Abstract: A photonic bandgap crystal or photonic bandgap crystal material comprising a self-assembled crystalline colloidal array (CCA) of monodisperse spherical particles having a face-centered-cubic (fcc) or a body-centered-cubic (bcc) lattice dispersed in a medium. The photonic bandgap crystal or photonic bandgap crystal material has a photonic bandgap for light in the visible and near-IR or a photonic bandgap for light in the visible range of wavelengths less than about 700 nm.

Abstract: A method of preparation of a 2-D array of particles comprising: mixing the particles and a first liquid, the first liquid having the properties of being soluble in water and reducing surface tension of a water surface; adding the mixture to the water surface; and transferring the 2-D array onto a solid surface. A composition comprising: a 2-D array of particles; and a polymer substantially enveloping the 2-D array of particles.

Abstract: A method of preparation of a 2-D array of particles comprising: mixing the particles and a first liquid, the first liquid having the properties of being soluble in water and reducing surface tension of a water surface; adding the mixture to the water surface; and transferring the 2-D array onto a solid surface. A composition comprising: a 2-D array of particles; and a polymer substantially enveloping the 2-D array of particles.

Abstract: A photonic bandgap crystal or photonic bandgap crystal material comprising a self-assembled crystalline colloidal array (CCA) of monodisperse spherical particles having a face-centered-cubic (fcc) or a body-centered-cubic (bcc) lattice dispersed in a medium. The photonic bandgap crystal or photonic bandgap crystal material has a photonic bandgap for light in the visible and near-IR or a photonic bandgap for light in the visible range of wavelengths less than about 700 nm.

Abstract: A chemical sensor comprising: a hydrogel layer, comprising one or more molecular recognition agents and a 2DPC self-assembling array; and a mirror layer. A method for analyzing a sample or bodily fluid, comprising: obtaining a sample or bodily fluid; placing an amount of the sample or bodily fluid onto a chemical sensor, comprising: a hydrogel layer, comprising a molecular recognition agent and a 2DPC self-assembling array; a tethering hydrogel layer; a mirror layer; and a membrane filter layer, allowing the bodily fluid to interact with the hydrogel layer; and allowing ambient or artificial light to pass through the hydrogel layer onto the mirror layer and observing a change in diffraction versus a control.

Abstract: Disclosed are a new composite material and a process for synthesizing highly charged, highly monodisperse, core-shell particles with high refractive index cores, as well as stable, long lasting crystalline colloidal arrays (CCAs) formed thereof. A preferred embodiment of the core particle can be highly monodisperse zinc sulfide (ZnS) particles and a preferred embodiment of the shell can be highly charged polyelectrolytes. The CCAs formed thereof are charge stabilized photonic crystals that shows distinctive first and second order Bragg diffraction peaks whose locations vary over a wide spectral region from UV through visible to IR, with unusually strong intensity and broad band width due to the high index of refraction. These high refractive index particles are useful in applications such as optical filters, optical coatings, cosmetics and photonic crystals sensors and devices.

Abstract: A method of preparation of a 2-D array of particles comprising: mixing the particles and a first liquid, the first liquid having the properties of being soluble in water and reducing surface tension of a water surface; adding the mixture to the water surface; and transferring the 2-D array onto a solid surface. A composition comprising: a 2-D array of particles; and a polymer substantially enveloping the 2-D array of particles.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of making highly charged, monodisperse particles which do not absorb deep ultraviolet (UV) light and a method of making crystalline colloidal array (CCA) deep UV narrow band radiation filters by using these highly charged monodisperse particles. The CCA filter rejects and/or selects particular regions of the electromagnetic spectrum while transmitting adjacent spectral regions. The filtering devices of the present invention are wavelength tunable over significant spectral intervals by changing the incident angle of the CCA filter relative to the light. Larger wavelength changes can be obtained by changing the concentrations of particles in the CCAs. The present invention also includes applications of the CCA filter to hyperspectral imaging and Raman imaging devices.

Abstract: One aspect of the present disclosure is directed towards a new film forming paint that Bragg diffracts light in the visible and NIR spectral regions. The paint may be comprised of highly charged polymer spheres that self assemble and maintain their diffraction in the presence of the different ingredients of the paint formulation, so that the self assembled arrays diffract light in both wet and dry states. Another aspect of the present invention is directed to a process for making highly charged polymeric spheres. Another aspect of the present invention is directed to the highly charged polymeric spheres themselves. The high surface charge density of the spheres enables the stability and self assembly of the spheres in the presence of the other paint ingredients. These spheres can find useful practical applications in paints, inks, coatings, cosmetics and light filtering applications. Because of the rules governing abstracts, this abstract should not be used to construe the claims.

Abstract: One aspect of the present disclosure is directed towards a new film forming paint that Bragg diffracts light in the visible and NIR spectral regions. The paint may be comprised of highly charged polymer spheres that self assemble and maintain their diffraction in the presence of the different ingredients of the paint formulation, so that the self assembled arrays diffract light in both wet and dry states. Another aspect of the present invention is directed to a process for making highly charged polymeric spheres. Another aspect of the present invention is directed to the highly charged polymeric spheres themselves. The high surface charge density of the spheres enables the stability and self assembly of the spheres in the presence of the other paint ingredients. These spheres can find useful practical applications in paints, inks, coatings, cosmetics and light filtering applications. Because of the rules governing abstracts, this abstract should not be used to construe the claims.

Abstract: Disclosed are a new composite material and a process for synthesizing highly charged, highly monodisperse, core-shell particles with high refractive index cores, as well as stable, long lasting crystalline colloidal arrays (CCAs) formed thereof. A preferred embodiment of the core particle can be highly monodisperse zinc sulfide (ZnS) particles and a preferred embodiment of the shell can be highly charged polyelectrolytes. The CCAs formed thereof are charge stabilized photonic crystals that shows distinctive first and second order Bragg diffraction peaks whose locations vary over a wide spectral region from UV through visible to IR, with unusually strong intensity and broad band width due to the high index of refraction. These high refractive index particles are useful in applications such as optical filters, optical coatings, cosmetics and photonic crystals sensors and devices.

Abstract: The present invention is related to glucose sensors that are capable of detecting the concentration or level of glucose in a solution or fluid having either low or high ionic strength. The glucose sensors of the present invention comprise a polymerized crystalline colloidal array (PCCA) and a molecular recognition component capable of responding to glucose. The molecular recognition component may be a boronic acid, such as a phenylboronic acid, glucose oxidase, a combination of phenylboronic acid and poly(ethylene)glycol or crown ether, or another component capable of detecting glucose in various fluids and solutions. The glucose sensors of the present invention may be useful in the development of noninvasive or minimally invasive in vivo glucose sensors for patients having diabetes mellitus.

Abstract: A colored contact lens whose color is produced by Bragg diffraction incorporates a crystalline colloidal ordered array of particles to impart vivid sparkling color to the whole lens or a portion of the lens. In some embodiments, for example, only portions of the lens that would be located on the iris of the eye may be colored.

Abstract: A colored contact lens whose color is produced by Bragg diffraction incorporates a crystalline colloidal ordered array of particles to impart vivid sparkling color to the whole lens or a portion of the lens. In some embodiments, for example, only portions of the lens that would be located on the iris of the eye may be colored.

Abstract: A novel method is disclosed wherein polymerized crystalline colloidal array (PCCA) chemical sensing materials are used to detect the presence of certain chemical species in high ionic strength solutions, such as bodily fluids. The PCCA sensors consist of a mesoscopically periodic array of colloidal particles polymerized into a hydrogel. The array of colloidal particles diffracts light in the visible spectral region due to the periodic spacing of the particles. The PCCA materials also contain molecular recognition components that bind to the chemical species being detected. The binding or the chelation of the chemical species of interest results in a Donnan potential that swells the hydrogel and in turn red shifts the diffracted light proportionately to the concentration of the chemical species. However, no significant red shift response may occur for PCCA chemical sensors in high ionic strength solutions containing chemical species of interest.

Abstract: The present invention is related to photonic crystal devices that comprise novel mesoscopic periodic materials which comprise polymerized crystalline colloidal arrays (CCA) and at least one photosensitive component. Preferably, the photosensitive component is a photochromic molecule and more preferably the component is an azobenzene derivative. Methods for making these devices are also disclosed. The devices of the present invention are useful in many applications including, for example, optical switches, display devices and memory storage devices. The devices of the present invention permit the possibility to write with ultraviolet light and erase with visible light. In addition, the present invention is related to a functionalized polymerized crystalline colloidal array which preferably comprises reactive epoxide groups. The present invention is further directed to a photosensitive polymerized crystalline colloidal array.

Abstract: Novel sensor devices composed of a crystalline colloidal array (CCA) polymerized in a hydrogel are disclosed. The hydrogels are characterized as being capable of shrinking and swelling in response to specific stimuli applied thereto. As the hydrogels shrink or swell, the lattice structure of the CCA embedded therein changes, thereby changing the wavelength of light diffracted by the CCA. Thus by monitoring the change in diffracted wavelength, the concentration of a stimulus is determined. The gels can be modified to sense numerous different stimuli. The sensor devices are specific in that they are modified to react with only one species or family of species. These sensors have various applications in areas including, for example, environmental and chemical systems, chemomechanical systems, sensor devices and medical diagnostic tools. Various methods for making and using these devices are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention is related to glucose sensors that are capable of detecting the concentration or level of glucose in a solution or fluid having either low or high ionic strength. The glucose sensors of the present invention comprise a polymerized crystalline colloidal array (PCCA) and a molecular recognition component capable of responding to glucose. The molecular recognition component may be a boronic acid, such as a phenylboronic acid, glucose oxidase, a combination of phenylboronic acid and poly(ethylene)glycol or crown ether, or another component capable of detecting glucose in various fluids and solutions. The glucose sensors of the present invention may be useful in the development of noninvasive or minimally invasive in vivo glucose sensors for patients having diabetes mellitus.

Abstract: A novel method is disclosed wherein polymerized crystalline colloidal array (PCCA) chemical sensing materials are used to detect the presence of certain chemical species in high ionic strength solutions, such as bodily fluids. The PCCA sensors consist of a mesoscopically periodic array of colloidal particles polymerized into a hydrogel. The array of colloidal particles diffracts light in the visible spectral region due to the periodic spacing of the particles. The PCCA materials also contain molecular recognition components that bind to the chemical species being detected. The binding or the chelation of the chemical species of interest results in a Donnan potential that swells the hydrogel and in turn red shifts the diffracted light proportionately to the concentration of the chemical species. However, no significant red shift response may occur for PCCA chemical sensors in high ionic strength solutions containing chemical species of interest.

Abstract: A method of making a novel composition of a porous medium comprising volume elements of both voids and pores wherein the voids are much larger than the mean size of the pores. The method includes a first step of preparation of a porous medium comprising solid particles the approximate size selected for the voids and pores as volume elements and a second step of removing the particles by etching out with hydrofluoric acid or other means to form a porous medium comprising both voids and pores. In another embodiment, the voids are prepared from Bow etching out of a polymeric hydrogel silica particles which were allowed to self-assemble as a crystalline colloidal array prior to formation of the polymeric hydrogel around them, thereby forming a porous medium containing a crystalline colloidal array of voids containing aqueous solution. In another embodiment, a method of partitioning macromolecules between a solution comprising the macromolecules, and the voids and pores of a porous medium.