Abstract: The invention provides oil emulsion droplets and a general and facile method for providing same through the use of templating multilayer capsules. The oil emulsion droplets are further useful in fabricating liquid crystal droplet-based biosensors for the detection of target analytes such as bacteria or viruses in a sample.

Abstract: A method for generating layered structures is disclosed. The method comprises reacting an azide-functionalized material with an alkyne-functionalized material, one of which can be a nanoparticle or a microparticle and the other can be a substrate or another nanoparticle or microparticle. The method also includes generating layered structures having multiple layers which can be built up in multiple azide-alkyne reaction steps.

Abstract: A method of preparing a lanthanide-doped nanoparticle sol-gel matrix film having a high signal to noise ratio is provided. The sol-gels are also provided. A method of preparing light emitting sol-gel films made with lanthanide doped nanoparticles, for the production of white light is also provided. The method comprises selecting lanthanides for the production of at least one of green, red and blue light when excited with near infrared light, preparing nanoparticles comprising the selected lanthanides, stabilizing the nanoparticles with ligands operative to stabilize the nanoparticles in an aqueous solution and selected to be substantially removed from the sol-gel matrix film during synthesis, incorporating the stabilized nanoparticles into a sol-gel matrix and heating to increase the signal to noise ratio of the luminescence by substantially removing the low molecular weight organic molecules. Additionally, light emitting sol-gel films made with lanthanide doped nanoparticles are provided.

Abstract: The invention provides oil emulsion droplets and a general and facile method for providing same through the use of templating multilayer capsules. The oil emulsion droplets are further useful in fabricating liquid crystal droplet-based biosensors for the detection of target analytes such as bacteria or viruses in a sample.

Abstract: A method of preparing a lanthanide-doped nanoparticle sol-gel matrix film having a high signal to noise ratio is provided. The sol-gels are also provided. A method of preparing light emitting sol-gel films made with lanthanide doped nanoparticles, for the production of white light is also provided. The method comprises selecting lanthanides for the production of at least one of green, red and blue light when excited with near infrared light, preparing nanoparticles comprising the selected lanthanides, stabilizing the nanoparticles with ligands operative to stabilize the nanoparticles in an aqueous solution and selected to be substantially removed from the sol-gel matrix film during synthesis, incorporating the stabilized nanoparticles into a sol-gel matrix and heating to increase the signal to noise ratio of the luminescence by substantially removing the low molecular weight organic molecules. Additionally, light emitting sol-gel films made with lanthanide doped nanoparticles are provided.

Abstract: A functionalized nanoparticle is provided that comprises a nanoparticle synthesized from a mixture comprising lanthanide ions, a coating of silica or related materials and a presenting substrate. The presenting substrate can be conjugated to the nanoparticle for functionalizing the nanoparticle. The functionalized nanoparticle is less than about 350 nm in diameter.