The genetic backgrounds of lupus-prone murine models are a valuable resource for studying the influence of environmental exposure on autoimmune diseases in sensitive populations. Epidemiological studies have shown associations between silica exposure and several autoimmune diseases, including scleroderma and systemic lupus erythematosus. To determine whether silica exposure can exacerbate syste...

In this paper, for the first time, we report Q-factor over 1 million, on both modes, and high frequency symmetry (∆f/f ) of 132 ppm on wafer-level micro-glassblown 3-D fused silica wineglass resonators at a compact size of 7 mm diameter and center frequency of 105 kHz. In addition, we demonstrate for the first time, out-ofplane capacitive transduction on MEMS wineglass resonators. High Q-factor...

The Photonics Crystal Fibers (PCFs) also know as “holey” or “micro-structured” fibers herald a new age for optical fibers. The astronomical applications could revolutionize instrument design through: broadband performance combined with excellent UV transmission, extremely large numerical aperture fibers, and aperture transforming fibers improving input coupling/sampling while maintaining a good...

Mass spectrometry is the enabling technology for proteomics. To fully realize the enormous potential of lab-on-a-chip in proteomics, a major advance in interfacing microfluidics with mass spectrometry is needed. Here, we report the first demonstration of monolithic integration of multinozzle electrospray emitters with a microfluidic channel via a novel silicon microfabrication process. These mi...

An effective way to improve sensor selectivity and stability is the use of catalytic filters to block interfering and poisoning gas molecules from reaching the sensor surface. Mesoporous silica with high resistivity and hugh surface areas are ideally suited as a base material for this application. When impregnated with proper catalysts, mesoporous silica has a great potential to eliminate respo...

We present a comparison of high Q-factor tapered membrane-type onedimensional photonic crystal micro-cavities embedded in photonic wire waveguides based on silicon-on-insulator (SOI). Q-factor values as large as 24,000 have been measured, together with normalized transmission of 67%: an improvement in the Q-factor value in comparison with previous results obtained on structures with silicon cor...

We propose a joining process using femtosecond laser micro-welding to reinforce a direct bond. The process, which is executed at ambient temperature and can be applied to both similar and dissimilar material combinations, consists in inscribing weld lines in a closed loop forming a sealing pattern at the outskirts of the direct bond, thus preventing it from lifting off. We first characterized t...

Inorganic precipitation reactions are known to self-organize a variety of macroscopic structures, including hollow tubes. We discuss recent advances in this field with an emphasis on experiments similar to 'silica gardens'. These reactions involve metal salts and sodium silicate solution. Reactions triggered from reagent-loaded microbeads can produce tubes with inner radii of down to 3 μm. Dist...

Microcrystals of coesite and stishovite were discovered as inclusions in amorphous silica grains in shocked melt pockets of a lunar meteorite Asuka-881757 by micro-Raman spectrometry, scanning electron microscopy, electron back-scatter diffraction, and transmission electron microscopy. These high-pressure polymorphs of SiO(2) in amorphous silica indicate that the meteorite experienced an equili...