Abstract:
A semiconductor device capable of enhanced sub-bandgap photon absorption and detection is described. This semiconductor device includes a p-n junction structure formed of a semiconductor material, wherein the p-n junction structure is configured such that at least one side of the p-n junction (p-side or n-side) is spatially confined in at least one dimension of the device (e.g., the direction perpendicular to the p-n junction interface). Moreover, at least one side of the p-n junction (p-side or n-side) is heavily doped. The semiconductor device also includes electrical contacts formed on a semiconductor substrate to apply an electrical bias to the p-n junction to activate the optical response at target optical wavelength corresponds to an energy substantially equal to or less than the energy band-gap of the first semiconductor material. In particular embodiments, the semiconductor material is silicon.
Abstract:
Methods, devices and systems are disclosed for implementing ultrasonic communications in an integrated circuit. In one aspect, the disclosed technology integrates piezoelectric and electrostatic actuator arrays into IC chips to form sonar arrays that transmit from one location in chip to another, which can allows for tunable sonic communication links between any two points. For example, the sonar elements can also be used to transmit signals from one chip to another through a common substrate, while making use of the frequency- selective nature of acoustic transducers and waveguides to communicate to multiple receivers over different frequency bands at the same time, e.g., via frequency division multiplexing.
Abstract:
Methods, systems, and devices are disclosed for using optical modes in optical waveguides to carry different optical communication signals. In one aspect, an optical device for optical MDM in optical communications includes an optical waveguide configured to support multiple optical waveguide modes and to carry light of different optical communication channels in different optical waveguide modes, respectively, of the multiple optical waveguide modes. The optical device includes an optical resonator configured to be capable of carrying an optical communication channel in one optical resonator mode and optically coupled to the optical waveguide to selectively couple the optical communication channel in the optical resonator into the optical waveguide to add a channel into the optical waveguide via optical mode division multiplexing. In another aspect, an optical mode division demultiplexing can be performed by coupling an optical waveguide and an optical resonator.
Abstract:
An analyte testing device includes an analyte sensor, a lancet, and a mechanism with an actuator that operates to independently expose the analyte sensor and advance the lancet into position for use. The analyte sensor is preferably included in an analyte sensor cartridge that houses a plurality of sensors. Similarly, the lancet is preferably included in a lancet cartridge that houses a plurality of lancets. The actuator can be a lever configured to expose the analyte sensor and advance the lancet into position with a single motion (e.g., pulling the lever). The actuator also preferably operates to cock a hammer in preparation for lancing a body member to draw a blood sample. The mechanism can be a linkage coupled with the actuator and configured to engage the analyte sensor and lancet.
Abstract:
An analyte testing system having an analyte testing device and a docking station is described. The analyte testing device includes a plurality of lancets, a plurality of analyte sensors, electronics for deriving test data from the analyte sensors, a visual display that displays test data, and a data recording facility that records non-test data. Examples of non-test data include text diary information, audio diary information, food eaten, minutes exercised, medication taken, and estimated calories burned. The docking station has a power interface and data interface that provide power and data connectivity to the testing device. The docking station also has a storage facility configured to automatically store the test data and non-test data.
Abstract:
Methods, structures, devices and systems are disclosed for fabrication of microtube engines using membrane template electrodeposition. Such nanomotors operate based on bubble- induced propulsion in biological fluids and salt-rich environments. In one aspect, fabricating microengines includes depositing a polymer layer on a membrane template, depositing a conductive metal layer on the polymer layer, and dissolving the membrane template to release the multilayer microtubes.
Abstract:
Methods, circuits and systems are provides to produce a bipolar signal across a load from two or more unipolar signals. In a circuit that includes a first and a second energy source, as well as a first and a second photonic switch, a first unipolar signal is generated from a first current flow across the load upon activation of the first switch. A second unipolar signal is generated from a second current flow across the load upon activation of the second switch. The bipolar signal with any desired spectral and amplitude characteristics is produced across the load by controlling the relative delay between the activation of the first and second photonic switches. Spectral content and shape of the bipolar signal can be adjusted by controlling the current flows from the one or more energy sources through, for example, modulation of the optical beams incident on the photonic switches.
Abstract:
Techniques and devices based on optical resonators made of nonlinear optical materials to form triple-oscillator devices for generating a single optical tone, a radio frequency (RF) oscillation signal and an optical frequency comb signal having different optical frequencies.
Abstract:
Techniques, structures, devices and systems are disclosed for implementing molecular zipper tweezers and springs. In one aspect, a molecular device includes three molecular components including at least a passive side molecular component, a binding side molecular component and a target molecular component adapted to interact together as a zipper that separate two of the molecular components held together by molecular interaction forces.
Abstract:
Techniques, systems, devices and materials are disclosed for implementing and fabricating drug delivery and imaging vehicles, which are activated in the body at a tissue of interest by focused ultrasound. In one aspect, a drug delivery vehicle can include a carrier having an outer membrane that envelopes an acoustic sensitizer particle and a payload substance to be delivered to the target tissue. The outer membrane can protect the acoustic sensitizer particle and the payload substance from degradation and opsonization. The outer membrane can be functionalized with a tumor targeting ligand to cause the drug delivery vehicle to selectively accumulate in a tumor region over other tissues, as well as with an agent to increase circulation time by reducing uptake from undesired body tissues, organs, and systems.