Abstract: A thermally luminescent temperature sensor with a rare earth emitter having a first selective electromagnetic light energy emission band and a second selective electromagnetic light energy emission band in which the rare earth emitter converts thermal energy to electromagnetic light energy within the first and second selective energy emission bands. The sensor also has a selective optical detector in optical communication with the rare earth emitter, wherein the selective optical detector independently detects each the first and second selective electromagnetic light energy emission bands. Lastly, the thermally luminescent temperature sensor determines the temperature based on the electromagnetic light energy measured within the first and second selective energy emission bands relative to each other. Optionally additional emission bands may be used in the evaluation of the temperature.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for rapid uniform heating of a target material by providing a target material; providing a plurality of electrostrictive nanoparticles contained in the target material; providing a radio frequency alternating electric field that is coupled to the plurality of electrostrictive nanoparticles; and heating the target material.

Abstract: A method of extracting fullerenes from a carbon matrix in which they are produced. The method is applicable to both fullerenes that exhibit greater than 0.1 mg/ml solubility in toluene and to fullerenes that are essentially insoluble in toluene, i.e., those exhibiting less than or equal to 0.1 mg/ml solubility. The method disclosed herein extracts more of the soluble fullerenes from the carbon matrix than extraction conducted by solely contacting with solvent. A method is also provided for creating salts of the extracted fullerenes.

Abstract: A non-toxic contrast agent for enhancing contrast in in vivo magnetic resonance measurements, comprised of a water-soluble, stable paramagnetic fullerene that is free of paramagnetic metal species. A preferred contrast agent is a fullerol having at least one unpaired electron.