Abstract: Embodiments described herein generally relate to compositions comprising a graphene oxide species. In some embodiments, the compositions advantageously have relatively high oxygen content, even after annealing.

Abstract: Alloys of tunable compositions and corresponding optical, electrical and mechanical properties are described. Also described are their uses in optoelectronic devices and material interfaces.

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, in some aspects, provides methods, reagents, and kits for the functionalization of proteins on the surface of viral particles, for example, of bacteriophages, using sortase-mediated transpeptidation reactions. Some aspects of this invention provide methods for the conjugation of an agent, for example, a detectable label, a binding agent, a click-chemistry handle, or a small molecule to a surface protein of a viral particle. Kits comprising reagents useful for the generation of functionalized viral particles are also provided, as are precursor proteins that comprise a sortase recognition motif, and viral particles comprising such precursor proteins. Nucleic acids encoding viral proteins comprising a sortase recognition motif and expression vectors comprising such nucleic acids are also provided.

Abstract: A dodecamer peptide, and its modified variant, having a repeating glycine-lysine sequence was created and found to bind with high affinity to oxide surfaces and certain activated polymeric surfaces. Reversible binding characteristics of the peptides were demonstrated. The peptides were integrated with proteins, cells and fusion proteins to provide attachment of the proteins, cells and fusion proteins to solid material structures. The peptides can be used to functionalize surfaces of components within mechanical, in mechanical, biomechanical, micro fluidic, electronic, bioelectronic, bio-optical, and biochemical devices. Experiments were carried out to assess functionalization and reusability of a suspended mass resonator's cantilever.

Abstract: A method of making a metal oxide nanoparticle comprising contacting an aqueous solution of a metal salt with an oxidant. The method is safe, environmentally benign, and uses readily available precursors. The size of the nanoparticles, which can be as small as 1 nm or smaller, can be controlled by selecting appropriate conditions. The method is compatible with biologically derived scaffolds, such as virus particles chosen to bind a desired material. The resulting nanoparticles can be porous and provide advantageous properties as a catalyst.

Abstract: Carbonic anhydrase can be expressed on a cell surface in a system and method for mineralizing carbon dioxide. The system and method can optionally include a mineralization peptide to facilitate formation of minerals from carbonate ions and divalent metal cations.

Abstract: The present invention includes compositions and methods for selective binding of amino acid oligomers to semiconductor and elemental carbon-containing materials. One form of the present invention is a method for controlling the particle size of the semiconductor or elemental carbon-containing material by interacting an amino acid oligomer that specifically binds the material with solutions that can result in the formation of the material. The same method can be used to control the aspect ratio of the nanocrystal particles of the semiconductor material. Another form of the present invention is a method to create nanowires from the semiconductor or elemental carbon-containing material. Yet another form of the present invention is a biologic scaffold comprising a substrate capable of binding one or more biologic materials, one or more biologic materials attached to the substrate, and one or more elemental carbon-containing molecules attached to one or more biologic materials.

Abstract: A light emitting device includes a substrate layer, a first injection contact positioned over the substrate layer, a first dielectric layer positioned over the first injection contact, a light emission layer positioned over the first dielectric layer, a second dielectric layer positioned over the light emission layer and a second injection contact positioned over the second dielectric layer. The light emission layer includes an organic template having binding sites for binding nanoparticles into an array. The wavelength of emitted light is dependent upon the size of the nanoparticles and the pitch of the array. The light emitting device may include a first plurality of binding sites for binding a first set of nanoparticles and a second plurality of binding sites for binding a second set of nanoparticles. The wavelength depends upon a ratio of the first plurality to the second plurality of binding sites.

Abstract: A method of making a metal oxide nanoparticle comprising contacting an aqueous solution of a metal salt with an oxidant. The method is safe, environmentally benign, and uses readily available precursors. The size of the nanoparticles, which can be as small as 1 nm or smaller, can be controlled by selecting appropriate conditions. The method is compatible with biologically derived scaffolds, such as virus particles chosen to bind a desired material. The resulting nanoparticles can be porous and provide advantageous properties as a catalyst.

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: A dodecamer peptide, and its modified variant, having a repeating glycine-lysine sequence was created and found to bind with high affinity to oxide surfaces and certain activated polymeric surfaces. Reversible binding characteristics of the peptides were demonstrated. The peptides were integrated with proteins, cells and fusion proteins to provide attachment of the proteins, cells and fusion proteins to solid material structures. The peptides can be used to functionalize surfaces of components within mechanical, in mechanical, biomechanical, micro fluidic, electronic, bioelectronic, bio-optical, and biochemical devices. Experiments were carried out to assess functionalization and reusability of a suspended mass resonator's cantilever.

Abstract: A light emitting device includes a substrate layer, a first injection contact positioned over the substrate layer, a first dielectric layer positioned over the first injection contact, a light emission layer positioned over the first dielectric layer, a second dielectric layer positioned over the light emission layer and a second injection contact positioned over the second dielectric layer. The light emission layer includes an organic template having binding sites for binding nanoparticles into an array. The wavelength of emitted light is dependent upon the size of the nanoparticles and the pitch of the array. The light emitting device may include a first plurality of binding sites for binding a first set of nanoparticles and a second plurality of binding sites for binding a second set of nanoparticles. The wavelength depends upon a ratio of the first plurality to the second plurality of binding sites.

Abstract: Discrete and diffuse defects in a surface are detected. Discrete defects that may compromise the performance may be repaired.

Abstract: Alloys of tunable compositions and corresponding optical, electrical and mechanical properties are described. Also described are their uses in optoelectronic devices and material interfaces.

Abstract: The present invention includes methods for producing magnetic nanocrystals by using a biological molecule that has been modified to possess an amino acid oligomer that is capable of specific binding to a magnetic material.

Abstract: The present invention includes compositions and methods for selective binding of amino acid oligomers to semiconductor and elemental carbon-containing materials. One form of the present invention is a method for controlling the particle size of the semiconductor or elemental carbon-containing material by interacting an amino acid oligomer that specifically binds the material with solutions that can result in the formation of the material. The same method can be used to control the aspect ratio of the nanocrystal particles of the semiconductor material. Another form of the present invention is a method to create nanowires from the semiconductor or elemental carbon-containing material. Yet another form of the present invention is a biologic scaffold comprising a substrate capable of binding one or more biologic materials, one or more biologic materials attached to the substrate, and one or more elemental carbon-containing molecules attached to one or more biologic materials.

Abstract: The invention provides nanosensors and nanosensor components for the detection of ion channel activity, receptor activity, or protein protein interactions. Certain of the nanosensor components comprise a nanoparticle and recognition domain. Following contact with cells and, optionally, internalization of the nanosensor component by a cell, the recognition domain binds to a target domain, e.g., a heterologous target domain, of a polypeptide of interest such as an ion channel subunit, G protein coupled receptor (GPCR), or G protein subunit. Ion channel activity, GPCR activity, or altered protein interaction results in a detectable signal. The nanoparticles may be functionalized so that they respond to the presence of an ion by altering their proximity. Certain of the nanosensors utilize the phenomenon of plasmon resonance to produce a signal while others utilize magnetic properties, RET, and/or ion-sensitive moieties. Also provided are polypeptides, e.g.

Abstract: A variety of compositions that include a metal oxide, films and batteries comprising one or more of the compositions, and methods of making the same.