Abstract: A carbon capture device is described. The carbon capture device comprises a carbon capture film for capturing carbon dioxide; and an exposure mechanism for exposing a portion of the carbon capture film to a surrounding environment for capturing carbon dioxide. The exposure mechanism comprises a receiver for receiving an exposed portion of the carbon capture film and a storage for holding an unexposed portion of the carbon capture film, wherein the receiver is adapted to be connected to a portion of a leading end of the carbon capture film and to convey the unexposed portion of the carbon capture film from the storage to the receiver for exposing the portion of the carbon capture film to the surrounding environment. A method of using the carbon capture device for carbon capture is also described.

Abstract: There is provided a carbon capture mixed matrix membrane comprising: a polymeric support layer; and a carbon dioxide capture layer in contact with the polymeric support layer, the carbon dioxide capture layer comprising solid porous material with at least one carbon dioxide adsorption site, wherein the polymeric support layer comprises spatially ordered uniform sized pores. The polymeric support layer may be patterned by micro-molding, nanoimprinting, mold-based lithography or other suitable lithographic process. The carbon dioxide capture layer may comprise amine-functionalised material, metal-organic frameworks such as zeolite imidazolate framework 8 (ZIF-8) or copper benzene-1,3,5-tricarboxylate (Cu-BTC) which may or may not be amine modified. There is also provided a membrane module comprising at least one carbon capture mixed matrix membrane and a method of forming the carbon capture mixed matrix membrane.

Abstract: Compositions for biomedical applications are disclosed, containing infrared-emitting particles, which contain rare earth-elements that emit in the short-wavelength infrared (SWIR) spectrum, where the particles are encapsulated with a biocompatible matrix to form down-converting encapsulated particles and can optionally further include a contrast agent or radiolabel and be used as multimodal imaging agents, where the multimodal-imaging scheme can be selected from optical/MRI, optical/X-ray imaging, optical/CT, optical/PET and combinations thereof. Multimodal imaging methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of non-invasive infrared imaging, comprising (a) administering a composition containing infrared-emitting particles which contain rare earth elements that emit in the short-wavelength infrared (SWIR) spectrum, where the particles are encapsulated with a biocompatible matrix to form downconverting encapsulated particles; and (b) irradiating with infrared radiation, where both excitation and emission spectra of the encapsulated particles are in the infrared region. Analogous methods of image-guided biomedical intervention, and drug tracking and delivery are also disclosed. Also disclosed is a composition for biomedical applications, containing infrared-emitting particles which contain rare earth-elements that emit in the short-wavelength infrared (SWIR) spectrum, where the particles are encapsulated with a biocompatible matrix to form downconverting encapsulated particles.

Abstract: There is provided a carbon capture mixed matrix membrane comprising: a polymeric support layer; and a carbon dioxide capture layer in contact with the polymeric support layer, the carbon dioxide capture layer comprising solid porous material with at least one carbon dioxide adsorption site, wherein the polymeric support layer comprises spatially ordered uniform sized pores. The polymeric support layer may be patterned by micro-molding, nanoimprinting, mold-based lithography or other suitable lithographic process. The carbon dioxide capture layer may comprise amine-functionalised material, metal-organic frameworks such as zeolite imidazolate framework 8 (ZIF-8) or copper benzene-1,3,5-tricarboxylate (Cu-BTC) which may or may not be amine modified. There is also provided a membrane module comprising at least one carbon capture mixed matrix membrane and a method of forming the carbon capture mixed matrix membrane.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of non-invasive infrared imaging, comprising (a) administering a composition containing infrared-emitting particles which contain rare earth elements that emit in the short-wavelength infrared (SWIR) spectrum, where the particles are encapsulated with a biocompatible matrix to form downconverting encapsulated particles; and (b) irradiating with infrared radiation, where both excitation and emission spectra of the encapsulated particles are in the infrared region. Analogous methods of image-guided biomedical intervention, and drug tracking and delivery are also disclosed. Also disclosed is a composition for biomedical applications, containing infrared-emitting particles which contain rare earth-elements that emit in the short-wavelength infrared (SWIR) spectrum, where the particles are encapsulated with a biocompatible matrix to form downconverting encapsulated particles.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of non-invasive infrared imaging, comprising (a) administering a composition containing infrared-emitting particles which contain rare earth elements that emit in the short-wavelength infrared (SWIR) spectrum, where the particles are encapsulated with a biocompatible matrix to form downconverting encapsulated particles; and (b) irradiating with infrared radiation, where both excitation and emission spectra of the encapsulated particles are in the infrared region. Analogous methods of image-guided biomedical intervention, and drug tracking and delivery are also disclosed. Also disclosed is a composition for biomedical applications, containing infrared-emitting particles which contain rare earth-elements that emit in the short-wavelength infrared (SWIR) spectrum, where the particles are encapsulated with a biocompatible matrix to form downconverting encapsulated particles.

Abstract: The invention relates generally to photoconductive nanocomposite for near-infrared detection, and in particular, to cost-effective and highly photoresponsive photoconductive nanocomposite for near-infrared detection. In particular, the photoconductive nanocomposite comprises a photoconductive composite film of poly(3-hexyl-thiophene-2,5-diyl) (P3HT) mixed with NaYF4:Yb,Er nanophosphors. A method of forming an optoelectronic device cmprising the photoconductive nanocomposite is also disclosed herein.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for producing a composite material comprising a substrate and a monolayer of nanoparticles self-assembled thereupon, the method comprising: (i) providing a suspension comprising a solvent and nanoparticles dispersed therein; (ii) providing a substrate comprising a surface with void spaces for accommodating said nanoparticles; (iii) contacting one end of said substrate with said suspension in a closed system, to thereby gradually dispose said suspension over said substrate by capillary action, thereby forming a film of suspension on said substrate; and (iv) allowing evaporation of said film of suspension, thereby forming a monolayer of nanoparticles self-assembled in said void spaces on said surface of the substrate. The present invention also relates to composite material produced by the methods disclosed herein.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of non-invasive infrared imaging, comprising (a) administering a composition containing infrared-emitting particles which contain rare earth elements that emit in the short-wavelength infrared (SWIR) spectrum, where the particles are encapsulated with a biocompatible matrix to form downconverting encapsulated particles; and (b) irradiating with infrared radiation, where both excitation and emission spectra of the encapsulated particles are in the infrared region. Analogous methods of image-guided biomedical intervention, and drug tracking and delivery are also disclosed. Also disclosed is a composition for biomedical applications, containing infrared-emitting particles which contain rare earth-elements that emit in the short-wavelength infrared (SWIR) spectrum, where the particles are encapsulated with a biocompatible matrix to form downconverting encapsulated particles.

Abstract: Photoelectric systems combining a semiconductor and a phosphorescent compound with an emission spectrum of photons with energy levels equal to or greater than the activation energy of the semiconductor, wherein the phosphorescent compound is characterized by the emission spec-tram being produced by excitation of the phosphorescent compound with lower energy photons and the separation distance between the semiconductor and the phosphorescent compound is less than the distance at or above which scattering losses predominate. Methods are that embody technological applications of the photoelectric systems are also disclosed, as well as articles that embody technological applications of the photoelectric systems.

Abstract: Disclosed are luminescent compositions having luminescent particles coated by a surface capping agent. Luminescent particles include rare earth doped phosphors, semiconductor quantum dots, and organic phosphors. Surfactants include macromolecules, polypeptides, polysaccharides, and polymers. Rare earth doped phosphors have host compositions and rare earth dopants, wherein the host compositions include NaYF4, LaF3, YF3, CeF3, CaF2, CsCdBr3, and Y2O3, and wherein the rare earth dopants include Cs, Pr, Nd, Sm, Er, Gs, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tim, Yb, and combinations of two or more of these. The refractive index mismatch of the luminescent compositions and surrounding medium is less than about 0.1. Also disclosed are methods of making the luminescent compositions, luminescent devices and displays containing the luminescent compositions, uses of the luminescent compositions in particle imaging velocimetry, and uses of the luminescent compositions as contrast agents for disease monitoring.

Abstract: A rare earth element composition comprising CeF3 particles doped with one or more rare earth elements selected from Pr, Nd, Yb, and Er, wherein each rare earth element atom replaces a Ce atom in said composition. The composition is optically transparent to wavelengths at which excitation, fluorescence or luminescence of the rare earth metals occur. Composite materials having dispersed therein the compositions, and luminescent devices incorporating the composite materials are also disclosed.

Abstract: It is provided a Near Infrared Sensitive (NIR-sensitive) nanoparticle complex comprising a NIR-sensitive nanoparticle and surfactant(s) adsorbed on the nanoparticle, wherein the surfactant is at least one surfactant selected from: wherein X=1-9; Y=0-9; n=0-9; Z=1-9; W=0-9; m=0-9; each of R1, R2, R3 and R4, if present, is H, substituted or unsubstituted C1-C6 alkyl, substituted or unsubstituted C1-C6 aryl, HS, COOH, NH2 or OH; R5 is COOH, NH2 or OH; with the proviso that n+m is <10; (b) an amino acid having the structure in (a), wherein X=1; Y=2; Z=1; W=1; R1, R2 and R4 are not present; R3 is NH2; and R5 is COOH; or (c) a peptide, wherein the peptide comprise at least one amino acid (b). Further, it is provided a NIR-sensitive nanoparticle complex(es) having biomolecule(s), for example drug(s), loaded on the surfactant(s).