California Institute of Technology

Sanofi

University of California

University of Southern California

Chieh-feng Chang

Axel Scherer

Aditya Rajagopal

Sameer Walavalkar

Scott E Fraser

Stefan Petry

Oliver Plettenburg

Charles L Tschirhart

William M Jones

Seheon Kim

Danil M Lukin

Brandon C Marin

Andrea R Tao

Akram Sarwat Sadek

Raymond Jimenez

Methods for fabricating flexible substrate nanostructured devices are disclosed. The nanostructures comprise nano-pillars and metallic bulbs or nano-apertures. The nanostructures can be functionalized to detect biological entities. The flexible substrates can be rolled into cylindrical tubes for detection of fluidic samples.

Fabrication and self-aligned local functionalization of nanocups and various plasmonic nanostructures on flexible substrates for implantable and sensing applications

Nanoscale field-emission devices are presented, wherein the devices include at least a pair of electrodes separated by a gap through which field emission of electrons from one electrode to the other occurs. The gap is dimensioned such that only a low voltage is required to induce field emission. As a result, the emitted electrons energy that is below the ionization potential of the gas or gasses that reside within the gap. In some embodiments, the gap is small enough that the distance between the electrodes is shorter than the mean-free path of electrons in air at atmospheric pressure. As a result, the field-emission devices do not require a vacuum environment for operation.

Nanoscale field-emission device and method of fabrication

Methods and systems for nanopillar sensors are described. Nanopillars can be defined on a substrate, and metal deposited on the nanopillars. A thermal treatment can reflow the metal on the nanopillars forming metallic bulbs on the top end of the nanopillars. These structures can have enhanced optical detection when functionalized with biological agents, or can detect gases, particles and liquids through interaction with the metal layer on the nanopillars.

Plasmonics nanostructures for multiplexing implantable sensors

Systems and methods for molecular sensing are described. Molecular sensors are described which are based on field-effect or bipolar junction transistors. These transistors have a nanopillar with a functionalized layer contacted to either the base or the gate electrode. The functional layer can bind molecules, which causes an electrical signal in the sensor.

Nanopillar field-effect and junction transistors with functionalized gate and base electrodes

Reflowed gold nanostructures for surface enhanced raman spectroscopy

A microlaser system includes an optical source, a microlaser, an actuator switch, and a photovoltaic power source. The microlaser, which includes a control element, is optically pumped by at least a portion of light emitted by the optical source. The actuator switch is configured to be activated by a triggering event. Furthermore, the photovoltaic power source is coupled in a series connection with the actuator switch and the control element, the series connection configured to connect the photovoltaic power source to the control element of the microlaser when the actuator switch is activated by the triggering event.

Methods of modulating microlasers at ultralow power levels, and systems thereof

A voltage sensing apparatus on a semiconductor substrate, including one or more inputs comprising metal contacts, an output comprising a laser transmitter, circuitry electrically connecting and interfacing the inputs to the output; and a power module. A method of fabricating the apparatus is also described.

Wireless voltage sensing device

Methods for fabrication of nanopillar field effect transistors are described. These transistors can have high height-to-width aspect ratios and be CMOS compatible. Silicon nitride may be used as a masking material. These transistors have a variety of applications, for example they can be used for molecular sensing if the nanopillar has a functionalized layer contacted to the gate electrode. The functional layer can bind molecules, causing an electrical signal in the transistor.

Growing community of inventors

Pasadena, CA, United States of America

Chieh-feng Chang