摘要:
Systems and methods for detecting the presence of biomolecules in a sample using biosensors that incorporate resonators which have functionalized surfaces for reacting with target biomolecules. In one embodiment, a device includes a piezoelectric resonator having a functionalized surface configured to react with target molecules, thereby changing the mass and/or charge of the resonator which consequently changes the frequency response of the resonator. The resonator's frequency response after exposure to a sample is compared to a reference, such as the frequency response before exposure to the sample, a stored baseline frequency response or a control resonator's frequency response.
摘要:
The methods and apparatus 100, disclosed herein are of use for sequencing 150 and/or identifying 160 proteins 230, 310, polypeptides 230, 310 or peptides 230, 310. Proteins 230, 310 containing labeled amino acid residues may be synthesized and passed through nanopores 255, 330. A detector 257, 345 operably coupled to a nanopore 255, 330 may detect labeled amino acid residues as they pass through the nanopore 255, 330. Distance maps 140 for each type of labeled amino acid residue may be compiled. The distance maps 140 may be used to sequence 150 and/or identify 160 the protein 230, 310. In different embodiments of the invention, amino acid residues labeled with luminescent labels 235, 245 or nanoparticles 315 may be detected using photodetectors 257 or electrical detectors 345. Apparatus 100 of use for protein 230, 310 sequencing 150 and/or identification 160 are also disclosed herein.
摘要:
The methods, apparatus and systems disclosed herein concern ordered arrays of carbon nanotubes. In particular embodiments of the invention, the nanotube arrays are formed by a method comprising attaching catalyst nanoparticles 140, 230 to polymer 120, 210 molecules, attaching the polymer 120, 210 molecules to a substrate, removing the polymer 120, 210 molecules and producing carbon nanotubes on the catalyst nanoparticles 140, 230. The polymer 120, 210 molecules can be attached to the substrate in ordered patterns, using self-assembly or molecular alignment techniques. The nanotube arrays can be attached to selected areas 110, 310 of the substrate. Within the selected areas 110, 310, the nanotubes are distributed non-randomly. Other embodiments disclosed herein concern apparatus that include ordered arrays of nanotubes attached to a substrate and systems that include ordered arrays of carbon nanotubes attached to a substrate, produced by the claimed methods. In certain embodiments, provided herein are methods for aligning a molecular wire, by ligating the molecular wire to a double stranded DNA molecule.
摘要:
The methods and apparatus disclosed herein concern nucleic acid sequencing by enhanced Raman spectroscopy. In certain embodiments of the invention, nucleotides are covalently attached to Raman labels before incorporation into a nucleic acid. In other embodiments, unlabeled nucleic acids are used. Exonuclease treatment of the nucleic acid results in the release of labeled or unlabeled nucleotides that are detected by Raman spectroscopy. In alternative embodiments of the invention, nucleotides released from a nucleic acid by exonuclease treatment are covalently cross-linked to nanoparticles and detected by surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS), surface enhanced resonance Raman spectroscopy (SERRS) and/or coherent anti-Stokes Raman spectroscopy (CARS). Other embodiments of the invention concern apparatus for nucleic acid sequencing.
摘要:
An actuator including a pneumatically distended elastomer membrane that is pressurized and depressurized using electrostatically actuated flap valves laminated onto a printed circuit board. The flap valves close only at zero pressure gradients and flows so that elevated closing and hold-off pressures are achieved. Fluid expelled from the elastomer membranes during collapse are vented through a wall of the actuator. An air jet object mover utilizes an array of the pneumatic actuators as valves to open and close air jet vents. A fiber optic micro-switch utilizes pneumatic actuators to position a mirror.
摘要:
Distributed market based analog control of a system of actuators and sensors. The system is comprised of one or more producing units having an output responsive to a market price and one or more input units having an input responsive to a market price. Market price information is communicated through an information channel that is encoded as measurable changes in non-electrical partitionable physical properties. Such partitionable physical properties include pressure, thermal, chemical or acoustic properties.
摘要:
A microsensor including a VCSEL for use in a MEMS. By coupling the top mirror of the VCSEL to the micromechanical structure, either directly or indirectly, the motion of the micromechanical structure in response to a physical phenomenon can directly modulate the wavelength of the light emitted from the VCSEL. Also, a method for sensing and transmitting information about the configuration or motion of a mechanical structure. The method includes coupling the top mirror of a VCSEL to the mechanical structure that directly encodes information about the motion into the frequency of light emitted by the VCSEL.
摘要:
A valve array for supporting objects such as paper with controlled fluid flow is disclosed. Optional valve arrays can be used to controllably eject marking agents for marking or coating a paper or other suitable substrate. Each valve in the valve array has one or more flap elements positioned in a valve chamber. These flap elements are movable to alternatively block the fluid flow through valve chamber outlets with the aid of various catch mechanisms for controllably latching the flap elements. The catch mechanisms have a disabled state and an activated state for holding and allowing release of the flap elements. Once the catch mechanism are disabled, the flap elements are free to move to another position, provided they can overcome the mechanical fluid flow forces that tend to hold it in position. To counter and utilize such forces for moving the flap elements, an impulse mechanism kicks the flap element into the valve chamber, away from the catch mechanisms. Since the position of the flap elements is unstable, oscillations of the flap elements in the fluid flow will eventually bring the flap element into catchment range of another catch mechanism in an activated state.
摘要:
A system of partially transparent light beam detectors that allow passage of the light beam through the detector allows multiple detectors that use the same reference light beam. Transparent detectors can be position sensitive detectors (PSD), photodiode arrays, or CCD imaging arrays. The detectors are attached to vibration susceptible structural elements, with detected movement of the light beam with respect to the partially transparent light beam detectors corresponding to movement of the vibration susceptible structural element.
摘要:
In certain embodiments of the invention, a plurality of images of one or more subjects may be captured using different imaging techniques, such as different modalities of scanning probe microscopy. Parameters may be estimated from the plurality of images, using one or more models of known molecular structures to provide a model-based analysis. The estimated parameters may be fused, with further input from physical models of known molecular structures. The fused parameters may be used to characterize the subjects. Such characterization may include the detection and/or identification of specific molecular structures, such as proteins, peptides and/or nucleic acids of known sequence and/or structure. In some embodiments of the invention the structural characterizations may be used to identify previously unknown properties of a subject molecule.