Abstract: A sensing system incorporating a nano-scale fluoro-biosensor for detection of specifically targeted bio-contaminants (targets). Select embodiments use fluorescent nanoparticles such as quantum dots (QD) conjugated to antibody fragments to form a sensor for a specific bio-contaminant based on fluorescent resonance energy transfer (FRET). A quenching dye may be used to label an analog, while a specific antibody is covalently bonded to a hydrophilic QD. Coupling of QD labeled antibodies and quencher labeled analogs provides enough proximity to produce appreciable FRET-based quenching. Any addition of the target displaces the dye-labeled bacteria, eliminating FRET-based quenching and results in a concentration-dependent increase in QD photoluminescence. Applications include rapid detection and identification, with a high degree of specificity and sensitivity, of a broad range of targets, including viral contaminants, e.g., in less than about three minutes.

Abstract: A self-healing coating, incorporating medium-sized microcapsules filled with a liquid formulation, repairs itself upon physical compromise. In one embodiment, a commercial primer is mixed with these microcapsules and applied. After the coating has cured, any physical compromise of the cured coating results in the microcapsules bursting to release the liquid, in turn filling and sealing the compromised volume of the coating. In applications where a product is used to provide corrosion protection, the liquid contains anti-corrosion material as well as suitable diluents and film-forming compounds. In a preferred embodiment, the microcapsules are provided separately to be mixed with commercial products during preparation for application of the coating. For example, if a paint formulation is known a priori, tailored microcapsules packaged separately from the paint and designed for use with the paint formulation, are wet mixed into the paint during preparation for application.

Abstract: Self-healing coatings incorporate microcapsules of about 60-150 microns diameter that contain film formers and dust suppression compounds suitable for controlling spalling of lead dust, for example. In one embodiment, a primer paint is mixed with these microcapsules and applied by brushing or rolling. After the coating has cured, any physical compromise of the coating results in microcapsules bursting to release liquid that fills and seals the compromised volume. The microcapsule contents protect the underlying substrate from damage and repair some of the outer coating. In one application, embodiments of these self-healing coatings seal existing lead-based paint for suppression of lead dust. In another embodiment, microcapsules are provided separately to enhance commercially available products.

Abstract: A liquid self-healing coating, incorporating microcapsules filled with tailored repair formulations, repairs itself upon physical compromise after curing. In one embodiment, a commercially available paint primer is mixed with a pre-specified amount of these microcapsules. After the coating has cured on the substrate to which it is applied, any physical compromise of the cured coating results in the microcapsules bursting to release a liquid that fills and seals the compromised volume of the coating. In applications where paint is used to provide corrosion protection, the liquid contains anti-corrosion material as well as suitable diluents and film-forming compounds. In another embodiment, the microcapsules may be provided separately to enhance commercially available products.