Abstract: A nanoparticle with tunable radial gradients of compositions extending from the center of the nanoparticles. The nature of the gradient preserves the metallic state of the nanoparticles, the diffusion of the constituents, and the oxidation of the interface. The gradients can be purposely varied to allow for specific applications in fields ranging from corrosion, magnetics, information technology, imaging, electromagnetic absorption, coating technologies, and immuno-precipitation. The nanoparticles can be easily used to advance many areas of industry, technology, and life sciences.

Abstract: A nanoparticle with tunable radial gradients of compositions extending from the center of the nanoparticles. The nature of the gradient preserves the metallic state of the nanoparticles, the diffusion of the constituents, and the oxidation of the interface. The gradients can be purposely varied to allow for specific applications in fields ranging from corrosion, magnetics, information technology, imaging, electromagnetic absorption, coating technologies, and immuno-precipitation. The nanoparticles can be easily used to advance many areas of industry, technology, and life sciences.

Abstract: A nanoparticle based assay for monitoring chemical reactions in real-time, ion concentrations in solution, and oxidation potential of ions in solution is describe. The assay is based on use of photoluminescent perovskite nanoparticles with the composition XYZ3. The XYZ3 nanoparticles are added to a reaction or a solution to be analyzed, and the optoelectronic response of the nanoparticle is proportional to the chemical kinetics of the reaction or concentration of target. The resulting color changes can be qualitatively monitored by eye or quantitatively by spectroscopy. The assays may serve as a compliment or replacement for routine chemical analysis performed over the course of a reaction.

Abstract: A bioluminescence energy transfer (BRET) nanosystem having semiconductive quantum rods (QRs) bound by firefly luciferase Photinus pyralis (Ppy) for improved conversion of chemical energy to light, such as in solid-state lighting, near-infrared imaging systems, and in vivo infrared imaging. The nanosystems are formed by synthesizing CdSe/CdS or CdSe/CdS/ZnS quantum rods, rendering the dots hydrophilic and colloidially stable with a facile His-capping, incubating with a Ppy variant (PpyGRTS) at increasing loading ratios, and adding an excess of the luciferin (LH2) substrate to the PpyGRTS-QRs.

Abstract: System and method for loading the front line anticancer drug, doxorubicin (DOX) onto DNA-capped gold nanoparticles whose duplex DNA has been designed for specific DOX intercalation. Since each AuNP contains about 108 high affinity drug sites, this design allows for a high local DOX concentration on the particle. Drug binding was confirmed by monitoring the increase in DNA melting temperature, the shift in the plasmon resonance maximum, and the increase in the NP hydrodynamic radius as a function of [DOX]/[DNA] ratio. The feasibility of the nanoparticles as a drug delivery system was demonstrated by showing that particle-bound DOX could be transferred to a target DNA.

Abstract: In some embodiments, DNA-capped nanoparticles are used to define a degree of crystalline order in assemblies thereof. In some embodiments, thermodynamically reversible and stable body-centered cubic (bcc) structures, with particles occupying <˜10% of the unit cell, are formed. Designs and pathways amenable to the crystallization of particle assemblies are identified. In some embodiments, a plasmonic crystal is provided. In some aspects, a method for controlling the properties of particle assemblages is provided. In some embodiments a catalyst is formed from nanoparticles linked by nucleic acid sequences and forming an open crystal structure with catalytically active agents attached to the crystal on its surface or in interstices.

Abstract: System and method for loading the front line anticancer drug, doxorubicin (DOX) onto DNA-capped gold nanoparticles whose duplex DNA has been designed for specific DOX intercalation. Since each AuNP contains about 108 high affinity drug sites, this design allows for a high local DOX concentration on the particle. Drug binding was confirmed by monitoring the increase in DNA melting temperature, the shift in the plasmon resonance maximum, and the increase in the NP hydrodynamic radius as a function of [DOX]/[DNA] ratio. The feasibility of the nanoparticles as a drug delivery system was demonstrated by showing that particle-bound DOX could be transferred to a target DNA.

Abstract: A system and method to tailor the optical properties of nanomaterials using a core-alloy-shell nano-ultrastructure. Atomic diffusion is used at the nanoscale in order to process as-synthesized nanomaterials into core-alloy-shell architectures. The alloy formation is controlled by the deposition of the alloy solute atoms, and then by alloy interdiffusion of the solute into the core nanoparticle. By controlling temperature, it is possible to control how far the solute diffuses into the core, which in turn allows the tailoring of the optical response of the particle itself. The alloy formation and subsequent interdiffusion allows tailoring of the nanoparticle composition and ultrastructure, resulting in a dramatic tunability of the metal nanostructures surface plasmon response.

Abstract: The synthesis of energy and sensor relevant nanomaterials that involves the colloidal synthesis of quantum dots (e.g. CdSe, CdS, ZnS, CdSe/ZnS) under well-controlled hydrothermal conditions (100-200 degrees C.) using simple inorganic precursors. The resulting nanomaterials are of high quality, and are easily processed depending upon application, and their synthesis is scalable. Scalability is provided by the use of a synthetic microwave reactor, which employs dielectric heating for the rapid and controllable heating.

Abstract: In some embodiments, DNA-capped nanoparticles are used to define a degree of crystalline order in assemblies thereof. In some embodiments, thermodynamically reversible and stable body-centered cubic (bcc) structures, with particles occupying <˜10% of the unit cell, are formed. Designs and pathways amenable to the crystallization of particle assemblies are identified. In some embodiments, a plasmonic crystal is provided. In some aspects, a method for controlling the properties of particle assemblages is provided. In some embodiments a catalyst is formed from nanoparticles linked by nucleic acid sequences and forming an open crystal structure with catalytically active agents attached to the crystal on its surface or in interstices.

Abstract: A method is featured for fabricating Carbon-supported AuPt nanoparticle catalysts for fuel cells, and particularly fuel cells using methanol as the fuel. The method prepares AuPt-based fuel cell catalysts having a wide range of controllable Au:Pt ratios. The AuPt catalysis are supportable on both carbon black (C) and C/TiO2 support materials. These materials demonstrate electro-catalytic activity towards CO and methanol oxidation, and O2 reduction. The same catalyst material is useful in constructing both anodes and cathodes, and demonstrates bifunctional activity.

Abstract: The present teachings are directed toward single metal and alloy nanoparticles and synthesis methods for preparing single metal and alloy nanoparticles.