Abstract: This patent covers infrared phosphorescent materials which exhibit extended persistence lifetimes and are composed of mixtures of the elements zinc, antimony, gallium, tellurium, oxygen and nitrogen, and are doped with varying amounts of chromium, neodymium, dysprosium, yttrium or thulium. A typical formula is given by Zn(1-n %-m %-l %)SbxGa2-xTezO4+2z-yNy: n % Cr3+, m % P, l % Q, where Zn is zinc, Sb is antimony, Ga is gallium, Te is tellurium, O is oxygen, N is nitrogen. Additionally, x (0 to 2) y (0 to 0.5) and z (0 to 1) are the molar concentration in the composition. Cr3+ is the doped chromium ion, P is a codopant and Q is a second codopant and n, m, l are the concentration respectively (m,m,l are from 0.1 to 10). An example is the material ZnSbGaTeO5.95N0.05:3% Cr3+, 1% Nd3+, which has an emission peak at 760 nm and a persistent time of over 20 hours (measured with Fluorolog-3 spectrometer with a PMT detector).

Abstract: Bimetallic hybrid nanostructures exhibit enhanced properties beyond a single composition nanoparticle, but present technical challenges for synthesis that includes the ability to process two or more materials while offering control over structural arrangement. Unlike conventional synthetic strategies, biological systems are excellent manufacturers of complex inorganic materials which possess maximal functionality, quality, and structures. Using a bio-mediated approach, Applicants have developed a synthetic method for the controlled synthesis of bimetallic nanostructures using multifunctional peptides.

Abstract: Nanocomposites of repeat sequence protein polymers and phyllosilicates demonstrated improved material properties, for example, improved elasticity, and are useful as suture, tissue scaffolding, and biodegradable composite materials.

Abstract: A method is provided for identifying and isolating peptides capable of binding of inorganic materials such as silica, silver, germanium, cobalt, iron, or oxides thereof, or other materials on a nanometric scale such as carbon nanotubes, using a combinatorial phage display peptide library and a polymerase-chain reaction (PCR) step to obtain specific amino acids sequences. In the method of the invention, a combinatorial phage display library is used to isolate and select the desired binding peptides by a series of steps of target binding of phage with the nanometric material of interest, elution and purification of the bound phages, and amplification using PCR to determine the sequences of phages producing the desired binding peptides. The binding peptides of the invention are particularly advantageous in that they may be used as templates to guide the development of useful structures on a nanometric scale.

Abstract: A family of reflectin proteins is identified herein that is deposited in flat, structural platelets in reflective tissues of the squid Euprymna scolopes. These proteins are encoded by at least six genes in three subfamilies and have no reported homologues outside of squids. Reflectins possess 5 repeating domains, that are remarkably conserved among members of the family. The proteins have a highly unusual composition with four relatively rare residues (tyrosine, methionine, arginine, and tryptophan) comprising ˜57% of a reflectin, and several common residues (alanine, isoleucine, leucine, and lysine) occurring in none of the family members. These protein-based reflectors in squids provide a striking example of nanofabrication in animal systems.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for detecting infrared radiation is provided which comprises a temperature-sensing helical coiled-coil protein such as TlpA, CC1, collagen or myosin, incorporated into an electrically conductive film or gel deposited onto an electrically conductive medium such as an electrode, means for recording changes in conductivity or resistance of the conductive film or gel caused by the presence of infrared radiation and the effect of the infrared radiation on the thermal-sensing protein, and means to analyze the changes in conductivity or resistance in the conductive film caused by the infrared radiation so as to determine if infrared radiation is present.