Abstract: The present invention provides synthetic pigment structures, isolated pigment granules, and pigment proteins, as well as methods of making and using them.

Abstract: The present invention is based, at least in part, on the isolation of intact pigment granules from the brown chromatophores in the skin of the cuttlefish, Sepia officinalis and the characterization of the optical properties of the isolated pigment granules. In particular, it has been discovered that the isolated pigment granules not only fluoresce in the far red wavelength of light when excited with blue/green light, but they also absorb and transmit or scatter light in the visible light range and are stable and optically active under ambient conditions.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for encapsulating inorganic micro- or nanostructures within polymeric microgels are described. In various embodiments, viruses are encapsulated with microgels during microgel formation. The viruses can provide a template for in situ synthesis of the inorganic structures within the microgel. The inorganic structures can be distributed substantially homogeneously throughout the microgel, or can be distributed non-uniformly within the microgel. The inventive microgel compositions can be used for a variety of applications including electronic devices, biotechnological devices, fuel cells, display devices and optical devices.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for encapsulating inorganic micro- or nanostructures within polymeric microgels are described. In various embodiments, viruses are encapsulated with microgels during microgel formation. The viruses can provide a template for in situ synthesis of the inorganic structures within the microgel. The inorganic structures can be distributed substantially homogeneously throughout the microgel, or can be distributed non-uniformly within the microgel. The inventive microgel compositions can be used for a variety of applications including electronic devices, biotechnological devices, fuel cells, display devices and optical devices.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a coring drill and method for preparing a block for containing a receptacle assembly. The coring drill comprises a generally cylindrically-shaped corer hub having a longitudinal drilling axis. A generally cylindrically-shaped first corer has a first-corer axis coaxial with the longitudinal drilling axis and a first coring end having a first-coring diameter. The first-corer is removably attachable to the corer hub. A generally cylindrical-shaped second corer has an second-corer axis coaxial with the longitudinal drilling axis and a second coring end having a second coring diameter greater than the first coring diameter. The second-corer is attached to the corer hub. A generally cylindrical-shaped counter-borer has a counter-borer axis coaxial with the longitudinal drilling axis and a counter-boring end having a third coring diameter greater than the second coring diameter. The counter-borer is attached to the corer hub.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a coring drill and method for preparing a block for containing a receptacle assembly. The coring drill comprises a generally cylindrically-shaped corer hub having a longitudinal drilling axis. A generally cylindrically-shaped first corer has a first-corer axis coaxial with the longitudinal drilling axis and a first coring end having a first-coring diameter. The first-corer is removably attachable to the corer hub. A generally cylindrical-shaped second corer has an second-corer axis coaxial with the longitudinal drilling axis and a second coring end having a second coring diameter greater than the first coring diameter. The second-corer is attached to the corer hub. A generally cylindrical-shaped counter-borer has a counter-borer axis coaxial with the longitudinal drilling axis and a counter-boring end having a third coring diameter greater than the second coring diameter. The counter-borer is attached to the corer hub.