The invention relates to fluorescent nanodiamonds (FNDs) and their uses as fiducial markers for microscopy. FNDs are bright fluorescent probes that do not blink or bleach and have broad fluorescence excitation and emission peaks. The fluorescence intensity can be readily controlled by the size of the FND, the number of fluorescent centers produced in the nanodiamonds, or in situ through the application of a weak magnetic field.

This technology is an ultra-sensitive colorimetric assay, based on an enzyme-catalyzed gold nanoparticle growth process, for detection of disease-associated proteins (biomarkers) and disease diagnosis. Current detection methods, such as ELISA immunoassays, measure concentrations above 0.1 ng/mL in a sample. PCR, although more sensitive than ELISA, requires expensive and specialized equipment and reagents, skilled labor, and complex analysis techniques. This assay detects fg/mL to pg/mL concentrations, allowing detection and diagnosis in the earliest stage of disease or infection.

The octopod-shaped iron oxide nanoparticles of this technology significantly enhance contrast in MRI imaging compared to spherical superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticle T₂ contrast agents. These octopod iron oxide nanoparticles show a transverse relaxivity that is over five times greater than comparable spherical agents. Because the unique octopod shape creates a greater effective radius than spherical agents, but maintains similar magnetization properties, the relaxation rate is improved. The improved relaxation rate greatly enhances the contrast of images.

Scrub typhus is a bacterial disease caused by Orientia tsutsugamushi (O. tsutsugamushi or Ots) that is spread to people through bites of infected chiggers (larval mites). The most common symptoms can include fever, headache, body aches, and sometimes rash. Severe illness can lead to organ failure and bleeding which can be fatal if left untreated. Most cases of scrub typhus occur in Asia Pacific countries, however, recent reports document establishment in the Arabian Peninsula, Chile, and possibly Kenya.

In various x-ray imaging methods, including scattering correction and phase contrast imaging, intensity modulation in space is introduced into the projection images by the use of masks, gratings, or apertures. The present invention relates to a process to demodulate the modulation. The current demodulation processes are either to remove the modulation pattern through digital processing or to move the modulation pattern on the detector in a series of images that requires mechanical movements of a component and tends to lose some information of the imaged object.

The present invention relates to improving x-ray phase contrast imaging. The invention discloses a novel grating interferometer for phase contrast imaging with hard x-rays that overcomes limitations in the level of sensitivity by utilizing the advantages of far-field interferometers. The novel design and fabrication process can easily acquire absolute and differential phase images of lightly absorbing samples.

A microtome device is used in a variety of microcopy techniques to remove very thin (e.g., in the tens of nanometers range) portions from the top of a sample between successive images. This technology discloses a design for a microtome device that offers several unique features and advantages over commercially available microtomes. A prototype of the microtome has been built and demonstrated to work with a serial block-face scanning electron microscopy in order to serially collect ultrathin sections from plastic embedded biological tissues, specifically from brain tissues.

The magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) systems are used for a variety of imaging application. The present invention discloses an improving MRI device and method by amplifying signals received by resonant NMR coils of MRI systems. It utilizes positive feedback from low-noise Field-Effect Transistor to amplify the signal current that can be coupled out to receiving loops positioned externally without loss in sensitivity. Therefore, the NMR coil can be flexibly positioned near internal tissues and used to develop high-resolution images in highly invasive situations.

Hazardous airborne particles pose a risk for health and safety in a variety of environments and thus detection of these small particles is essential. Current particle magnification systems are bulky and require a lot of power for operation, making them unsuitable to easily detect and analyze small particles in mobile and personal settings.

Following primary dengue virus (DENV) infection, non-structural protein 1 (NS1), a dengue-specific glycoprotein, is present in blood and is easily detected by various assays. However, for any infection thereafter (secondary infection), bioavailability of the glycoprotein greatly reduces sensitivity of DENV detection. Since secondary DENV infection is a risk factor for developing hemorrhagic fever, there is increasing need for more sensitive detection at this stage.