Abstract:
An assembly for monitoring an environment includes a RFID tag and a sensing unit. The sensing unit is configured to be activated by a RF signal received by the RFID tag and to sense information regarding an environment.
Abstract:
A method for tailoring at least portions of an exposed non-planar layered surface of a conductive layer formed on a substrate having a first surface roughness to provide the exposed surface with a second surface roughness. The method includes: forming the conductive layer on the substrate; and tailoring at least portions of the exposed surface of the conductive layer in a plasma to at least smooth the exposed surface of the conductive layer, whereby the second surface roughness is essentially the same as the first surface roughness.
Abstract:
Surface photovoltage is used for molecule sensing. The sensing is performed by exposing a surface of a semiconductor to molecules, and sensing a change in surface photovoltage of the semiconductor. Chemical and biological sensors may be based on such sensing.
Abstract:
A method is provided for fabricating molecular electronic devices comprising at least a bottom electrode and a molecular switch film on the bottom electrode. The method includes forming the bottom electrode by a process including: cleaning portions of the substrate where the bottom electrode is to be deposited; pre-sputtering the portions; depositing a conductive layer on at least the portions; and cleaning the top surface of the conductive layer. Advantageously, the conductive electrode properties include: low or controlled oxide formation (or possibly passivated), high melting point, high bulk modulus, and low diffusion. Smooth deposited film surfaces are compatible with Langmuir-Blodgett molecular film deposition. Tailored surfaces are further useful for SAM deposition. The metallic nature gives high conductivity connection to molecules. Barrier layers may be added to the device stack, i.e., Al2O3 over the conductive layer.
Abstract:
A method is provided for fabricating molecular electronic devices comprising at least a bottom electrode and a molecular switch film on the bottom electrode. The method includes forming the bottom electrode by a process including: cleaning portions of the substrate where the bottom electrode is to be deposited; pre-sputtering the portions; depositing a conductive layer on at least the portions; and cleaning the top surface of the conductive layer. Advantageously, the conductive electrode properties include: low or controlled oxide formation (or possibly passivated), high melting point, high bulk modulus, and low diffusion. Smooth deposited film surfaces are compatible with Langmuir-Blodgett molecular film deposition. Tailored surfaces are further useful for SAM deposition. The metallic nature gives high conductivity connection to molecules. Barrier layers may be added to the device stack, i.e., Al2O3 over the conductive layer.
Abstract:
An optical sensor is provided, comprising (a) a silicon nanowire of finite length having an electrical contact pad at each end thereof; and (b) a plurality of self-assembled molecules on a surface of the silicon nanowire, the molecules serving to modulate electrical conductivity of the silicon nanowire by either a reversible change in dipole moment of the molecules or by a reversible molecule-assisted electron/energy transfer from the molecules onto the silicon nanowire. Further, a method of making the optical sensor is provided. The concept of molecular self-assembly is applied in attaching functional molecules onto silicon nanowire surfaces, and the requirement of molecule modification (hydroxy group in molecules) is minimal from the point view of synthetic difficulty and compatibility. Self-assembly will produce well-ordered ultra-thin films with strong chemical bonding on a surface that cannot be easily achieved by other conventional methods.
Abstract:
A double-grating surface-enhanced Raman spectrometer. The spectrometer includes a substrate; a plurality of nanofingers carried by the substrate, the nanofingers arranged to define a first optical grating; a light source oriented to project a beam of light toward the first optical grating; a second optical grating oriented to receive a beam of light scattered from the first optical grating; and a detector oriented to receive a beam of light scattered from the second optical grating.
Abstract:
The present invention provides an application of Metrnl protein in preparing a hypolipidemic, hypoglycemic medicine or dietary supplement. The present invention further provides a method for preparing a mouse with fat-specific overexpression of Metrnl.
Abstract:
In a method of fabricating an apparatus for use in a sensing application, a plurality of nano-fingers are formed on a substrate and a Raman-active material nano-particle is formed on respective tips of the nano-fingers. In addition, the Raman-active material nano-particles on the tips of adjacent ones of the nano-fingers are caused to come into contact with the Raman-active material nano-particle on the tip of at least another one of the plurality of nano-fingers to form respective clusters and the clusters of Raman-active material nano-particles are transferred to a component layer from the plurality of nano-fingers while maintaining a spatial relationship between the contacting Raman-active material nano-particles.
Abstract:
An apparatus includes a substrate and a plurality of nano-fingers attached at respective first ends to the substrate and freely movable along their lengths, in which a first set of the plurality of nano-fingers comprises a first physical characteristic, wherein a second set of the plurality of nano-fingers comprises a second physical characteristic, and wherein the first physical characteristic differs from the second physical characteristic.