Techniques in Optical Coherence and Resonance for Sensing

Optical sensors are ubiquitous for their precision and non-contact acquisition, and have enjoyed widespread use in applications such as biosensing, environmental monitoring, and security. Despite their sensitivity, many of these sensors rely on costly laboratory instrumentation, and are not adaptable to the ever-growing volume of consumer detectors and optics that are readily available, making their application limited to benchtop analytics. This work leverages plasmonic resonances and optical coherence phenomena to make modifications upon traditional sensing formats that improve their sensitivity when deployed in off-the-shelf optical systems. In particular, we demonstrate that label-free plasmonic sensors can be combined with electrochemical impedance spectroscopic biosensors to tackle the problem of specificity in label-free sesning, demonstrate the novel use case for the plasmonic detection of thermal infrared radiation, and show that plasmonic imaging is conducive to the characterization of nanometric thin liquid films. Moreover, we show that by introducing limited dispersion to Fourier transform spectroscopy, we can efficiently use camera detector formats and imaging systems to implement a high resolution scan-less Fourier transform spectrometer. By improving the figures of merit for sensor devices, we aim to translate traditional analytical sensing instrumentation from the laboratory benchtop into the consumer marketplace, and to spearhead a host of new applications

Microelectromechanical Systems and Devices

The advances of microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) and devices have been instrumental in the demonstration of new devices and applications, and even in the creation of new fields of research and development: bioMEMS, actuators, microfluidic devices, RF and optical MEMS. Experience indicates a need for MEMS book covering these materials as well as the most important process steps in bulk micro-machining and modeling. We are very pleased to present this book that contains 18 chapters, written by the experts in the field of MEMS. These chapters are groups into four broad sections of BioMEMS Devices, MEMS characterization and micromachining, RF and Optical MEMS, and MEMS based Actuators. The book starts with the emerging field of bioMEMS, including MEMS coil for retinal prostheses, DNA extraction by micro/bio-fluidics devices and acoustic biosensors. MEMS characterization, micromachining, macromodels, RF and Optical MEMS switches are discussed in next sections. The book concludes with the emphasis on MEMS based actuators

NASA Tech Briefs, May 2012

Topics covered include: An "Inefficient Fin" Non-Dimensional Parameter to Measure Gas Temperatures Efficiently; On-Wafer Measurement of a Multi-Stage MMIC Amplifier with 10 dB of Gain at 475 GHz; Software to Control and Monitor Gas Streams; Miniaturized Laser Heterodyne Radiometer (LHR) for Measurements of Greenhouse Gases in the Atmospheric Column; Anomaly Detection in Test Equipment via Sliding Mode Observers; Absolute Position of Targets Measured Through a Chamber Window Using Lidar Metrology Systems; Goldstone Solar System Radar Waveform Generator; Fast and Adaptive Lossless Onboard Hyperspectral Data Compression System; Iridium Interfacial Stack - IrIS; Downsampling Photodetector Array with Windowing; Optical Phase Recovery and Locking in a PPM Laser Communication Link; High-Speed Edge-Detecting Line Scan Smart Camera; Optical Communications Channel Combiner; Development of Thermal Infrared Sensor to Supplement Operational Land Imager; Amplitude-Stabilized Oscillator for a Capacitance-Probe Electrometer; Automated Performance Characterization of DSN System Frequency Stability Using Spacecraft Tracking Data; Histogrammatic Method for Determining Relative Abundance of Input Gas Pulse; Predictive Sea State Estimation for Automated Ride Control and Handling - PSSEARCH; LEGION: Lightweight Expandable Group of Independently Operating Nodes; Real-Time Projection to Verify Plan Success During Execution; Automated Performance Characterization of DSN System Frequency Stability Using Spacecraft Tracking Data; Web-Based Customizable Viewer for Mars Network Overflight Opportunities; Fabrication of a Cryogenic Terahertz Emitter for Bolometer Focal Plane Calibrations; Fabrication of an Absorber-Coupled MKID Detector; Graphene Transparent Conductive Electrodes for Next- Generation Microshutter Arrays; Method of Bonding Optical Elements with Near-Zero Displacement; Free-Mass and Interface Configurations of Hammering Mechanisms; Wavefront Compensation Segmented Mirror Sensing and Control; Long-Life, Lightweight, Multi-Roller Traction Drives for Planetary Vehicle Surface Exploration; Reliable Optical Pump Architecture for Highly Coherent Lasers Used in Space Metrology Applications; Electrochemical Ultracapacitors Using Graphitic Nanostacks; Improved Whole-Blood-Staining Device; Monitoring Location and Angular Orientation of a Pill; Molecular Technique to Reduce PCR Bias for Deeper Understanding of Microbial Diversity; Laser Ablation Electrodynamic Ion Funnel for In Situ Mass Spectrometry on Mars; High-Altitude MMIC Sounding Radiometer for the Global Hawk Unmanned Aerial Vehicle; PRTs and Their Bonding for Long-Duration, Extreme-Temperature Environments; Mid- and Long-IR Broadband Quantum Well Photodetector; 3D Display Using Conjugated Multiband Bandpass Filters; Real-Time, Non-Intrusive Detection of Liquid Nitrogen in Liquid Oxygen at High Pressure and High Flow; Method to Enhance the Operation of an Optical Inspection Instrument Using Spatial Light Modulators; Dual-Compartment Inflatable Suitlock; Large-Strain Transparent Magnetoactive Polymer Nanocomposites; Thermodynamic Vent System for an On-Orbit Cryogenic Reaction Control Engine; Time Distribution Using SpaceWire in the SCaN Testbed on ISS; and Techniques for Solution- Assisted Optical Contacting

A Single-Molecule Bioelectronic Portable Array for Early Diagnosis of Pancreatic Cancer Precursors

A cohort of 47 patients is screened for pancreatic cancer precursors with a portable 96-well bioelectronic sensing-array for single-molecule assay in cysts fluid and blood plasma, deployable at point-of-care (POC). Pancreatic cancer precursors are mucinous cysts diagnosed with a sensitivity of at most 80% by state-of-the-art cytopathological molecular analyses (e.g., KRASmut DNA). Adding the simultaneous assay of proteins related to malignant transformation (e.g., MUC1 and CD55) is deemed essential to enhance diagnostic accuracy. The bioelectronic array proposed here, based on single-molecule-with-a-large-transistor (SiMoT) technology, can assay both nucleic acids and proteins at the single-molecule limit-of-identification (LOI) (1% of false-positives and false-negatives). It comprises an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)-like 8 × 12-array organic-electronics disposable cartridge with an electrolyte-gated organic transistor sensor array, and a reusable reader, integrating a custom Si-IC chip, operating via software installed on a USB-connected smart device. The cartridge is complemented by a 3D-printed sensing gate cover plate. KRASmut, MUC1, and CD55 biomarkers either in plasma or cysts-fluid from 5 to 6 patients at a time, are multiplexed at single-molecule LOI in 1.5 h. The pancreatic cancer precursors are classified via a machine-learning analysis resulting in at least 96% diagnostic-sensitivity and 100% diagnostic-specificity. This preliminary study opens the way to POC liquid-biopsy-based early diagnosis of pancreatic-cancer precursors in plasma

Selected Papers from the 9th World Congress on Industrial Process Tomography

Industrial process tomography (IPT) is becoming an important tool for Industry 4.0. It consists of multidimensional sensor technologies and methods that aim to provide unparalleled internal information on industrial processes used in many sectors. This book showcases a selection of papers at the forefront of the latest developments in such technologies

Electrochemical generation-collection sensors for bioanalysis

Electrochemical generation-collection devices have potential for application in a wide range of analytical devices, both as free standing sensor systems and as components in analytical systems such as high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) or flow injection analysis (FIA). The underlying principle is that an electrochemical reaction on one element is used to generate some chemical species which is then transported by diffusion or diffusion and convection to a second electrode where the electrochemical reaction is reversed. The fraction collected is a function of device geometry, operating conditions, any reaction of the generated species in bulk solution and mass transport. This thesis describes the construction of generation-collection sensors comprising coplanar inlaid microelectrodes of different size and shape: ring-disc and disc-disc in sizes ranging from 10 m to 100 m. Fabrication techniques including sputter-coating and embedding of wires were developed and are described. The sensors were characterised using scanning electron microscopy and their electrochemical characterisation was achieved using reversible outer sphere redox couples including ferrocene derivatives, ruthenium hexaammine (III/II) and ferro/ferricyanide. Experimental data are given for the effects of geometry, size and generator current density, particularly where this would affect the uniformity of the flux. Tests were also undertaken in specially built flow cells to assess their viability for application in FIA and LC detection. Where possible, performance in both the steady state and transient mode were compared with numerical and analytical models. Three specific bioanalytical applications were investigated and are described: (i) detection of peptides and amino acids using electrochemically generated bromine/ hypobromite (ii) electrochemical biuret detection and (iii) determination of titratable acidity and alkalinity (buffer capacity). Results for (i) showed more complex behaviour with the Pt-Pt dual microelectrode than that has been reported for macroelectrodes under similar system. Voltammetric results are reported. Electrochemical biuret systems showed less improvement in sensitivity with the generation-collection mode to small peptide molecules. For the buffer capacity sensor, both disc-disc and ring-disc geometries were investigated in a range of sizes 25 to 75 m for the disc and approximately 1 m for the ring. A pH sensitive surface was prepared by the deposition of hydrated iridium oxide on gold. Local pH changes were effect by electrolysis of the buffer solution. Experimental works emphasised the importance of controlling the current density to ensure that buffer capacity was not exceeded. An analytical model was of great use in optimising the device. Results are reported for various buffer systems comparing experiments with steady-state theory.Open Acces