Patent ID: 8346484

Claim:
A method of characterizing a target molecule or group of molecules in an environment, comprising: identifying a group of resonant structures within the target, wherein: each resonant structure in the group possesses at least one characteristic resonant frequency; the characteristic resonant frequency of a shiftable resonant structure in the group can be shifted by exciting a shifting resonant structure in the group; and the group of resonant structures is substantially absent from nontarget molecules in the environment; determining a score specifying a set of applied frequencies that, when applied in sequence to the target, shift the characteristic resonant frequency of the shiftable resonant structure in the group through excitation of the shifting resonant structure in the group; excite the shiftable resonant structure at its shifted resonant frequency; and selectively change the energy or state of at least a portion of the target relative to its environment; and applying the set of applied frequencies to the environment of the target molecule.