Abstract: The present invention provides a composition of porous mineral nucleus and a shell, wherein the porous mineral nucleus has a porous surface and the shell includes a material selected from the group of: a metal, an organic molecule, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel nanostructure composed of at least one elongated structure element, an elongated structure element of said nanostructure bearing a different zone made of metal, metal alloy, conductive polymer or semiconductor and selectively grown onto at least one of the end portions of the elongated structure element. The present invention further provides a selective method for forming in a liquid medium, such nanostructures.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to methods of producing nanowires comprising a PbSe core and a PbS shell, and methods of producing nanowires comprising a PbSe core and a PbTe shell. The method for producing the PbSe core/PbS shell nanowires comprise the steps of providing a core/shell growth solution comprising PbSe nanowires, heating the core/shell growth solution to a temperature sufficient to produce a PbS shell over the PbSe nanowires, adding a Pb precursor solution to the core/shell growth solution, and adding an S precursor solution to the core/shell growth solution after the addition of the Pb precursor to produce nanowires comprising a PbSe core and a PbS shell.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to methods of producing PbSexY1-x alloys and methods of producing PbSe/PbY core/shell nanowires. The method of producing PbSexY1-x alloys comprise providing PbSe nanowires, producing a PbY solution where Y?S or Te, adding the PbSe nanowires to an growth solution, and producing PbSexY1-x, nanowire alloys by adding the PbY solution to the heated growth solution comprising PbSe nanowires.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for producing, controlling the shape and size of, Pb-chalcogenide nanoparticles. The method includes preparing a lead (Pb) precursor containing Pb and a carboxylic acid dissolved in a hydrocarbon solution and preparing a chalcogen element precursor containing a chalcogen element dissolved in a hydrocarbon solution. The amount of Pb and chalcogen in the respective precursor affords for a predetermined Pb:chalcogen element ratio to be present when the Pb precursor is mixed with the chalcogen element precursor. The Pb precursor is mixed with the chalcogen element precursor to form a Pb-chalcogen mixture in such a manner that Pb-chalcogenide nanoparticle nucleation does not occur. A nucleation and growth solution containing a surfactant is also prepared by heating the solution to a nucleation temperature sufficient to nucleate nanoparticles when the Pb-chalcogen element mixture is added.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to methods of producing PbSexY1-x alloys and methods of producing PbSe/PbY core/shell nanowires. The method of producing PbSexY1-x alloys comprise providing PbSe nanowires, producing a PbY solution where Y?S or Te, adding the PbSe nanowires to an growth solution, and producing PbSexY1-x, nanowire alloys by adding the PbY solution to the heated growth solution comprising PbSe nanowires.

Abstract: The present invention provides probes functionalized with nanoparticles, methods for binding nanoparticles to the probes and the use of such probes in nanometer scale imaging techniques. More specifically, the present invention provides a tip device having at least a portion thereof with an outer surface bound to at least one sub-layer of a material comprising nanoparticles, the nanoparticles acting as donors, acceptors, modifiers, quenchers and/or enhancers with respect to electromagnetic radiation.

Abstract: Novel nanoparticles-entrapping spherical composites, composed of a metal oxide or semi-metal oxide and a hydrophobic polymer, are disclosed. The spherical composites are characterized by well-defined spherical shape, a narrow size distribution and high compatibility with various types of nanoparticles. Further disclosed are processes for preparing the nanoparticles-entrapping spherical composites and uses thereof.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for producing, controlling the shape and size oft Pb-chalcogenide nanoparticles. The method includes preparing a Pb (Pb) precursor containing Pb and a carboxylic acid dissolved in a hydrocarbon solution and preparing a chalcogen element precursor containing a chalcogen element dissolved in a hydrocarbon solution. The amount of Pb and chalcogen in the respective precursor affords for a predetermined Pb:chalcogen element ratio to be present when the Pb precursor is mixed with the chalcogen element precursor. The Pb precursor is mixed with the chalcogen element precursor to form a Pb-chalcogen mixture in such a manner that Pb-chalcogenide nanoparticle nucleation does not occur. A nucleation and growth solution containing a surfactant is also prepared by heating the solution to a nucleation temperature sufficient to nucleate nanoparticles when the Pb-chalcogen element mixture is added.

Abstract: The present invention provides an optical method and device for the determination of an analyte in an assayed sample. The method and device of the invention are based on the use of semiconductor nanoparticles that carry a recognition agent. The detection is based on fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) between the semiconductor nanoparticle donors, which are excited with electromagnetic radiation, and acceptors in the form of dye-labeled or semiconductor nanoparticle-labeled agents, that are immobilized to the recognition agent in the presence of the analyte and under assay conditions. The method and device of the present invention are especially useful in the determination of DNA or RNA analytes, DNA polymerase or telomerase analytes, cancer cells through telomerase activity and single-base mutations. In such cases the recognition agent is a single-stranded oligonucleotide.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel nanostructure composed of at least one elongated structure element, an elongated structure element of said nanostructure bearing a different zone made of metal, metal alloy, conductive polymer or semiconductor and selectively grown onto at least one of the end portions of the elongated structure element. The present invention further provides a selective method for forming in a liquid medium, such nanostructures.

Abstract: The present invention provides probes functionalized with nanoparticles, methods for binding nanoparticles to the probes and the use of such probes in nanometer scale imaging techniques. More specifically, the present invention provides a tip device having at least a portion thereof with an outer surface bound to at least one sub-layer of a material comprising nanoparticles, the nanoparticles acting as donors, acceptors, modifiers, quenchers and/or enhancers with respect to electromagnetic radiation.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel nanostructure composed of at least one elongated structure element, an elongated structure element of said nanostructure bearing an electrically conductive zone selectively grown onto the elongated structure element. The present invention further provides a selective method for forming in a liquid medium, such nanostructures.