elution condition was obtained. The samples were prepared through extraction, filtration and dilution before analysis. The separation was performed on an anion exchange column. The time of the gradient elution program was 50 mins. Under the optimized conditions, the calibration of peak area for all the analytes were linear in the ranges of 105. The method in the present invention has the advantages of simplicity, rapidity and accuracy, and is able to simultaneously determine 16 inorganic anions and organic acids in tobacco by one single time of injection.

Abstract: A method of monitoring a surfactant in a microelectronic process is disclosed. Specifically, the monitoring of a surfactant occurs by studying the fluorescence or electromagnetic emission of a sample collected from a microelectronic process.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a fluoride distillation apparatus and a method for quantifying sodium monofluorophosphate among fluorides using the same, which increases the acid resistance of the hard tissues of the teeth and promotes remineralization of initial caries lesion.

Abstract: A detection kit comprises a plurality of swabs, each of the plurality of swabs having the form of a stick, being bundled together in a single test kit for detection of a plurality of chemical compounds. A user opens a detection kit, swabs a surface or surfaces with the bundled sticks, collecting chemical constituents to be tested on detection surfaces of each of the plurality of sticks. Liquids, mists, vapors and powders may be tested in one method, utilizing one or more dry reagents on the detection surfaces. The sticks may comprise a volume of fluid, releasably contained within the sticks, such that when activated, a fluid, such as a reagent or solvent, is wicked by a wicking tip to the detection surface of the stick. For example, a mechanism is provided that is capable of breaking a vial or ampoule containing the fluid, when activated by a twisting motion or compression. Adhesive may be present on one or more of the detection surfaces.

Abstract: A dinuclear zinc complex PPi sensor is provided, that may be represented by the formula where X is hydrogen, —COOEt, —CH?CH2, —OR, or —NR2, wherein X is a monovalent organic group having from 1 to about 20 carbon atoms. A method of preparing the dinuclear zinc complex PPi sensor is also provided. Methods for detecting PPi in an aqueous solution and methods for pyrosequencing by using the dinuclear zinc complex are described.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device (10) for detection of harmful substances with a measurement unit (28) for measuring at least one harmful substance and an evaluation unit (30) for determining the concentration of the at least one harmful substance. The invention also relates to a method for detecting harmful substances in a gas mixture. It is hereby provided that the gas mixture is tested for a gaseous harmful substance or simultaneously for several gaseous harmful substances, wherein the gaseous harmful substance or the gaseous harmful substances is/are measured with different sensor means, and the gaseous harmful substances are optionally chemically modified such that a measurement is performed with the existing sensor means.

Abstract: This invention provides methods for to the use of the difference in phosphodiester (PDE)/phosphomonoester (PME) ratio in biological fluids, as an analytical criterion to image both the presence and degree of viral infection in-vivo.

Abstract: A multi-purpose reagent composition is used for simultaneously determining concentrations of at least two analytes in a water sample. The two analytes are selected from the group consisting of free chlorine, pH, anionic polymer, and phosphates. In one embodiment, the multi-purpose reagent composition is for simultaneously determining the concentration of free chlorine and pH and comprises a free chlorine sensitive dye and pH indicator. In another embodiment, the reagent composition is for simultaneously determining of free chlorine and anionic polymer and includes a free chlorine sensitive dye, a pH buffer, cationic dye, and organic co-solvent. Thus, the pairs of free chlorine and pH or free chlorine and anionic polymer are determined using a single reagent composition. The reagent composition can also be the main reagent for one analyte analysis when it is used alone and also function as an ancillary reagent when it is combined with a second reagent composition for the determination of another analyte.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method for quick and simultaneous determination of 16 inorganic anions and organic acids in tobacco by ion chromatography The retention behavior of inorganic anions and organic acids on the anion exchange column was investigated using potassium hydroxide produced by EGC-II KOH eluent autogenerator as eluent. The optimized gradient elution condition was obtained. The samples were prepared through extraction, filtration and dilution before analysis. The separation was performed on an anion exchange column. The time of the gradient elution program was 50 mins. Under the optimized conditions, the calibration of peak area for all the analytes were linear in the ranges of 105. The method in the present invention has the advantadges of simplicity, rapidity and accuracy, and is able to simultaneously determine 16 inorganic anions and organic acids in tobacco by one single time of injection.

Abstract: The present invention provides a device for the detection of a peroxide-based explosive, in particular, triacetone triperoxide (TATP), which is based on a molecular controlled semiconductor resistor (MOCSER) and composed of at least one insulating or semi-insulating layer, at least one conducting semiconductor layer, two conducting pads and a layer of multifunctional organic molecules capable of adsorbing molecules of the peroxide-based explosive. The invention further provides an array of semiconductor devices for the selective detection of a peroxide-based explosive, as well as a method for the selective detection of vapors of a peroxide-based explosive in a gaseous mixture using this array.

Abstract: A paint that warns of radiological or chemical substances comprising a paint operatively connected to the surface, an indicator material carried by the paint that provides an indication of the radiological or chemical substances, and a thermo-activation material carried by the paint. In one embodiment, a method of warning of radiological or chemical substances comprising the steps of painting a surface with an indicator material, and monitoring the surface for indications of the radiological or chemical substances. In another embodiment, a paint is operatively connected to a vehicle and an indicator material is carried by the paint that provides an indication of the radiological or chemical substances.

Abstract: The present invention relates to biosensors. In some embodiments, the biosensors are modified ligand binding molecules. In some embodiments, the modified ligand binding molecule is a phosphate binding protein (PBP). In some embodiments, the modified ligand binding molecules are labeled to be capable of RET, e.g., comprising a donor and acceptor moiety. In some embodiments of the invention, there is a detectable change in RET (e.g., FRET) when the modified ligand binding molecule binds and/or releases the ligand (e.g., phosphate). The invention also provides related methods, reactions and assays.

Abstract: A system for warning of corrosion, chemical, or radiological substances. The system comprises painting a surface with a paint or coating that includes an indicator material and monitoring the surface for indications of the corrosion, chemical, or radiological substances.

Abstract: A method of monitoring a surfactant in a microelectronic process is disclosed. Specifically, the monitoring of a surfactant occurs by studying the absorbance of a sample collected from a microelectronic process.

Abstract: The present invention provides dyes and labeled reagents that may be used in the detection or quantification of desirable target molecules, such as proteins, nucleic acids and cellular organelles. Dyes are provided that may be used free in solution where the binding of the dye to the target molecule provides signal generation. Dyes provided in this invention can comprise reactive groups that may be used to attach the dyes to probes that will bind to desirable target molecules. The novel dyes of the present invention have been substituted with specific groups to provide beneficial properties.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a sensor material for detecting molecular contaminants, including the steps of: providing an aqueous solution of a metal oxide precursor; mixing titanium dioxide nanotubes with the aqueous solution of the metal oxide to form a mixture; adjusting a pH value of the mixture with a weak base until the pH value is neutral; dispersing the mixture in water and heating the mixture; and filtering the mixture to retain a solid part, and calcining the solid part under a continuous flow of oxygen to form metal oxide loaded titanium dioxide nanotubes. The disclosure also provides a sensor material and a detecting method using the sensor material for ppm-ppb-ppt concentration level detection of molecular contaminants.

Abstract: A vapochromic gold-copper complex [AuL2(Cu(Y)n)2](X)3 exhibiting luminescence is provided, where L is an N-heterocyclic carbene; Y is a heteroatom-containing ligand; X is an anion, and n is an integer having a value of 1 or 2, and solvates thereof. A reaction of [AuL2(Cu(Y)n)2](X)3 with water vapor or an organic compound vapor, for example, affords a modified complex that yields a change in luminescence color under UV excitation. These tricationic vapochromic materials exhibit large changes in the emission through ligand substitution reactions between the solid complex and vapors, which permit use in luminescent vapochromic sensors.

Abstract: The invention provides an electrode comprising an electrically conductive material having a surface capable of producing surface enhanced Raman scattering of incident light from a complex adsorbed at the surface of the electrode, the complex including the electrically conductive material combined with a second material that is substantially reducible and not substantially oxidizable. The surface of the electrode can be microroughened. The invention also includes a method for making various embodiments of the electrode, and a method of generating electricity using the electrode. In accordance with a further aspect of the invention, a fuel cell is provided including the electrode of the invention.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a fluoride distillation apparatus and a method for quantifying sodium monofluorophosphate among fluorides using the same, which increases the acid resistance of the hard tissues of the teeth and promotes remineralization of initial caries lesion.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the validation of a non-particulate adsorbent by secondary reaction and a kit for the validation of a non-particulate adsorbent by secondary reaction.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods and compositions for the rapid detection of small ligands, such as cyanide, carbon monoxide or azide, in small quantities. Specifically, metmyoglobin is used to bind small ligands which yield a product with a characteristic absorbance spectrum that is detectable and quantifiable. Also disclosed is a kit for detecting small ligands with metmyoglobin, which is portable and provides for practice of the invention without the use of harsh solvents or chemical reagents.

Abstract: The disclosure provides a method for quantitatively determining risedronate in a urine sample by adding an internal standard to the urine sample, applying the urine sample to a polymeric water-wettable reverse-phased sorbent preconditioned with methanol, washing the sorbent with TEA in water and formic acid in methanol, eluting risedronate with a mixture of methanol and water containing EDTA under vacuum, evaporating the eluted solution and reconstituting with a mixture of methanol and NH4OH buffer and analyzing the sample with a LC-MS/MS system.

Abstract: A paint that warns of radiological or chemical substances comprising a paint operatively connected to the surface, an indicator material carried by the paint that provides an indication of the radiological or chemical substances, and a thermo-activation material carried by the paint. In one embodiment, a method of warning of radiological or chemical substances comprising the steps of painting a surface with an indicator material, and monitoring the surface for indications of the radiological or chemical substances. In another embodiment, a paint is operatively connected to a vehicle and an indicator material is carried by the paint that provides an indication of the radiological or chemical substances.

Abstract: A system for warning of corrosion, chemical, or radiological substances. The system comprises painting a surface with a paint or coating that includes an indicator material and monitoring the surface for indications of the corrosion, chemical, or radiological substances.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for measuring a phosphoric acid and/or a phosphate in a sample simply and rapidly with high sensitivity. Specifically disclosed is a method for electrochemically measuring a phosphoric acid and/or a phosphate ester, which is characterized by measuring PO43? produced through a chemical reaction of a phosphate, more specifically by measuring the redox response current between PO43? and HPO42?.

Abstract: A compound which captures a multisite phosphorylated peptide or protein specifically to a phosphorylation site and a method for detecting the peptide or protein using the compound. Particularly, a compound which specifically detects an excessively phosphorylated tau protein observed in the brain affected by Alzheimer's disease and a method for diagnosing Alzheimer's disease in vitro or in vivo using the compound are provided. By bringing a metal complex compound having two dipicolylamine (Dpa) moieties and a spacer including a chromogenic or luminescent functional or atom group into contact with a multisite phosphorylated peptide or protein, the compound recognizes the distance between phosphate groups and specifically binds to the peptide or protein, and a multisite phosphorylated peptide or protein or kinase activity is optically detected by measuring the change, or a multisite phosphorylated peptide or protein or kinase activity is imaged by an optical imaging method applying the change in luminescence.

Abstract: A sensor made from a metal salt film, formed on a set of monitoring electrodes, by evaporation of a metal salt aqueous solution disposed on the electrodes, is used for detecting a weak acid. Low concentrations of the weak acid, such as ten ppm, are indicated as the conductivity of the film changes by several orders of magnitude, as a result of reaction of the weak acid with the metal salt, as the metal salt converts to a metal reaction product upon exposure to the weak acid.

Abstract: Disclosed are magnetic nanosensors or transducers that permit measurement of a physical parameter in an analyte via magnetic reasonance measurements, in particular of non-agglomerative assays. More particularly, in certain embodiments, the invention relates to designs of nanoparticle reagents and responsive polymer coated magnetic nanoparticles. Additionally provided are methods of use of nanoparticle reagents and responsive polymer coated magnetic nanoparticles for the detection of a stimulus or an analyte with NMR detectors.

Abstract: A device is disclosed for detecting at least one chemical compound comprising at least one carbon nanotube with several graphene layers, on which is grafted at least one molecule bearing group G1 capable of reacting with the chemical compound or a precursor of such a group G1. The uses and the method of making such a device is also disclosed.

Abstract: Provided are a method for preparing a standard sample in which a uniform dispersion of a predetermined concentration of red phosphorus is guaranteed even in a very small amount, and an analytical method for quantitatively determining red phosphorus contained in a resin by pyrolysis-GC/MS, in which the standard sample is used. The method for producing a standard sample for quantitatively determining red phosphorus contained in a resin includes the steps of preparing a red-phosphorus-containing compound by weighing a predetermined amount of red phosphorus and uniformly mixing the red phosphorus in a resin; decreasing the number of particles having a maximum diameter of 5 ?m or more to 1/20 or less of the number of particles having a maximum diameter of 1 ?m or more and less than 5 ?m by pulverizing the red-phosphorus-containing compound; and obtaining a standard sample by weighing about 0.05 to 10 mg, preferably about 0.1 to 0.5 mg of the pulverized red-phosphorus-containing compound.

Abstract: The present invention provides various methods and compositions which allow for determining the presence or amount of glyphosate, N-acetylglyphosate, N-acetyl AMPA or aminomethyl phosphoric acid (AMPA) and its various metabolites in a variety of test matrices. In one method, determining the presence or amount of N-acetylglyphosate and/or N-acetyl AMPA in a test sample comprises providing the test sample suspected of containing N-acetylglyphosate and/or N-acetyl AMPA; extracting the N-acetylglyphosate and/or N-acetyl AMPA from the test sample; and, detecting the N-acetylglyphosate and/or N-acetyl AMPA in the extract. In other methods, the presence or amount of at least one of glyphosate, N-acetylglyphosate, N-acetyl AMPA or aminomethyl phosphonic acid (AMPA) or a metabolite thereof in a test sample is determined.

Abstract: Method for determining the phosphorus content of an aqueous sample, in particular drainage-water sample, wherein the sample is subjected to thermal-oxidative decomposition and the orthophosphate content of the decomposed sample is determined photometrically in an aqueous analysis solution, such that the thermal decomposition is carried out in a single step by catalyzer-free burning of the sample as batch-decomposition in a combustion oven, the resulting combustion gas is transferred out of the combustion oven in a carrier-gas stream and the combustion/carrier gas stream is cooled to obtain the aqueous analysis solution as a condensate therefrom.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and compositions for detecting, identifying and measuring the abundance of chemical nerve agents. Methods and compositions of the present invention are capable of providing selective detection of phosphorous based nerve agents, such as nerve agents that are esters of methyl phosphonic acid derivatives incorporating a moderately good leaving group at the phosphorus. Selectivity in the present invention is provided by a sensor composition having an alpha (?) effect nucleophile group that undergoes specific nucleophilic substitution and rearrangement reactions with phosphorus based nerve agents having a tetrahederal phosphorous bound to oxygen. The present invention includes embodiments employing a sensor composition further comprising a reporter group covalently linked to the alpha effect nucleophile group allowing rapid optical readout of nerve agent detection events, including direct visual readout and optical readout via spectroscopic analysis.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide: a novel thiol-detecting reagent, which can be used in vivo and which solves the problem regarding the generation of background fluorescence due to hydrolysis; and a method for detecting thiol using the aforementioned reagent. The present invention provides a compound represented by the following formula (1): wherein each R2 independently represents an alkyl group containing 1 to 6 carbon atoms, a halogen atom, or a hydrogen atom.

Abstract: The present invention relates to biosensors. In some embodiments, the biosensors are modified ligand binding molecules. In some embodiments, the modified ligand binding molecule is a phosphate binding protein (PBP). In some embodiments, the modified ligand binding molecules are labeled to be capable of RET, e.g., comprising a donor and acceptor moiety. In some embodiments of the invention, there is a detectable change in RET (e.g., FRET) when the modified ligand binding molecule binds and/or releases the ligand (e.g., phosphate). The invention also provides related methods, reactions and assays.