This paper presents a review devoted to the problem of how optical and structural properties of quantum-well heterostructures (QWH) can be correlated in detail, and how these properties may be connected with the parameters of the epitaxial growth process. It demonstrates how luminescence techniques, mainly photoluminescence (PL) and cathodoluminescence imaging (CLI), may be used for evaluation of the structural disorder on the atomic scale, which occurs at the growth surfaces creating the interfaces of the QWH. The physics of the excitonic luminescence in QWH (theory and experiment) is presented in detail in the first part of the review. This is followed by a comprehensive discussion of experimental aspects (hardware and software) of the luminescence techniques, as applied for studying QWH grown by molecular-beam epitaxy (MBE) and metalorganic vapor phase epitaxy (MOVPE). The specific features of both the epitaxial growth techniques, when used for growing QWH are presented in the next part of this review. Finally, the possibilities of application of PL and CLI to studies on growth of QWH by MBE and MOVPE are demonstrated on a couple of selected examples. The review concludes with a short discussion on possible interpretation mistakes which may occur when one applies the CLI to studies of interfaces in QWH without taking into account the basic parameters of the excitonic luminescence lines creating the CL images of the relevant interfaces.

PurposeSweat is a relatively unexplored biofluid for diagnosis and monitoring of disease states. In this study, the proteomic profiling of immune‐related biomarkers from healthy individuals are presented.Experimental DesignEccrine sweat samples are collected from 50 healthy individuals. LC‐MS/MS is performed on two pools of sweat samples from five male and female participants. Individual sweat samples are analyzed by antibody isotyping microarrays (n = 49), human cytokine arrays (n = 30), and quantitative ELISAs for interleukin‐1α (n = 16), epidermal growth factor (n = 6), and angiogenin (n = 7).ResultsIn sweat, 220 unique proteins are identified by shotgun analysis. Detectable antibody isotypes include IgA (100% positive; median 1230 ± 28 700 pg mL−1), IgD (18%; 22.0 ± 119 pg mL−1), IgG1 (96%; 1640 ± 6750 pg mL−1), IgG2 (37%; 292 ± 6810 pg mL−1), IgG3 (71%; 74.0 ± 119 pg mL−1), IgG4 (69%; 43.0 ± 42.0 pg mL−1), and IgM (41%; 69.0 ± 1630 pg mL−1). Of 42 cytokines, three are readily detected in all sweat samples (p < 0.01). The median concentration for interleukin‐1α is 352 ± 521 pg mL−1, epidermal growth factor is 86.5 ± 147 pg mL−1, and angiogenin is 38.3 ± 96.3 pg mL−1. Multiple other cytokines are detected at lower levels.Conclusions and Clinical RelevanceSweat can be used for profiling antibodies and innate immune biomarkers.

We demonstrate the microassembly of PDMS (polydimethylsiloxane) microfluidics with integrated circuits made in complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) processes. CMOS-sized chips are flip chip bonded to a flexible polyimide printed circuit board (PCB) with commercially available solder paste patterned using a SU-8 epoxy. The average resistance of each flip chip bond is negligible and all connections are electrically isolated. PDMS is attached to the flexible polyimide PCB using a combination of oxygen plasma treatment and chemical bonding with 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane. The total device has a burst pressure of 175 kPA which is limited by the strength of the flip chip attachment. This technique allows the sensor area of the die to act as the bottom of the microfluidic channel. The SU-8 provides a barrier between the pad ring (electrical interface) and the fluids; post-processing is not required on the CMOS die. This assembly method shows great promise for developing analytic systems which combine the strengths of microelectronics and microfluidics into one device.

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We discuss the design, fabrication, and testing of a hybrid microsystem for stand-alone cell culture and incubation. The micro-incubator is engineered through the integration of a silicon CMOS die for the heater and temperature sensor, with multilayer silicone (PDMS) structures namely, fluidic channels and a 1.5-mm diameter 12-muL culture well. A 90-mum-thick PDMS membrane covers the top of the culture well, acting as barrier to contaminants while at the same time allowing the cells to breath and exchange gases with the ambient environment. The packaging for the microsystem includes a flexible polyimide electronic ribbon cable and four fluidic ports that provide external interfaces to electrical energy, closed-loop sensing and electronic control as well as solid and liquid supplies. The complete structure has a size of (2.5times2.5times0.6) cm(3). We have employed the device to successfully culture BHK-21 cells autonomously over a three day period in ambient environment.