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Micro/Nano Scale

Latest Innovations
Long-Range Energy Transfer via Quenching Surfaces for the Detection of Biomolecular Binding and Un-Binding This technology is a rapid, simple and sensitive method for detecting the binding or unbinding of biomolecules using a silicon wafer. It is a novel method... Read More This technology is a rapid, simple and sensitive method for detecting the binding or unbinding of biomolecules using a silicon wafer. It is a novel method for detecting when two biomolecules unbind. The target biomolecule is placed on the silicon wafer, and then the partner biomolecules is fluorescently labeled and allowed to bind to target protein. At this point, the fluorescent label is quenched as it is brought into proximity of the silicon substrate. The technology works best for detecting disassociation or unbinding, such as screening for drugs that interfere with protein-protein binding. Compared to quenching by the common technique of fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET), the technology yields much larger quenching (signal/background ratio); provides robust signals even on the largest biomolecules complexes; and simplifies labeling since only one protein must be labeled (compared with two labels needed for FRET). Also, position or rigidity of the labeling site is relatively unimportant compared with polarized fluorescence assays. Because silicon is used, photolithographic techniques can potentially be used to miniaturize and integrate excitation, detection, and sample handling. Finally, the technology is fluorescence-based so it is highly sensitive and safe without the need for radioactivity. Applications This technology would be highly useful in therapeutic drug screening, and should be of interest to major pharmaceutical companies. High-throughput screening for drug discovery Works best for measuring disassociation/unbinding Benefits Long-quenching range: more efficient at energy transfer than the standard fluoresce resonance energy transfer (FRET), thus larger complexes still receive energy transfer Simplified Labeling: acceptor protein does not have to be labeled and is less critical where dye is attached to donor Scalable: Possible to miniaturize technology Safe: Technology does not use radioactivity
Optical Frequency Up-Conversion of Femtosecond Pulses into Targeted Single Bands in the Visible and Ultraviolet An apparatus and methods for generating a substantially supercontinuum-free widely-tunable multimilliwatt source of radiation characterized by a narrowband line profile.... Read More An apparatus and methods for generating a substantially supercontinuum-free widely-tunable multimilliwatt source of radiation characterized by a narrowband line profile. The apparatus and methods employ nonlinear optical mechanisms in a nonlinear photonic crystal fiber (PCF) by detuning the wavelength of a pump laser to a significant extent relative to the zero-dispersion wavelength (ZDW) of the PCF. Optical phenomena employed for the selective up-conversion in the PCF include, but are not limited to, four-wave mixing and Cherenkov radiation. Tunability is achieved by varying pump wavelength and power and by substituting different types of PCFs characterized by specified dispersion properties. Optical frequency up-conversion of infrared (850-1100nm) femtosecond laser pulses into visible pulses (470-690nm) by Cherenkov radiation and inter-modal four-wave mixing in photonic crystal fibers (PCF) enables generation of: multi-milliwatt tunable supercontinuum-free optical pulses in a wavelength region otherwise inaccessible from the source. Current commercial devices for optical frequency up-conversion are optical parametric amplifiers based on Four-wave mixing (FWM). These devices are input laser wavelength specific, expensive and usually have a large footprint. Whereas other similar devices require dedicated fabrication facilities or special components, frequency up-conversion based on Cherenkov radiation does not call for exotic dispersion engineering of the photonic crystal fiber. The resulting compact device can be used with source lasers with various wavelengths. Intense, clean visible pulses have potential application in ultrafast spectroscopy, coherent nonlinear spectroscopy and multi-photon microscopy. Screen Shot 2016-09-16 at 1.51.58 PM.png
Blue-Shifting Of Resonant Dispersive Wave Pulses Researchers from the University of Illinois have developed a way to shift a laser beam into a broadband of light with lower wavelengths. This technology enables... Read More Researchers from the University of Illinois have developed a way to shift a laser beam into a broadband of light with lower wavelengths. This technology enables the use of pulsed pump lasers in ultrafast spectroscopy, nonlinear biomedical imaging, and many other imaging fields.
Optically Tunable Photonic Crystal Filters and Applications This invention invention provides photonic crystal devices, device components and methods for preventing transmission of electromagnetic radiation from one or more... Read More This invention invention provides photonic crystal devices, device components and methods for preventing transmission of electromagnetic radiation from one or more laser sources or laser modes so as to provide an optical shield for protecting a users eyes or an optical sensor. The invention also provides dynamic photonic crystals and devices incorporating dynamic photonic crystals for optically modulating the intensity of one or more beams of electromagnetic radiation and other optical switching applications.
Photonic Crystal Biosensor with Integrated Liquid Handling and Fabrication Method Photonic crystal (PC) sensors, and sensor arrays and sensing systems incorporating PC sensors are described which have integrated fluid containment and/or fluid... Read More Photonic crystal (PC) sensors, and sensor arrays and sensing systems incorporating PC sensors are described which have integrated fluid containment and/or fluid handling structures. The PC sensors are further integrated into a sample handling device such as a microwell plate. Sensors and sensing systems of the present disclosure are capable of high throughput sensing of analytes in fluid samples, bulk refractive index detection, and label-free detection of a range of molecules, including biomolecules and therapeutic candidates. The present disclosure also provides a commercially attractive fabrication platform for making photonic crystal sensors and systems wherein an integrated fluid containment structure and a photonic crystal structure are fabricated in a single molding or imprinting processing step amendable to high throughput processing.
Smartphone Biosensor Researchers at the University of Illinois have developed a portable spectrometer cradle that can be attached to smartphones. The device uses the camera lens and... Read More Researchers at the University of Illinois have developed a portable spectrometer cradle that can be attached to smartphones. The device uses the camera lens and light source of the smartphone to enable the spectrometer assembly in the cradle and measure the intensity and wavelength of the light similar to a lab spectrometer. The spectrometer cradle could instead incorporate its own low powered laser within the cradle as well. The smartphone biosensor can be used for various optical sensing applications, such as biosensing, absorption, and fluoresence assays, in the field as opposed to the lab. And since the device is smartphone based, information can be quickly disseminated through wireless means.
Aligned Free-Standing Copper Nanowires This invention fabricates copper nanowires using thermal chemical vapor deposition (CVD) at temperatures of about 200 to 400 C. The method can produce vertically... Read More This invention fabricates copper nanowires using thermal chemical vapor deposition (CVD) at temperatures of about 200 to 400 C. The method can produce vertically aligned copper nanowires on various metallic, oxide, and plastic substrates without the need for pores, templates, catalysts, or lithography of the substrate surface. The CVD process does not use hydrogen and is compatible with standard silicon processing technologies. Copper wires with diameters of 70 to100 nanometers and lengths of several microns can be produced and characterized. Electron emission properties have been measured and are superior to most other materials including carbon nanotubes. The processing conditions are adjusted so as to promote the growth of wires instead of films. Applications: Flat panel display devices Computing Medical imaging Entertainment Home appliances Wireless communication Remote sensors Benefits: Simplicity and scalability - A straightforward CVD process that uses standard equipment is utilized. This technique does not require complex substrate preparation. Compatibility - The process is compatible with most standard semiconductor processing protocols. The wires can be grown on a wide variety of materials including metals, silicon, and plastics.
Cobalt Precursors For Formation of Cobalt or Cobalt-Containing Material Chemical vapor deposition (CVD) of cobalt requires a cobalt precursor that can be easily vaporized, leaving high-purity cobalt on a surface while causing no... Read More Chemical vapor deposition (CVD) of cobalt requires a cobalt precursor that can be easily vaporized, leaving high-purity cobalt on a surface while causing no surface damage. This newly developed technology covers the composition of new cobalt precursors and a method for producing high-quality cobalt (or cobalt-containing) films and powders using those precursors. Details Because of the substantial surface damage created by using physical vapor deposition (PVD) to deposit cobalt, researchers have become interested in using chemical vapor deposition (CVD). This requires a cobalt precursor that can be easily vaporized and that will leave high-purity cobalt on a surface while causing no surface damage. New technology developed by researchers at the University of Illinois provides novel organometallic compounds with relatively high vapor pressures and good thermal stability that leave pure cobalt on a surface without requiring hydrogen. The resulting compounds, which can be isolated as volatile liquids or solids, vaporize easily and deposit cobalt effectively under reduced pressure, producing very high purity cobalt films. Applications This innovative new technology can be used by the semiconductor industry for depositing cobalt or cobalt-containing films such as CoSi2 using chemical vapor deposition (CVD). The technology may also be advantageous for important future applications in areas such as magneto-optics and magnetic memory applications. Benefits Easy implementation: This technology has low deposition temperatures, and requires no reducing agent. By-products of the process are recycled, eliminating added safety and health issues. Safer deposition: This method requires no hydrogen. More effective deposition: Precursors are easily vaporized for improved cobalt deposition. This technology achieves high purity of the films deposited below 300 degrees C. Unlike conventional physical deposition methods, this method yields cobalt films on 3-D surfaces with a smooth, dense surface morphology without surface damage. High stability towards oxygen and high thermal stability. Versatility: This method can be used for pure cobalt and for oxides, as well as for nickel and iron triads.
Dynamic Devices for Microwave Communications Dr. Eden from the University of IL has developed plasma devices that are instantaneously tuned to change their optical properties. This has applications in the microwave... Read More Dr. Eden from the University of IL has developed plasma devices that are instantaneously tuned to change their optical properties. This has applications in the microwave communications market, which has historically required many individual components that must be mechanically exchanged.
Multiplexed High Energy Lasers Dr. Eden from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign has invented a new type of laser capable of creating thousands of near-perfect beams and combining them into... Read More Dr. Eden from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign has invented a new type of laser capable of creating thousands of near-perfect beams and combining them into one high energy beam. This new laser has significant applications in manufacturing, defense, and research. 2015-170 Web1.png 2015-170 Web2.png

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