Abstract: Systems and methods for removing a contaminant from a liquid are generally described. The liquid (e.g., water) containing the contaminant may be flowed across a semipermeable membrane (e.g., via forward osmosis) that is not permeable to the contaminant in order to remove the contaminant from the liquid. A concentration gradient across the semipermeable membrane may be provided and maintained by electrolysis of the liquid and can drive forward osmosis of the liquid through the semipermeable membrane.

Abstract: Systems and methods for producing ammonia are described. In one embodiment, hydrogen, carbon dioxide, and nitrogen are dissolved in a solution. A glutamine synthetase inhibitor and autotrophic diazotroph bacteria are also placed in the solution.

Abstract: Systems and methods for producing ammonia are described. In one embodiment, hydrogen, carbon dioxide, and nitrogen are dissolved in a solution. A glutamine synthetase inhibitor and autotrophic diazotroph bacteria are also placed in the solution.

Abstract: Systems and methods for fixing carbon using bacteria are described. In one embodiment, a system includes a reactor chamber with a solution contained therein. The solution may include hydrogen (H2), carbon dioxide (CO2), bioavailable nitrogen, and a chemolithoautotrophic bacteria. The system may also include a pair of electrodes that split water contained within the solution to form the hydrogen. Additionally, the system may be operated so that a concentration of the bioavailable nitrogen in the solution is below a threshold nitrogen concentration to cause the chemolithoautotrophic bacteria to produce a product.

Abstract: Systems and methods for fixing carbon using bacteria are described. In one embodiment, a system includes a reactor chamber with a solution contained therein. The solution may include hydrogen (H2), carbon dioxide (CO2), bioavailable nitrogen, and a chemolithoautotrophic bacteria. The system may also include a pair of electrodes that split water contained within the solution to form the hydrogen. Additionally, the system may be operated so that a concentration of the bioavailable nitrogen in the solution is below a threshold nitrogen concentration to cause the chemolithoautotrophic bacteria to produce a product.

Abstract: The disclosure provides a bioreactor system for conducting nitrogen fixation with renewable electricity to produce an engineered soil microbiome enriched in ammonia and carbon. The disclosure further provides an inorganic-biological hybrid bioreactor system that couples the generation of H2 by electricity-dependent H2O-splitting with the nitrogen-fixing capabilities of autotrophic, N2-fixing microorganisms to cultivate NH3-enriched and/or carbon-enriched biomass. The disclosure also provides methods for using NH3-enriched and/or carbon-enriched biomass for applications, such as, biofertilizers for improving the characteristics and performance of soils, e.g., to enhance the yield of agricultural crops. The disclosure further provides biofertilizers, as well as engineered soils and seeds augmented with a biofertilizer.

Abstract: Systems and methods for fixing carbon using bacteria are described. In one embodiment, a system includes a reactor chamber with a solution contained therein. The solution may include hydrogen (H2), carbon dioxide (C02), bioavailable nitrogen, and a chemolithoautotrophic bacteria. The system may also include a pair of electrodes that split water contained within the solution to form the hydrogen. Additionally, the system may be operated so that a concentration of the bioavailable nitrogen in the solution is below a threshold nitrogen concentration to cause the chemolithoautotrophic bacteria to produce a product.

Abstract: A semiconductor nanocrystal can have a photoluminescent quantum yield of at least 90%, at least 95%, or at least 98%. The nanocrystal can be made by sequentially contacting a nanocrystal core with an M-containing compound and an X donor, where at least one of the M-containing compound and the X donor is substoichiometric with respect to forming a monolayer on the nanocrystal core.

Abstract: Systems and methods for producing ammonia are described. In one embodiment, hydrogen, carbon dioxide, and nitrogen are dissolved in a solution. A glutamine synthetase inhibitor and autotrophic diazotroph bacteria are also placed in the solution.

Abstract: A semiconductor nanocrystal can have a photoluminescent quantum yield of at least 90%, at least 95%, or at least 98%. The nanocrystal can be made by sequentially contacting a nanocrystal core with an M-containing compound and an X donor, where at least one of the M-containing compound and the X donor is substoichiometric with respect to forming a monolayer on the nanocrystal core.

Abstract: Systems and methods for fixing carbon using bacteria are described. In one embodiment, a system includes a reactor chamber with a solution contained therein. The solution may include hydrogen (H2), carbon dioxide (C02), bioavailable nitrogen, and a chemolithoautotrophic bacteria. The system may also include a pair of electrodes that split water contained within the solution to form the hydrogen. Additionally, the system may be operated so that a concentration of the bioavailable nitrogen in the solution is below a threshold nitrogen concentration to cause the chemolithoautotrophic bacteria to produce a product.

Abstract: An optical resonator can include an optical feedback structure disposed on a substrate, and a composite including a matrix including a chromophore. The composite disposed on the substrate and in optical communication with the optical feedback structure. The chromophore can be a semiconductor nanocrystal. The resonator can provide laser emission when excited.

Abstract: The disclosed device is a solid state organic semiconductor VCSEL in which the microcavity is composed of metal and dielectric mirrors and the gain layer is only ?/2n thick. The gain layer comprises a thermally evaporated 156.7 nm thick film of the laser dye DCM doped (2.5% v/v) into an Alq3 host matrix. The microcavity consists of 2 mirrors, a dielectric Bragg reflector (DBR) sputter-coated onto a quartz substrate as the mirror through which the organic gain layer is optically excited and laser emission is collected and a silver mirror that is thermally evaporated on top of the Alq3:DCM film. The device exhibits laser action from the DCM both when the DCM molecules are excited directly at 535 nm and via Förster Resonance Energy Transfer (FRET) from the Alq3 (excited at 404 nm) with laser thresholds of 4.9 ?J/cm2 and 14.2 ?J/cm2 respectively.

Abstract: Compositions, electrodes, systems, and/or methods for water electrolysis and other electrochemical techniques are provided. In some cases, the compositions, electrodes, systems, and/or methods are for electrolysis which can be used for energy storage, particularly in the area of energy conversion, and/or production of oxygen, hydrogen, and/or oxygen and/or hydrogen containing species. In some embodiments, the water for electrolysis comprises at least one impurity and/or at least one additive which has little or no substantially affect on the performance of the electrode.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to methods and compositions comprising macrocycles. In some cases, at least one beta-position of the macrocycle comprises an electron-withdrawing group, for example, a halide. In some embodiments, methods for forming and/or modifying a macrocycle using microwave energy are provided. In some embodiments, the compositions are employed in catalysis reactions.

Abstract: Binding an analyte can cause a change in fluorescence emission of a sensor. The change in fluorescence can be related to the amount of analyte present. The sensor can include a semiconductor nanocrystal linked to a fluorescent moiety. Upon excitation, the fluorescent moiety can transfer energy to the semiconductor nanocrystal, or vice versa.

Abstract: Methods of forming electrodes for electrolysis of water and other electrochemical techniques are provided. In some embodiments, the electrode comprising a current collector and a catalytic material. The method of forming the electrode may comprising immersing a current collector comprising a metallic species in an oxidation state of zero in a solution comprising anionic species, and causing a catalytic material to form on the current collector by application of a voltage to the current collector, wherein the catalytic material comprises metallic species in an oxidation state greater than zero and the anionic species.

Abstract: Binding an analyte can cause a change in fluorescence emission of a sensor. The change in fluorescence can be related to the amount of analyte present. The sensor can include a semiconductor nanocrystal linked to a fluorescent moiety. Upon excitation, the fluorescent moiety can transfer energy to the semiconductor nanocrystal, or vice versa.

Abstract: A semiconductor nanocrystal can have a photoluminescent quantum yield of at least 90%, at least 95%, or at least 98%. The nanocrystal can be made by sequentially contacting a nanocrystal core with an M-containing compound and an X donor, where at least one of the M-containing compound and the X donor is substoichiometric with respect to forming a monolayer on the nanocrystal core.

Abstract: Binding an analyte can cause a change in fluorescence emission of a sensor. The change in fluorescence can be related to the amount of analyte present. The sensor can include a semiconductor nanocrystal linked to a fluorescent moiety. Upon excitation, the fluorescent moiety can transfer energy to the semiconductor nanocrystal, or vice versa.