Devices and methods for detecting the length of analytes and/or sequencing analytes are provided in which two or more electrical signals are obtained as an analyte traverses a fluidic channel. Detection of the relative position of probes hybridized to a biopolymer and/or the length of the analyte (e.g., a biopolymer) does not rely on the absolute time between detection events of a given electrical signal to determine a distance associated with the biopolymer. Instead, multiple signals are obtained (e.g., as functions of time) corresponding to a plurality of detector volumes at known locations along a fluidic channel through which the biopolymer passes, and the distances are determined from the multiple signals.

An apparatus comprising: a channel (4) configured to conduct charge carriers; and a charge carrier generator (22) configured to generate charge carriers for populating the channel, wherein the charge carrier generator is configured for resonance energy transfer (FRET). The charge carrier generator may be a nanoparticle or quantum dot (22), functionalised with at least one moiety (28A, 28B) to enable detection of an analyte. The charge carrier generator may also be a nanoparticle or quantum dot (22) configured to photo-generate charge carriers. The channel (4) may be made of a material having a very high carrier mobility like graphene or carbon nanotubes.

A device includes an upper metallic layer, a lower layer, and a memory array positioned between the upper and lower layers, wherein the memory electrical characteristic changes when storing data.

A device includes an upper metallic layer, a lower layer, and a nano sensor array positioned between the upper and lower layers to detect a presence of a gas, a chemical, or a biological object, wherein each sensor's electrical characteristic changes when encountering the gas, chemical or biological object.

A process for ultrasensitive in vitro detection and/or quantification of a substance of interest in a sample is performed by detecting the luminescence emission by photoluminescent inorganic nanoparticles. The process includes (i) use of photoluminescent particles comprising a photoluminescent inorganic nanoparticle consisting of a crystalline matrix having at least 10.sup.3 rare-earth ions, and coupled to a targeting agent for the substance to be analyzed, under conditions conducive to their association with the sample substance to be analyzed; (ii) exciting the rare-earth ions of the particles by an illumination device having a power of at least 50 mW and an excitation intensity of at least 1 W/cm.sup.2; (iii) detecting the luminescence emission by the particles after single-photon absorption; and (iv) determining the presence and/or concentration of the substance by interpreting said luminescence measurement. This process can be used for in vitro diagnostic purposes and as an in vitro diagnostic kit.

An apparatus comprising: a channel (4) configured to conduct charge carriers; and a charge carrier generator (22) configured to generate charge carriers for populating the channel, wherein the charge carrier generator is configured for resonance energy transfer (FRET). The charge carrier generator may be a nanoparticle or quantum dot (22), functionalised with at least one moiety (28A, 28B) to enable detection of an analyte. The charge carrier generator may also be a nanoparticle or quantum dot (22) configured to photo-generate charge carriers. The channel (4) may be made of a material having a very high carrier mobility like graphene or carbon nanotubes.

Organosilane functionalised carbon nanoparticles comprising a carbon dot bonded to an organosilane functionalization agent in a first orientation having one or more functional groups capable of binding mercury located at or proximal to a free end thereof.

Methods and systems disclosed herein may be operable to detect a presence or absence of an analyte in human tissue. An example method includes operating one or more light sources to illuminate a plurality of optodes with excitation light. Each optode is embedded in tissue at a respective location. The excitation light causes the optodes to emit emission light and the optodes are sensitive to at least one analyte such that the emission light emitted by the optodes is indicative of a presence or absence of at least one analyte in the tissue. An optical filter arrangement includes for each optode in the plurality of optodes a corresponding set of one or more optical filters. The method includes obtaining detector information from a detector arrangement optically coupled to the optical filter arrangement, and detecting the at least one analyte based on the detector information.

The electronic structure of nanowires, nanotubes and thin films deposited on a substrate is varied by doping with electrons or holes. The electronic structure can then be tuned by varying the support material or by applying a gate voltage. The electronic structure can be controlled to absorb a gas, store a gas, or release a gas, such as hydrogen, oxygen, ammonia, carbon dioxide, and the like.

A device includes an upper metallic layer, a lower layer, and a nano sensor array positioned between the upper and lower layers to detect a presence of a gas, a chemical, or a biological object, wherein each sensor's electrical characteristic changes when encountering the gas, chemical or biological object.