Embodiments relate to a bioagent capture and identification system including a microfluidic platform for label-free, size-based capture, enrichment, and optical profiling of bioagents using vertically aligned carbon nanotubes coated in gold nanoparticles. Bioagent identification can be automated using machine learning. Captured bioagents remain viable after capture and analysis. In the nanotube fabrication process, catalyst precursor layers are fabricated using patterned stamps. In addition, nanotube diameter and density are increased by increasing the concentration of metal content in the catalyst precursor layer.

A method for determining if a tissue is ganglionic is provided. The method comprises a) generating at least one hyperspectral Raman image of a tissue from a region of interest in a tissue suspected to contain ganglion cells that was optionally identified by a method comprising autofluorescence (AF) and Second Harmonic generation (SHG) imaging of the tissue; and b) analyzing any of the images for one or more of the following: i) optical excitation; ii) chemical information or emission spectra; or iii) AF, SHG, and/or Raman signatures, wherein the analysis provides indicators that the region of interest is either ganglionic or non-ganglionic. A system for analysis of in vivo tissue or ex vivo tissue samples including a multiphoton autofluorescence microscope, a Second Harmonic Generation microscope, and a hyperspectral Raman microscope in operative communication is also provided.

A method for determining if a tissue is ganglionic is provided. The method comprises a) generating at least one hyperspectral Raman image of a tissue from a region of interest in a tissue suspected to contain ganglion cells that was optionally identified by a method comprising autofluorescence (AF) and Second Harmonic generation (SHG) imaging of the tissue; and b) analyzing any of the images for one or more of the following: i) optical excitation; ii) chemical information or emission spectra; or iii) AF, SHG, and/or Raman signatures, wherein the analysis provides indicators that the region of interest is either ganglionic or non-ganglionic. A system for analysis of in vivo tissue or ex vivo tissue samples including a multiphoton autofluorescence microscope, a Second Harmonic Generation microscope, and a hyperspectral Raman microscope in operative communication is also provided.

A rheometer according to an embodiment includes a substrate on which an object to be measured is placed, a vibration unit configured to provide a vibration to the substrate, a plurality of probe units each including a quartz tuning fork and a contact member fixed to the quartz tuning fork, the contact member being able to contact the object, the plurality of probe units having different types of the contact members. Any one of the plurality of probe units is selected and contacts the object, and a controller configured to calculate a viscoelastic force of the object based on a vibration of the vibration unit and a vibration transmitted to the quartz tuning fork through the object from the vibration of the vibration unit.

A rheometer according to an embodiment includes a substrate on which an object to be measured is placed, a vibration unit configured to provide a vibration to the substrate, a plurality of probe units each including a quartz tuning fork and a contact member fixed to the quartz tuning fork, the contact member being able to contact the object, the plurality of probe units having different types of the contact members. Any one of the plurality of probe units is selected and contacts the object, and a controller configured to calculate a viscoelastic force of the object based on a vibration of the vibration unit and a vibration transmitted to the quartz tuning fork through the object from the vibration of the vibration unit.

The present disclosure provides a technique for quantitatively detecting alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activities in seawater and other aquatic environments, based on surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy by taking 5-bromo-4-chloro-3-indolyl phosphate (BCIP) as a substrate and dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) as an internal standard. Results show that ALP activity has a good linear correlation with the intensity ratio of a characteristic Raman peak to that of the internal standard peak (600 cm.sup.−1/677 cm.sup.−1) (R.sup.2=0.977). The technique was successfully applied to detect ALP activity of a seawater sample. By extension this technique can also be used in detecting the activity of other microbial extracellular enzymes (e.g., aminopeptidase) in seawater and thus, lays a solid scientific foundation for in-situ detection of the activities of other extracellular enzymes in seawater and other aquatic environments.

A device for coupling a sensor to a fiber optic cable including at least one optical fiber, the device may include an activation unit couplable to a known coupling location along the fiber optic cable and configured to: receive an analog sensor output signal from the sensor and change one or more properties of at least one of: one or more optical wave propagating through the at least one optical fiber and the at least one optical fiber, with respect to the analog output signal, while maintaining at least a portion of a spectral content of the analog sensor output signal during at least a portion of time.

A device for coupling a sensor to a fiber optic cable including at least one optical fiber, the device may include an activation unit couplable to a known coupling location along the fiber optic cable and configured to: receive an analog sensor output signal from the sensor and change one or more properties of at least one of: one or more optical wave propagating through the at least one optical fiber and the at least one optical fiber, with respect to the analog output signal, while maintaining at least a portion of a spectral content of the analog sensor output signal during at least a portion of time.

A Raman multi-gas detection system including an enhancement unit coupled between a light source and a detector. The enhancement unit includes a nanongrid having a plurality of nanogaps. A gas is coupled to the enhancement unit and is configured to flow through the plurality of nanogaps of the nanogrid. The nanogrid comprises one or more plasmon-active materials. The light source is configured to generate plasmon-enhanced electric fields in the plurality of nanogaps of the nanogrid to induce enhanced Raman scattering of the constituent molecules in the gas within the plurality of nanogaps such that a plurality of different constituent molecules in the gas can be detected. In one embodiment, a molecule in the gas is configured to scatter the light from the light source at a rate more than 1000 times greater than in the free space in the enhancement unit.

A fabrication method of a SERS substrate includes (a) preparing a hydrophilic membrane; (b) dipping the hydrophilic membrane in an alcohol; (c) immersing the hydrophilic membrane in a chloride ion aqueous solution; and (d) depositing Ag or Au nanoparticles on the hydrophilic membrane by suction filtration to form the SERS substrate. The hydrophilic membrane includes 10˜20 wt % PVDF, PTFE, PC, PES, nylon, or mixtures thereof, 10˜20 wt % PVP, and 0.2˜1.6 wt % PMMA, PHEMA, or mixtures thereof.