Abstract: This invention is metabolically engineer bacterial strains that provide increased intracellular NADPH availability for the purpose of increasing the yield and productivity of NADPH-dependent compounds. In the invention, native NAD-dependent GAPDH is replaced with NADP-dependent GAPDH plus overexpressed NADK. Uses for the bacteria are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods of strengthening composites. In some embodiments, such methods generally comprise a step of applying a dynamic stress to the composite in order to increase at least one of the stiffness or strength of the composite. In some embodiments, the composite comprises: a polymer matrix; nanomaterial fillers; and an interphase between the polymer matrix and the nanomaterial fillers. In some embodiments, the stiffness or strength of the composite increases permanently in response to the applied stress. In some embodiments, the increase in the stiffness or strength of the composite may be associated with an increase in the storage modulus of the composite, a decrease in the loss modulus of the composite, and a decrease in the loss tangent of the composite. In some embodiments, the applied stress results in a rearrangement of the interphase.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes carbon nanotube materials and condensation polymers having at least one bridge between carbon nanotubes. Carbon nanotube materials comprise a plurality of functionalized single-wall carbon nanotubes linked to at least one other single-wall carbon nanotube by at least one bridge. The at least one bridge comprises at least one amine functionality bonded to the functionalized single-wall carbon nanotubes. The amine functionality may be alkyl or aryl. Carbon nanotube condensation polymers having at least one bridge between single-wall carbon nanotubes are also disclosed. The bridges in the condensation polymers comprise an amine functionality and a condensation agent.

Abstract: A method for forming nanotube electrical devices, arrays of nanotube electrical devices, and device structures and arrays of device structures formed by the methods. Various methods of the present invention allow creation of semiconducting and/or conducting devices from readily grown SWNT carpets rather than requiring the preparation of a patterned growth channel and takes advantage of the self-controlling nature of these carpet heights to ensure a known and controlled channel length for reliable electronic properties as compared to the prior methods.

Abstract: Vertically-stacked electronic devices having conductive carbon films are disclosed. The vertically-stacked devices exhibit non-linear current-versus-voltage response over a voltage sweep range in various embodiments. The vertically-stacked devices may be assembled into arrays where the vertically-stacked devices may be electrically addressed independently of one another. Uses of the vertically-stacked electronic devices and arrays as two-terminal memory devices, logic units, and sensors are disclosed. Crossbar arrays of vertically-stacked electronic devices having conductive carbon films and nanowire electrodes are disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention includes single-walled carbon nanotube compositions for the delivery of siRNA and methods of making such single-walled carbon nanotube compositions. A single-walled carbon nanotube composition for delivery of siRNA includes a nonfunctionalized single-walled carbon nanotube; and siRNA noncovalently complexed with the nonfunctionalized single-walled carbon nanotube, wherein the siRNA solubilizes such nonfunctionalized single-walled carbon nanotube.

Abstract: Re-programmable antifuses and structures utilizing re-programmable antifuses are presented herein. Such structures include a configurable interconnect circuit having at least one re-programmable antifuse, wherein the at least one re-programmable antifuse is configured to be programmed to conduct by applying a first voltage across it and is configured to be re-programmed not to conduct by applying second voltage across it, wherein the second voltage is higher than the first voltage. Additionally, the re-programmable antifuses may be configured to a permanently conductive state by applying an even higher voltage across it.

Abstract: Bacteria optimized to produce succinate and other feedstocks by growing on low cost carbon sources, such as sucrose.

Abstract: In some embodiments, the present invention provides transparent electrodes that comprise: (1) a grid structure; and (2) a graphene film associated with the grid structure. In additional embodiments, the transparent electrodes of the present invention further comprise a substrate, such as glass. Additional embodiments of the present invention pertain to methods of making the above-described transparent electrodes. Such methods generally comprise: (1) providing a grid structure; (2) providing a graphene film; and (3) associating the graphene film with the grid structure. In further embodiments, the methods of the present invention also comprise associating the transparent electrode with a substrate.

Abstract: In some embodiments, the present invention provides novel methods of preparing porous silicon films and particles for lithium ion batteries. In some embodiments, such methods generally include: (1) etching a silicon material by exposure of the silicon material to a constant current density in a solution to produce a porous silicon film over a substrate; and (2) separating the porous silicon film from the substrate by gradually increasing the electric current density in sequential increments. In some embodiments, the methods of the present invention may also include a step of associating the porous silicon film with a binding material. In some embodiments, the methods of the present invention may also include a step of splitting the porous silicon film to form porous silicon particles. Additional embodiments of the present invention pertain to anode materials derived from the porous silicon films and porous silicon particles.

Abstract: This invention provides non-spherical nanoparticle compositions that are the reaction product of a source of a Group 12, 13, 14, or 15 metal or metalloid; a source of a Group 15 or 16 element; and a source of a quaternary ammonium compound or phosphonium compound; wherein nanoparticle tetrapods comprise 75-100 number percent of the nanoparticle products.

Abstract: In some embodiments, the present invention provides methods of detecting a molecule in a sample, such as an explosive. In some embodiments, the method comprises: associating the sample with an antigen/binding agent complex; measuring a rate of displacement of the binding agent from the antigen by the molecule in the sample; and correlating the measured rate of displacement to the presence of the molecule in the sample. In some embodiments, the measuring step comprises a determination of a change in frequency of the sample and a change in energy dissipation of the sample over a time interval. In some embodiments, the correlating step comprises a calculation of a ratio of a change in energy dissipation of the sample over a change in frequency of the sample over the time interval. In some embodiments, the method is used to determine the molecule concentration in the sample.

Abstract: This invention is generally related to a method of making a molecule-surface interface comprising at least one surface comprising at least one material and at least one organic group wherein the organic group is adjoined to the surface and the method comprises contacting at least one organic group precursor with at least one surface wherein the organic group precursor is capable of reacting with the surface in a manner sufficient to adjoin the organic group and the surface. The present invention is directed to hybrid molecular electronic devices having a molecule-surface interface. Such hybrid molecular electronic devices may advantageously have either a top or bottom gate electrode for modifying a conductivity of the devices.

Abstract: A nanoparticle coated with a semiconducting material and a method for making the same. In one embodiment, the method comprises making a semiconductor coated nanoparticle comprising a layer of at least one semiconducting material covering at least a portion of at least one surface of a nanoparticle, comprising: (A) dispersing the nanoparticle under suitable conditions to provide a dispersed nanoparticle; and (B) depositing at least one semiconducting material under suitable conditions onto at least one surface of the dispersed nanoparticle to produce the semiconductor coated nanoparticle. In other embodiments, the nanoparticle comprises a fullerene. Further embodiments include the semiconducting material comprising CdS or CdSe.

Abstract: Drilling fluids comprising graphenes and nanoplatelet additives and methods for production thereof are disclosed. Graphene includes graphite oxide, graphene oxide, chemically-converted graphene, and functionalized chemically-converted graphene. Derivatized graphenes and methods for production thereof are disclosed. The derivatized graphenes are prepared from a chemically-converted graphene through derivatization with a plurality of functional groups. Derivatization can be accomplished, for example, by reaction of a chemically-converted graphene with a diazonium species. Methods for preparation of graphite oxide are also disclosed.

Abstract: A fabrication process for conformal coating of a thin polymer electrolyte layer on nanostructured electrode materials for three-dimensional micro/nanobattery applications, compositions thereof, and devices incorporating such compositions. In embodiments, conformal coatings (such as uniform thickness of around 20-30 nanometer) of polymer Polymethylmethacralate (PMMA) electrolyte layers around individual Ni—Sn nanowires were used as anodes for Li ion battery. This configuration showed high discharge capacity and excellent capacity retention even at high rates over extended cycling, allowing for scalable increase in areal capacity with electrode thickness. Such conformal nanoscale anode-electrolyte architectures were shown to be efficient Li-ion battery system.

Abstract: Macromonomers capable of both physical crosslinking and chemical crosslinking. The combination of chemical crosslinking and physical crosslinking provides the ability to generate rapidly gelling hydrogels for many different applications. Moreover, the macromonomers may incorporate functional groups that allow for two different gelation mechanisms—thermal gelation and ionic gelation—further improving mechanical stability of hydrogels formed from the disclosed macromonomers.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention pertain to therapeutic compositions that comprise: (1) an active agent (e.g., paclitaxel); and (2) a nanoparticle (e.g., gold nanoparticle). In such embodiments, the active agent is covalently linked to the nanoparticle through a cleavable linker (e.g., a linker containing a hydrazone species). Other embodiments of the present invention pertain to methods of treating a condition in a subject by administering the above-described therapeutic compositions to the subject.

Abstract: Novel phototherapeutic methods and compositions are described herein. Nanoparticle-assembled microcapsules as a new type of delivery vehicle for photosensitive compounds may be synthesized through a two-step assembly process. Charged polymer chains and counterions may be combined with a photosensitive compound to form photosensitive aggregates, and then nanoparticles may be combined with the aggregates to form the microcapsules. The shell may be composed of nanoparticles and/or polymer, and the core interior may contain the photosensitive compound. Formation occurs rapidly (on the order of seconds) and the conditions are very mild (at room temperature, in aqueous solution, and at neutral pH). The microcapsule synthesis is highly suitable as an encapsulation method, particularly for a charged photosensitive molecule like ICG.

Abstract: A risk analysis system and method are provided. The system includes an analyzer for analyzing database instances by executing a query on each database instance and selecting a cutoff value. The analyzer also discards the sets of uncertainty data that yield query-result values below the cutoff value and retains the database instances that yield query-result values above the cutoff value as elite sets. The system also includes a cloner to replicate the elite sets, and a sampler to modify the elite sets so that each elite set is mutually statistically independent while still yielding query-result values above the cutoff value.