Abstract: Provided are compositions for and methods of producing hydrogen. For example, the compositions comprise nanocrystals, a catalyst, a source of electrons, and an aqueous medium. The nanocrystals, catalyst, aqueous medium, and, optionally, the source of electrons are present as a mixture. The methods produce hydrogen by exposing the compositions to electromagnetic radiation (e.g., solar flux).

Abstract: Provided are compositions for and methods of producing hydrogen. For example, the compositions comprise nanocrystals, a catalyst, a source of electrons, and an aqueous medium. The nanocrystals, catalyst, aqueous medium, and, optionally, the source of electrons are present as a mixture. The methods produce hydrogen by exposing the compositions to electromagnetic radiation (e.g., solar flux).

Abstract: A sensor chip and detection device are disclosed. The sensor chip includes a substrate, at least a portion of which is covered by a metal nanoparticle film; a first nucleic acid molecule that is characterized by being able to (i) self-anneal into a hairpin conformation and (ii) hybridize specifically to a target nucleic acid molecule, the first nucleic acid molecule having first and second ends, which first end is tethered to the metal nanoparticle film; and a first fluorophore bound to the second end of the first nucleic molecule. When the first nucleic acid molecule is in the hairpin conformation, the metal nanoparticle film substantially quenches fluorescent emissions by the first fluorophore, and when the first nucleic acid molecule is in a non-hairpin conformation fluorescent emissions by the first fluorophore are surface plasmon-enhanced.

Abstract: Provided are methods for making quantum nanostructures based on use of a combination of nucleation and growth precursors. The methods can be used to provide quantum nanostructures of a selected size. Also provided are quantum nanostructures, compositions comprising the quantum nanostructures, and uses of the quantum nanostructures. The quantum nanostructures can be used, for example, in imaging applications.

Abstract: Provided are methods for making quantum nanostructures based on use of a combination of nucleation and growth precursors. The methods can be used to provide quantum nanostructures of a selected size. Also provided are quantum nanostructures, compositions comprising the quantum nanostructures, and uses of the quantum nanostructures. The quantum nanostructures can be used, for example, in imaging applications.

Abstract: A sensor chip that includes: a fluorescence quenching surface; a nucleic acid probe that contains first and second ends with the first end bound to the fluorescence quenching surface, a first region, and a second region complementary to the first region, the nucleic acid probe having, under appropriate conditions, either a hairpin conformation with the first and second regions hybridized together or a non-hairpin conformation; and a first fluorophore bound to the second end of the first nucleic acid molecule. When the first nucleic acid molecule is in the hairpin conformation, the fluorescence quenching surface substantially quenches fluorescent emissions by the first fluorophore; and when the first nucleic acid molecule is in the non-hairpin conformation, fluorescent emissions by the fluorophore are substantially free of quenching by the fluorescence quenching surface. Methods of making the sensor chip, and their methods of use are also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are magic size nanoclusters comprising lead and one or more chalcogens. The disclosed magic size nanoclusters have both spectrally narrow fluorescence and ultra-high quantum efficiencies. Further disclosed herein is a method for preparing PbS, PbSe, and PbTe magic size nanoclusters. The yield of magic size nanoclusters can be increased by using anion sources enriched for secondary phosphines. The use of enriched secondary phosphine anion sources also increases the yield of quantum nanostructures.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are magic size nanoclusters comprising lead and one or more chalcogens. The disclosed magic size nanoclusters have both spectrally narrow fluorescence and ultra-high quantum efficiencies. Further disclosed herein is a method for preparing PbS, PbSe, and PbTe magic size nanoclusters. The yield of magic size nanoclusters can be increased by using anion sources enriched for secondary phosphines. The use of enriched secondary phosphine anion sources also increases the yield of quantum nanostructures.

Abstract: A sensor chip and detection device are disclosed. The sensor chip includes a substrate, at least a portion of which is covered by a metal nanoparticle film; a first nucleic acid molecule that is characterized by being able to (i) self-anneal into a hairpin conformation and (ii) hybridize specifically to a target nucleic acid molecule, the first nucleic acid molecule having first and second ends, which first end is tethered to the metal nanoparticle film; and a first fluorophore bound to the second end of the first nucleic molecule. When the first nucleic acid molecule is in the hairpin conformation, the metal nanoparticle film substantially quenches fluorescent emissions by the first fluorophore, and when the first nucleic acid molecule is in a non-hairpin conformation fluorescent emissions by the first fluorophore are surface plasmon-enhanced.

Abstract: The present invention relates to one or more different types of calorimetric sensor agents and one or more different types of fluorescence quenching agents or substrates, as well as their combination and various uses thereof, including detection of target molecules in a sample.