Abstract: Methods for determining lipid composition. The lipid(s) in a composition may include phospholipids. A method may be carried out on an individual cell. A method may compare the Raman spectrum of the portion of a cell with a model Raman spectrum, which does not include the lipid component, where the difference between the Raman spectrum of the portion of the cell and the model Raman spectrum correlates to the lipid composition in the portion of the cell in the portion of the cell). A method may be used to diagnose a disease such as, for example, cancers, including breast cancer, prostate cancer, and via the presence and/or absence of abnormal or damaged cells in an individual.

Abstract: Methods for determining lipid composition. The lipid(s) in a composition may include phospholipids. A method may be carried out on an individual cell. A method may compare the Raman spectrum of the portion of a cell with a model Raman spectrum, which does not include the lipid component, where the difference between the Raman spectrum of the portion of the cell and the model Raman spectrum correlates to the lipid composition in the portion of the cell in the portion of the cell). A method may be used to diagnose a disease such as, for example, cancers, including breast cancer, prostate cancer, and via the presence and/or absence of abnormal or damaged cells in an individual.

Abstract: Photodynamic therapy methods using near infrared light and visible-light-absorbing photosensitizers and methods of generating visible light in an individual. The methods use upconverted incident near infrared light, for example, to excite the photosensitizer or facilitate drug delivery. The methods can be carried out on humans and non-human animals.

Abstract: Provided are core-shell nanoparticles and methods of making and using the nanoparticles. The nanoparticles comprise a core comprising hexagonal phase p-NaYbF4 doped with Tm and shell comprising NaYF4, NaLuF4, or NaGdF4. The core-shell nanoparticles can be used to upconvert near infrared light to UV or visible blue light, which can polymerize photopolymerizable materials. The core-shell nanoparticles can be used in applications such as, for example, photolithography applications, photopatterning applications, fabrication of polymer coatings, medical applications, dental applications, and anti-counterfeiting applications.

Abstract: A nanoparticle including a polysiloxane base having an exterior surface and having a photosensitizer at least partly exposed at its exterior surface, said photosensitizer being secured to the exterior surface by loading the photosensitizer onto the surface after formation of the polysiloxane base of the nanoparticle. The nanoparticle may have tumor targeting moieties and may be post loaded with cyanine dye. The nanoparticle preferably includes post loaded moieties providing at least two of tumor specificity, photodynamic properties and imaging capabilities and the photosensitizer is tagged with a radioisotope. A method for preparation of the nanoparticle is also provided.

Abstract: Provided are methods and compositions for inhibiting expression of one or more target genes. The compositions contain RNA polynucleotides that can inhibit expression of a target gene via RNA interference (RNAi) electrostatically complexed with surface functionalized gold nanorods (GNRs). The RNA polynucleotides are not covalently bound to the surface functionalized GNRs. The method involves inhibiting expression of a target gene in an individual. The method is performed by administering to the individual an effective amount of a composition containing surface functionalized GNRs electrostatically complexed with RNA polynucleotides, such as siRNA, that can inhibit expression of the target gene via RNAi. The siRNA is not covalently bound to the surface functionalized GNRs.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of preparing a carbon nanotube-quantum dot conjugate having a high density of quantum dots (QDs) on its surface. This method involves providing a plurality of semiconductor quantum dots and providing a thiol-functionalized carbon nanotube having a plurality of terminal thiol groups on its surface. The plurality of semiconductor quantum dots are attached to the surface of the carbon nanotube under conditions effective to yield a carbon nanotube-quantum dot conjugate having a high density of quantum dots on its surface. The present invention also relates to a carbon nanotube-quantum dot conjugate having a high density of quantum dots on its surface. The present invention further relates to a photodetector device. This device includes a substrate and a nanocomposite layer. The nanocomposite layer includes a plurality of the carbon nanotube-quantum dot conjugates previously described.

Abstract: A method is provided for detection of analytes using the Surface Plasmon Resonance effect. The method comprises providing a metal film on a transparent substrate. The free surface of the metal film is exposed to a test sample. An anlyte in the sample can interact directly with the metal film or via analyte binding molecules (ABMs) complexed to the film. Light is directed incident to the surface of film in contact with the substrate. Light is reflected from the surface of the film under SPR conditions. The reflected light is collected and the second and/or third harmonics of the resulting electrical signal, which are indicative of the phase and polarization state of the reflected light, are determined. The second and third harmonics are correlated to the presence and/or concentration of the analyte.

Abstract: Provided are methods and compositions for inhibiting expression of one or more target genes. The compositions contain RNA polynucleotides that can inhibit expression of a target gene via RNA interference (RNAi) electrostatically complexed with surface functionalized gold nanorods (GNRs). The RNA polynucleotides are not covalently bound to the surface functionalized GNRs. The method involves inhibiting expression of a target gene in an individual. The method is performed by administering to the individual an effective amount of a composition containing surface functionalized GNRs electrostatically complexed with RNA polynucleotides, such as siRNA, that can inhibit expression of the target gene via RNAi. The siRNA is not covalently bound to the surface functionalized GNRs.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and system of generating backward stimulated Rayleigh-Bragg scattering by focusing activating radiation through a multi-photon absorbing dye solution, thereby producing coherent output radiation with no measured frequency shift and measured pump threshold values independent of the spectral line width of the input activating radiation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of preparing a carbon nanotube-quantum dot conjugate having a high density of quantum dots (QDs) on its surface. This method involves providing a plurality of semiconductor quantum dots and providing a thiol-functionalized carbon nanotube having a plurality of terminal thiol groups on its surface. The plurality of semiconductor quantum dots are attached to the surface of the carbon nanotube under conditions effective to yield a carbon nanotube-quantum dot conjugate having a high density of quantum dots on its surface. The present invention also relates to a carbon nanotube-quantum dot conjugate having a high density of quantum dots on its surface. The present invention further relates to a photodetector device. This device includes a substrate and a nanocomposite layer. The nanocomposite layer includes a plurality of the carbon nanotube-quantum dot conjugates previously described.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and system of generating backward stimulated Rayleigh-Bragg scattering by focusing activating radiation through a multi-photon absorbing dye solution, thereby producing coherent output radiation with no measured frequency shift and measured pump threshold values independent of the spectral line width of the input activating radiation.

Abstract: The present invention provides organically modified silica (ORMOSIL) nanoparticles into which have been incorporated two-photon absorption dye molecules. The two photon absorption dye displays a unique aggregation induced fluorescence enhancement behavior. As a result ORMOSIL nanoparticles with high amounts of the dye can be prepared. These particles can be used for imaging. In one embodiment, the nanoparticles can additionally have incorporated therein a photosensitizer. The photosensitzer can be activated by intraparticle fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) from the dye aggregates resulting in enhanced fluorescence and singlet oxygen generation from photosensitizer under two-photon excitation conditions. Such nanoparticles can be used for photodynamic therapy applications.

Abstract: The present invention provides substituted phenanthroline compounds with high two photon absorption cross sections, as well as substituted phenanthroline compounds which additionally have quenched fluorescence emission upon two photon absorption.

Abstract: The present invention provides organically modified silica (ORMOSIL) nanoparticles into which have been incorporated two-photon absorption dye molecules. The two photon absorption dye displays a unique aggregation induced fluorescence enhancement behavior. As a result ORMOSIL nanoparticles with high amounts of the dye can be prepared. These particles can be used for imaging. In one embodiment, the nanoparticles can additionally have incorporated therein a photosensitizer. The photosensitizer can be activated by intraparticle fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) from the dye aggregates resulting in enhanced fluorescence and singlet oxygen generation from photosensitizer under two-photon excitation conditions. Such nanoparticles can be used for photodynamic therapy applications.

Abstract: A method of local temperature measurement in a sample is provided. The method comprises the stimulation, at a location in the sample, of anti-Stokes and Stokes emission from fluorophores which are present at the location in the sample, measuring the intensities of the stimulated radiation and calculating the temperature at the location from the measured intensities. The method can be used to obtain a thermal image of the sample.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a nanocomposite device comprising a polymeric matrix, semiconducting nanoparticles, and a semiconducting molecule having a field-effect mobility of at least 0.1 cm2/Vs. In addition, the present invention relates to a method of making a nanocomposite device. The method includes providing a mixture comprising a polymer, semiconducting nanoparticles, and a semiconducting molecule having a field-effect mobility of at least 0.1 cm2/Vs or a soluble precursor thereof, depositing the mixture on a substrate, and treating the mixture under conditions effective to produce a nanocomposite device comprising the polymeric matrix, semiconducting nanoparticles, and the semiconducting molecule having a field-effect mobility of at least 0.1 cm2/Vs. Thin film devices including the nanocomposite device are also disclosed.

Abstract: A process for producing semiconductor nanocrystal cores, core-shell, core-buffer-shell, and multiple layer systems is disclosed. The process involves a non-coordinating solvent and in situ surfactant generation.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel nanosized particles termed as “nanoclinics” for therapeutic and/or diagnostic use. The particles have a core made of a therapeutic or diagnostic material surrounded by a shell. Further, the particles contain a targeting agent on the surface of the shell for specific recognition of targeted cells. A method is also provided for lysis of cells using DC magnetic field. Further, the present invention also provides a method for fabrication of nanoclinics that can target and lyse specific cells such as cancer cells.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to styryl dyes having the formula: 1