Abstract: The invention encompasses reagents comprising particles with at least one Raman dye and a specific binding members bound thereto and methods of using such reagents. The invention also encompasses reagents of a specific binding member and two or more different Raman dyes and methods for using such reagents. New types of particle probes having a specific binding member bound thereto are described. These reagents are used in a novel detection strategy that utilizes the catalytic properties of the Au nanoparticles to generate a silver coating that can behave as a surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) promoter for the dye-labeled particles that have been captured by target and an underlying chip in microarray format.

Abstract: The invention is a novel photo-induced method for converting large quantities of silver nanospheres into nanoprisms, the nanoprisms formed by this method and applications in which the nanoprisms are useful. Significantly, this light driven process results in a colloid with a unique set of optical properties that directly relate to the nanoprism shape of the particles. Theoretical calculations coupled with experimental observations allow for the assignment of the nanoprism plasmon bands and the first identification of two distinct quadrupole plasmon resonances for a nanoparticle. Finally, unlike the spherical particles from which they derive and which Rayleigh light scatter in the blue, these nanoprisms exhibit scattering in the red, permitting multicolor diagnostic labels based not only on nanoparticle composition and size but also on shape.

Abstract: The invention is a novel photo-induced method for converting large quantities of silver nanospheres into nanoprisms, the nanoprisms formed by this method and applications in which the nanoprisms are useful. Significantly, this light driven process results in a colloid with a unique set of optical properties that directly relate to the nanoprism shape of the particles. Theoretical calculations coupled with experimental observations allow for the assignment of the nanoprism plasmon bands and the first identification of two distinct quadrupole plasmon resonances for a nanoparticle. Finally, unlike the spherical particles from which they derive and which Rayleigh light scatter in the blue, these nanoprisms exhibit-scattering in the red, permitting multicolor diagnostic labels based not only on nanoparticle composition and size but also on shape.

Abstract: The present invention provides nanoprisms etched to generate triangular framework structures. These triangular nanoframes possess no strong surface plasmon bands in the ultraviolet or visible regions of the optical spectrum. By adding a mild reducing agent, metal ions remaining in solution can be reduced, resulting in metal plating and reformation of nanoprisms. The extent of the backfilling process can be controlled, allowing the formation of novel nanoprisms with nanopores. This back-filling process is accompanied by a regeneration of the surface plasmon bands in the UV-visible spectrum.

Abstract: The present invention provides nanoprisms etched to generate triangular framework structures. These triangular nanoframes possess no strong surface plasmon bands in the ultraviolet or visible regions of the optical spectrum. By adding a mild reducing agent, metal ions remaining in solution can be reduced, resulting in metal plating and reformation of nanoprisms. The extent of the backfilling process can be controlled, allowing the formation of novel nanoprisms with nanopores. This back-filling process is accompanied by a regeneration of the surface plasmon bands in the UV-visible spectrum.

Abstract: The invention is a novel photo-induced method for converting large quantities of silver nanospheres into nanoprisms, the nanoprisms formed by this method and applications in which the nanoprisms are useful. Significantly, this light driven process results in a colloid with a unique set of optical properties that directly relate to the nanoprism shape of the particles. Theoretical calculations coupled with experimental observations allow for the assignment of the nanoprism plasmon bands and the first identification of two distinct quadrupole plasmon resonances for a nanoparticle. Finally, unlike the spherical particles from which they derive and which Rayleigh light scatter in the blue, these nanoprisms exhibit scattering in the red, permitting multicolor diagnostic labels based not only on nanoparticle composition and size but also on shape.

Abstract: A method of homogeneously forming metal chalcogenide nanocrystals includes the steps combining a metal source, a chalcogenide source, and at least one solvent at a first temperature to form a liquid comprising assembly, and heating the assembly at a sufficient temperature to initiate nucleation to form a plurality of metal chalcogenide nanocrystals. The plurality of metal chalcogenide nanocrystals are then grown without injection of either the metal source or the chalcogenide source at a temperature at least equal to the sufficient temperature, wherein growth proceeds substantially without nucleation to form a plurality of monodisperse metal chalcogenide nanocrystals. An optional nucleation initiator can help control the final size of the monodisperse crystals. Such synthesis, without the need for precursor injection, is suitable for the industrial preparation of high-quality nanocrystals.

Abstract: The invention provides new types of plasmon-driven growth mechanism for silver nanostructures involving the fusion of triangular nanoprisms. This mechanism, which is plasmon excitation-driven and highly cooperative, produces bimodal particle size distributions. In these methods, the growth process can be selectively switched between bimodal and unimodal distributions using dual beam illumination of the nanoparticles. This type of cooperative photo-control over nanostructure growth enables synthesis of monodisperse nanoprisms with a preselected edge length in the 30-120 nm range simply by using one beam to turn off bimodal growth and the other (varied over the 450-700 nm range) for controlling particle size.

Abstract: The invention encompasses reagents comprising particles with at least one Raman dye and a specific binding members bound thereto and methods of using such reagents. The invention also encompasses reagents of a specific binding member and two or more different Raman dyes and methods for using such reagents. New types of particle probes having a specific binding member bound thereto are described. These reagents are used in a novel detection strategy that utilizes the catalytic properties of the Au nanoparticles to generate a silver coating that can behave as a surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) promoter for the dye-labeled particles that have been captured by target and an underlying chip in microarray format.

Abstract: The invention encompasses reagents comprising particles with at least one Raman dye and a specific binding members bound thereto and methods of using such reagents. The invention also encompases reagents of a specific binding member and two or more different Raman dyes and methods for using such reagents.

Abstract: The invention is a novel photo-induced method for converting large quantities of silver nanospheres into nanoprisms, the nanoprisms formed by this method and applications in which the nanoprisms are useful. Significantly, this light driven process results in a colloid with a unique set of optical properties that directly relate to the nanoprism shape of the particles. Theoretical calculations coupled with experimental observations allow for the assignment of the nanoprism plasmon bands and the first identification of two distinct quadrupole plasmon resonances for a nanoparticle. Finally, unlike the spherical particles from which they derive and which Rayleigh light scatter in the blue, these nanoprisms exhibit scattering in the red, permitting multicolor diagnostic labels based not only on nanoparticle composition and size but also on shape.