A photoluminescent liquid crystal display includes: a liquid crystal panel including a lower substrate, an upper substrate, a liquid crystal layer interposed between the upper and lower substrates, and a photoluminescent color filter layer disposed between the upper substrate and the liquid crystal layer; an optical device disposed on the upper substrate; a polarizing plate disposed under the lower substrate; and a backlight unit disposed under the polarizing plate and which emits blue light, where the photoluminescent color filter layer includes a first color filter which emits polarized red light, a second color filter which emits polarized green light, and a third color filter which emits polarized blue light, and the first color filter and the second color filter include a semiconductor nanocrystal-polymer composite.

Example photoconductive devices and example methods for using photoconductive devices are described. An example method may include providing a photoconductive device having a metal-semiconductor-metal structure. The method may also include controlling, based on a first input state, illumination of the photoconductive device by a first optical beam during a time period, and controlling, based on a second input state, illumination of the photoconductive device by a second optical beam during the time period. Further, the method may include detecting an amount of current produced by the photoconductive device during the time period, and based on the detected amount of current, providing an output indicative of the first input state and the second input state. The example devices can be used individually as discrete components or in integrated circuits for memory or logic applications.

Described herein are microfluidic devices and methods of detecting an analyte in a sample that includes flowing the sample though a microfluidic device, wherein the presence of the analyte is detected directly from the microfluidic device without the use of an external detector at an outlet of the microfluidic device. In a more specific aspect, detection is performed by incorporating functional nanopillars, such as detector nanopillars and/or light source nanopillars, into a microchannel of a microfluidic device.

An optical spectrometer contains a photodiode and a straining mechanism for imposing adjustable strain on the photodiode. The spectrometer includes a measurement apparatus for measuring variation of photocurrent with strain at different values of the adjustable strain imposed by the straining mechanism. Adjusting the strain allows adjustment of the band gap E.sub.g of the photosensitive region of the photodiode, and this determines the cut-off energy for absorption of photons. Measuring variation of photocurrent with strain at different values of the adjustable strain imposed by the straining mechanism allows study of photons within a desired energy range of the band gap energy corresponding to each strain value.

Self-powered portable electronic devices are disclosed that have the capacity to generate their own electrical power, store electrical charge, and distribute electrical power to similarly designed devices in close proximity. Devices generate power in part using one or more non-solar thermal energy sources that have increased stability and efficiency compared to current solar cell powered devices. Devices comprise components including, control processors, data storage, energy storage, dedicated energy and power management processors, and thermophotovoltaic cells that convert thermal energy into electrical power. Devices are capable of transmitting and receiving energy, power, voice and data information using standard frequencies associated with portable devices. Additionally, the invention discloses methods, systems, and apparatuses comprising circuitry that can control power generation from multiple thermophotovoltaic cells and traditional power sources.

An integrated circuit includes a substrate material that includes an epitaxial layer, wherein the substrate material and the epitaxial layer form a first semiconductor material with the epitaxial layer having a first conductivity type. At least one nanowire comprising a second semiconductor material having a second conductivity type doped differently than the first conductivity type of the first semiconductor material forms a junction crossing region with the first semiconductor material. The nanowire and the first semiconductor material form an avalanche photodiode (APD) in the junction crossing region to enable single photon detection. In an alternative configuration, the APD is formed as a p-i-n crossing region where n represents an n-type material, i represents an intrinsic layer, and p represents a p-type material.

Disclosed is an image sensor using a nanowire, including a substrate, a photodetector for sensing incident light to produce photocurrent, the magnitude of which varies depending on the intensity of incident light, a signal processing module for outputting photodetection current including information about the presence or absence of incident light and the intensity of incident light based on the presence or absence of photocurrent and the magnitude thereof, and an electrode configured to electrically connect the photodetector and the signal processing module to each other and formed on the photodetector and the signal processing module, wherein the photodetector and the signal processing module are formed on the substrate, and the photodetector is formed of at least one silicon nanowire.

Disclosed is an avalanche photodiode using a silicon nanowire, including a first silicon nanowire formed of silicon (Si), a first conductive region formed by doping one surface of the first silicon nanowire with a first dopant, and a second conductive region formed by doping one surface of the first silicon nanowire with a second dopant having a conductive type different from that of the first dopant so as to be arranged continuously in a longitudinal direction from the first conductive region, wherein, when the magnitude of a reverse voltage applied to both ends of the first silicon nanowire is equal to or greater than a preset breakdown voltage, avalanche multiplication of inner current occurs due to the incidence of light from the outside.

In one example, a device includes a trench formed in a substrate. The trench includes a first end and a second end that are non-collinear. A first plurality of semiconductor pillars is positioned near the first end of the trench and includes integrated light sources. A second plurality of semiconductor pillars is positioned near the second end of the trench and includes integrated photodetectors.

In one example, a device includes a trench formed in a substrate. The trench includes a first end and a second end that are non-collinear. A first plurality of semiconductor pillars is positioned near the first end of the trench and includes integrated light sources. A second plurality of semiconductor pillars is positioned near the second end of the trench and includes integrated photodetectors.