Abstract:
A multi-junction artificial photosynthetic unit includes an active element with a plurality of semiconducting layers, with metal layers deposited between the semiconductor layers appropriately forming Schottky barrier junctions or ohmic junctions with a surface of an adjacent semiconductor layer. The active element is formed within a protective structure formed of porous aluminum oxide. Successive layers of the active element can be formed within the protective structure, and additional layers and junctions can be added until desired photovoltages are achieved. A photoreactor for the production of fuels and chemicals driven by solar-powered redox reactions includes a bag reactor filled with a feedstock solution. A plurality of multi-junction photosynthetic units are placed in the feedstock solution to drive the redox reactions and produce the desired fuels and chemicals.
Abstract:
A perpendicular-mode near-field scanning optical microscope (NSOM) utilizing a piezoelectric micro tuning fork as its height-sensing element is described. The present invention provides a method and apparatus for modifying and attaching an optical fiber to the tuning fork that allows the assembly to retain Q-factors up to 9000, substantially higher than those described so far in the literature for tuning-fork-based instruments. The method involves reducing the diameter of the cladding of the optical fiber down to the 17-25 &mgr;m using several chemical etching steps, before the fiber is attached to the tuning fork. A sharp upturn in the Q-factor is observed when the fiber diameter d drops below ˜25 &mgr;m. An analysis, which shows that the stretching force constant of a bent fiber is proportional to d4, is used to account for the great sensitivity of the Q-factor to the fiber diameter. The high Q-factors resulted in improved force sensitivity and allowed us to construct a perpendicular mode instrument without the use of additional dithering piezoelements. An improved NSOM operating in the sear force mode is also provided by thinning the optical fiber length running down the length of one of the tines to a thickness in the range from about 50 to 60 &mgr;m.
Abstract:
A method of growing single crystal diamonds in excess of 10 .mu.m in diameter from industrial diamond "seeds" having mean diameters of approximately 1.5 .mu.m is disclosed. The diamonds are grown by exposing the seed diamonds to C.sub.70 in the presence of elemental reducing agents such as phosphorus or selenium in evacuated cells at moderate temperatures and pressures. In another aspect the invention diamonds are grown by exposing diamond seed particles to vapour phase C.sub.70 in the presence of a gas phase metal carbonyl, such as F.sub.5 e(CO) in a temperature range of 400.degree. C. to 700.degree. C. to cause at least some of the diamond seed particles to grow.
Abstract:
Provided are methods, devices and systems that utilize free-surface fluidics and SERS for analyte detection with high sensitivity and specificity. The molecules can be airborne agents, including but not limited to explosives, narcotics, hazardous chemicals, or other chemical species. The free-surface fluidic architecture is created using an open microchannel, and exhibits a large surface to volume ratio. The free-surface fluidic interface can filter interferent molecules, while concentrating airborne analyte molecules. The microchannel flow enables controlled aggregation of SERS-active probe particles in the flow, thereby enhancing the detector's sensitivity.
Abstract:
Provided are methods, devices and systems that utilize free-surface fluidics and SERS for analyte detection with high sensitivity and specificity. The molecules can be airborne agents, including but not limited to explosives, narcotics, hazardous chemicals, or other chemical species. The free-surface fluidic architecture is created using an open microchannel, and exhibits a large surface to volume ratio. The free-surface fluidic interface can filter interferent molecules, while concentrating airborne analyte molecules. The microchannel flow enables controlled aggregation of SERS-active probe particles in the flow, thereby enhancing the detector's sensitivity.
Abstract:
The present invention provides a powerful new method for producing, uniform sized and uniformly aligned nanotubes through catalytic pyrolysis of a hydrocarbon within the dense, uniform and parallel pores of alumina nano-templates. The catalyst, Co, Fe, Ni or another suitable substance is deposited electrochemically into the bottom of the channel of the alumina template. The nanotubes with any desired diameter in the range 5-500 nm and lengths up to .about.100 .mu.m, are generated by the pyrolysis of a suitable hydrocarbon inside the pores of the alumina template with at least one end open at the alumina/air interface. The nanotubes may be filled by metals using for example electroless deposition.
Abstract:
Catalysts for use in promoting heterogeneous chemical reactions, such as hydrogenation, cracking, dehydrogenation and Fischer-Tropsch reactions, are prepared by depositing a catalytically active metal such as nickel electrolytically onto an aluminum substrate in such a manner that the metal particles are deposited in micro-particulate form to enhance their catalytic activity. The aluminum substrate is prepared by cleaning and anodizing it, so as to deposit thereon an aluminum oxide surface film having micro porosity. Then the substrate is immersed into an electrolysis bath of solution of salt of the metal to be deposited, and subjected to alternating current electrolysis to cause the required deposition. Prior to use, the catalysts so prepared should be heated to remove absorbed gases from their porous surfaces.
Abstract:
Provided are methods, devices and systems that utilize free-surface fluidics and SERS for analyte detection with high sensitivity and specificity. The molecules can be airborne agents, including but not limited to explosives, narcotics, hazardous chemicals, or other chemical species. The free-surface fluidic architecture is created using an open microchannel, and exhibits a large surface to volume ratio. The free-surface fluidic interface can filter interferent molecules, while concentrating airborne analyte molecules. The microchannel flow enables controlled aggregation of SERS-active probe particles in the flow, thereby enhancing the detector's sensitivity.
Abstract:
In general, in one aspect, the invention features an apparatus that includes a plurality of optical elements arranged to form an image of an object. The elements include a first element comprising one or more regions of a polarizing material, the regions being shaped as one or more visual features, a polarizer, and a mounting assembly including a first mount for the first element and a second mount for the polarizer. At least the first or second mount is rotatable with respect to an optical axis between a first orientation and a second orientation. In the first orientation, the visual features are visible in the image of the object and, in the second orientation, the visual features are not visible in the image of the object.
Abstract:
Provided are methods, devices and systems that utilize free-surface fluidics and SERS for analyte detection with high sensitivity and specificity. The molecules can be airborne agents, including but not limited to explosives, narcotics, hazardous chemicals, or other chemical species. The free-surface fluidic architecture is created using an open microchannel, and exhibits a large surface to volume ratio. The free-surface fluidic interface can filter interferent molecules, while concentrating airborne analyte molecules. The microchannel flow enables controlled aggregation of SERS-active probe particles in the flow, thereby enhancing the detector's sensitivity.