Abstract: This disclosure concerns materials for detecting and removing gaseous chemical agents (e.g., cyanide, cyanogen, sulfide, nitrite, nitric oxide, and combinations thereof), devices including the materials, and methods of making and using the disclosed materials. Embodiments of the disclosed materials include a support material impregnated with cobinamide and/or a cobinamide derivative.

Abstract: The invention concerns a particle having a code from a library of codes embedded in its physical structure by refractive index changes between different regions of the particle. In preferred embodiments, a thin film possesses porosity that varies in a manner to produce a code detectable in the reflectivity spectrum. An assay detection method uses such a particle and detects a spectral shift in the presence of an analyte. Additional embodiments are disclosed including additional features.

Abstract: Methods and systems of the invention can determine the identity and quantity of analytes in a vapor. In preferred methods, a porous optical film is exposed to vapor which contains analyte. The porous optical film is heated and its optical response is monitored during heating. An optical response observed via heating can determine the identity and/or quantity of the analyte. In preferred embodiments, optical response during a thermal pulse is compared to a database of sensor responses that are characteristic of various analytes. Preferred methods are conducted a relatively low temperatures, for example below about 200° C. In preferred methods, a heating and cooling cycle produces a hysteresis curve in the optical response that is indicative of analytes. In preferred embodiments, a thermal reset pulse resets the porous optical film for later use and also provides an optical response that can be used for sensing.

Abstract: Disclosed are nanovectors of formula (I) that can be used simultaneously for the targeting, imaging and treatment, by photodynamic therapy, of cancer cells, and to biodegradable silicon nanoparticles containing a variety of photosensitizing molecules, in particular porphyrins, capable of targeting diseased cells and inducing cell death by excitation in the near-infrared region (>600 nm) in monophotonic and biphotonic modes. In formula (I), (AA) is a porous silicon nanoparticle.

Abstract: The invention concerns an article of manufacture that is a manufactured product marked with a microparticle and a method of marking manufactured produces. The microparticle tag includes a predetermined code embedded in its physical structure by refractive index changes between different regions of the particle. The particle has a diameter of a few hundred microns or less and has a plurality of layers.

Abstract: A minimally invasive controlled drug delivery system for delivering a particular drug or drugs to a particular location of the eye, the system including a porous film template having pores configured and dimensioned to at least partially receive at least one drug therein, and wherein the template is dimensioned to be delivered into or onto the eye.

Abstract: A method of controlled in vivo drug delivery is provided. A porous silicon matrix having pores sized and configured to admit to trap and then release a predetermined molecular complex with a predetermined dose-time profile is selected. The matrix contains the predetermined molecular complex so that the predetermined molecular complex is disposed within the pores of the porous silicon matrix. The matrix is introduced into a human body. The drug releases according the dose-time profile. The introduction can be via transdermal introduction, intramuscular injection, intravenous introduction, surgical implantation, inhalation, and oral ingestion.

Abstract: A method for simultaneously detecting and separating a target analyte such as a protein or other macromolecule that includes providing a porous silicon matrix on the silicon substrate, exposing the porous silicon matrix to an environment suspect of containing the target analyte, observing optical reflectivity of the porous silicon matrix; and correlating the changes in the silicon substrate to the target analyte.

Abstract: The invention provides a porous sensor and sensing methods that use a porous sensor with a porous nanostructure having an optical response and having a portion of the porous nanostructure filled with a fiducial marker that is non-reactive to an analyte of interest. In a preferred sensing method, reflectance spectra from both the fiducial marker and reactive portions of the porous structure are acquired simultaneously. The fiducial marker provides an internal reference that permits compensation for humidity, as well as off angle measurements. In addition, simple visual observations can reveal the presence of an analyte, including human observations.

Abstract: The invention concerns a particle having a code embedded in its physical structure by refractive index changes between different regions of the particle. In preferred embodiments, a thin film possesses porosity that varies in a manner to produce a code detectable in the reflectivity spectrum.

Abstract: Electroadsorption and charged based biomolecule separation, concentration and detection with porous biosensors. In preferred embodiments, a potential is applied to a porous electrode to separate and concentrate molecules from solution. The bimolecular analytes are captured by the porous electrode itself, the same electrode that is used to generate the electric field for electroadsorption. In additional preferred embodiments, pH of the solution is adjusted to separate and concentrate biomolecules. Setting the pH equal to the protein isoelectric point was determined by the inventors to maximize concentration of biomolecules into the porous biosensor. The methods include simultaneously optically detecting charged molecules captured by the porous electrode. Methods of the invention are benign to biomolecules of interest, which are demonstrated to retain a high percentage of their activity after being released from the biosensor. Methods of the invention provide label-free detection.

Abstract: A method for imaging leverages the fluorescence lifetime of a fluorescent Si-containing particle to distinguish from background fluorescence. A particle is introduced into tissue. An excitation light pulse is applied to excite luminescence from the fluorescent Si-containing particle. Time-gated measuring of a responsive luminescence signal identifies the particle. In preferred embodiments the particle is coated or encapsulated with an organic material. The fluorescence lifetime of particles can be controlled during manufacture, such as by oxidation levels, quenching treatments, or by aging. This permits introducing and using groups of particles in imaging that have unique lifetimes and multiple time gating can be used to identify different particles or to monitor the change in lifetime of a single set of particles as they respond to a biochemical stimulus. The particles can also be functionalized for affinity to particular tissues and can be loaded with treatment molecules.

Abstract: The invention provides nanostructure composite porous silicon and carbon materials, and also provides carbon nanofiber arrays having a photonic response in the form of films or particles. Composite materials or carbon nanofiber arrays of the invention are produced by a templating method of the invention, and the resultant nanomaterials have a predetermined photonic response determined by the pattern in the porous silicon template, which is determined by etching conditions for forming the porous silicon. Example nanostructures include rugate filters, single layer structures and double layer structures. In a preferred method of the invention, a carbon precursor is introduced into the pores of a porous silicon film. Carbon is then formed from the carbon precursor.

Abstract: This invention relates to devices, systems and methods for delivering preprogrammed quantities of an active ingredient to a biological system over time without the need for external power or electronics.

Abstract: A method for simultaneously detecting and separating a target analyte such as a protein or other macromolecule that includes providing a porous silicon matrix on the silicon substrate, exposing the porous silicon matrix to an environment suspect of containing the target analyte, observing optical reflectivity of the porous silicon matrix; and correlating the changes in the silicon substrate to the target analyte.

Abstract: Methods and systems of the invention can determine the identity and quantity of analytes in a vapor. In preferred methods, a porous optical film is exposed to vapor which contains analyte. The porous optical film is heated and its optical response is monitored during heating. An optical response observed via heating can determine the identity and/or quantity of the analyte. In preferred embodiments, optical response during a thermal pulse is compared to a database of sensor responses that are characteristic of various analytes. Preferred methods are conducted a relatively low temperatures, for example below about 200° C. In preferred methods, a heating and cooling cycle produces a hysteresis curve in the optical response that is indicative of analytes. In preferred embodiments, a thermal reset pulse resets the porous optical film for later use and also provides an optical response that can be used for sensing.

Abstract: The present invention uses externally applied electromagnetic stimulus to control and heat porous magnetic particles and material associated with the particles. The particles contain magnetic material, such as superparamagnetic iron oxide and are infused with a material. Application of a DC magnetic field allows them to be moved with their infused material, and application of an AC RF electromagnetic field allows them to be heated with their infused material. The material can be infused into pores of the particles and the particles can also adhere to an aqueous droplet. The present invention also provides a multi-layer porous magnetic particle. The particle includes a host layer having pores sized to accept magnetic nanoparticles. Magnetic nanoparticles are infused within pores of the host layer. An encoding layer includes pores that define a spectral code. The pores in the encoding layer are sized to substantially exclude the magnetic nanoparticles.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method of making a thin film and/or particle having a grey scale code embedded in its physical structure by refractive index changes between different regions of the thin film or particle, as well as thin films and particles made by the method. In a preferred method for encoding a thin film, a semiconductor or insulator substrate is etched to form a thin film including pores. The etching conditions are controlled to vary porosity in the thin film according to a pattern that will generate an optical signature in the reflectivity spectrum in response to illumination such that the optical signature will including a grey scale code. The etching waveform is formed by the addition of at least two separate sine components in accordance with the following equations (1)An=(Anmax?Anmin)/2; (2) kn=frequency=1/period; (3) yn=An[sin(knt??)+1]+Anmin (4) ycomp=[y1+ . . .

Abstract: A method for simultaneously detecting and separating a target analyte such as a protein or other macromolecule that includes providing a porous silicon matrix on the silicon substrate, exposing the porous silicon matrix to an environment suspect of containing the target analyte, observing optical reflectivity of the porous silicon matrix; and correlating the changes in the silicon substrate to the target analyte.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to immunizing agents and devices.