Abstract: A method for patterning self-assembled colloidal photonic crystals and a method for fabricating three-dimensional photonic crystal waveguides having an inverted-opal structure using the patterning method. The patterning method includes depositing first and second conductive films separate from each other, on an area corresponding to a pattern of the self-assembled colloidal photonic crystals that are to be formed on a substrate and on another area except for the area corresponding to the pattern, respectively, and growing the photonic crystals on the substrate on which the first and second conductive films are deposited by dip-coating in a fluid containing colloidal particles while applying a DC voltage to the respective first and second conductive films. Various types of colloidal photonic crystals can be fabricated depending on the electrode pattern defined on the substrate.

Abstract: High throughput screening of crystallization of a target material is accomplished by simultaneously introducing a solution of the target material into a plurality of chambers of a microfabricated fluidic device. The microfabricated fluidic device is then manipulated to vary the solution condition in the chambers, thereby simultaneously providing a large number of crystallization environments. Control over changed solution conditions may result from a variety of techniques, including but not limited to metering volumes of crystallizing agent into the chamber by volume exclusion, by entrapment of volumes of crystallizing agent determined by the dimensions of the microfabricated structure, or by cross-channel injection of sample and crystallizing agent into an array of junctions defined by intersecting orthogonal flow channels.

Abstract: A process for producing semiconductor nanocrystal cores, core-shell, core-buffer-shell, and multiple layer systems is disclosed. The process involves a non-coordinating solvent and in situ surfactant generation.

Abstract: A temperature- and evaporation-controlled device for the crystallization of proteins from a protein-containing solution. The device comprises a compartment, such as a microcapillary tube, for holding the solution from which crystals are formed. The compartment is in communication with a cold generating unit, such as a cold finger, that maintains a temperature lower than the temperature of the compartment thereby causing de-watering of the solution. A vacuum pump can be attached to the device to reduce vapor pressure to further promote de-watering of the solution. The device can be used terrestrially or in a microgravity environment, such as in outer space, for formation of high quality protein crystals.

Abstract: A method for removing defects at high pressure and high temperature (HP/HT) or for relieving strain in a non-diamond crystal commences by providing a crystal, which contains defects, and a pressure medium. The crystal and the pressure medium are disposed in a high pressure cell and placed in a high pressure apparatus, for processing under reaction conditions of sufficiently high pressure and high temperature for a time adequate for one or more of removing defects or relieving strain in the single crystal.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an anisotropic films and method for obtaining the same. The film comprises substrate and at least one modified conjugated aromatic crystalline layer deposited onto said substrate. The said layer is characterized by globally ordered crystalline structure with intermolecular spacing of 3.4±0.3 ? along one of optical axes. The modified conjugated aromatic crystalline layer is formed by rodlike supramolecules, which comprise at least one polycyclic organic compound with conjugated ?-system. At least part of the modified conjugated aromatic crystalline layer has electric conductivity and is slightly soluble or insoluble in polar solvents. The films are useful in optical applications, such as polarizers and retarders, and in electronic and light emitting devices, such as fiber optics modulators and switches, solar cells, charge-coupled device (CCD), thin film transistor integrated circuits, light emitting diodes, and light emitting displays.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for producing Bisphenol-A (BPA) using direct crystallization of BPA in a single crystallization stage. In one embodiment the method comprises reacting Phenol and Acetone in the presence of a catalyst to form a product solution including Bisphenol-A and Phenol; removing a part of the Phenol from the product solution if required, and providing a selective amount of solvent, so as to obtain a product solution with the desired phase equilibrium behavior; and feeding the product solution with a selective composition to a crystallization stage operated at a selected temperature, so as to recover substantially pure Bisphenol-A in crystal form.

Abstract: The present invention refers to an ammonobasic method for preparing a gallium-containing nitride crystal, in which gallium-containing feedstock is crystallized on at least one crystallization seed in the presence of an alkali metal-containing component in a supercritical nitrogen-containing solvent. The method can provide monocrystalline gallium-containing nitride crystals having a very high quality.

Abstract: A diL-lysine monosulfate trihydrate crystal which has a large tabular form and is more easily separable from the mother liquor. The crystal is obtained by a novel process of conducting crystallization at a lower temperature.

Abstract: An apparatus for growing a biological macromolecular crystal by vaporizing biological macromolecular solution into an oversaturated state. The apparatus includes a first sealed room that receives first crystallizing agent solution, and a communicating tube that communicates with the first sealed room and has a small sectional area for suppressing convection of air. A plurality of droplets of solution dissolving a biological macromolecule and a crystallizing agent therein are held in the communicating tube with the plurality of droplets being separated from each other.

Abstract: A self-assembled photonic crystal is formed using a template made by nanoimprint lithography. A layer of imprintable material is deposited on a substrate, a pattern is imprinted in the imprintable material to form a template (the pattern of the template being adapted to substantially constrain colloidal particles to a predetermined lattice), and colloidal particles are introduced onto the template, substantially filling the predetermined lattice.

Abstract: A method is described for the manufacture of semiconductor nanoparticles. Improved yields are obtained by use of a reducing agent or oxygen reaction promoter.

Abstract: Nanocrystals are synthesized with a high degree of control over reaction conditions and hence product quality in a flow-through reactor in which the reaction conditions are maintained by on-line detection of characteristic properties of the product and by adjusting the reaction conditions accordingly. The coating of nanocrystals is achieved in an analogous manner.

Abstract: The invention provides novel dental enamel inspired materials for biomedical and dental applications. The materials are apatite-like calcium phosphate complexes and may comprise apatite, octacalcium phosphate crystals, or mixtures thereof. In one embodiment, the materials (calcium phosphate coatings) are mixtures of crystals of apatite and its precursor, octacalcium phosphate, nucleated on a titanium surface. They are prepared using a chemical process leading to the formation of biological apatite which is similar to that found in natural bone and teeth. In one embodiment, the materials are prepared by placing a titanium substrate in a supersaturated calcifying solution containing native or purified recombinant amelogenins. The presence of the amelogenins modulates apatite crystal growth to mimic in vivo apatite crystal formation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for crystallizing small particles with a narrow particle size distribution. The crystals of the invention are obtained by introducing ultrasound into a solution or suspension of the substance to be crystallized while simultaneously adjusting a particular specific stirring power.

Abstract: This invention relates to a novel system for making uniform crystals. The system, by virtue of the nature of its crystal product, is useful in various chemical, pharmaceutical, agricultural, and biotechnology applications. The invention features physically separated and controlled crystal nucleation and growth zones useful in industrially scaled crystallization processes. The invention also provides a method to preferentially nucleate and crystallize a desired category of crystal structure (enantiomer, solvate, polymorph) of non-chiral and chiral compounds.

Abstract: The invention is a crystallization cassette and associated method for growing and analyzing macromolecular crystals in situ by X-ray crystallography. The cassette allows proteins (as well as other macromolecules) to be crystallized by the counter-diffusion method in a restricted geometry. Using this procedure, crystals can be adequately prepared for direct X-ray data analysis such that the protein's three-dimesional structure can be solved without crystal manipulation.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method for synthesis of narrowly dipsersed colloidal PbS nanocrystals that offer size-tunable near-infrared emission. The stability and processibility of these near-infrared emitting quantum dots makes them ideal materials for device applications. The use of cost-effective and non-pyrophoric precursors as well as the success of larger scale reactions means the present invention provides a method for the industrial scale production of PbS nanocrystals.

Abstract: The present invention includes a microplate for performing crystallography studies. In particular, the microplate has a frame that includes a plurality of wells formed therein. Each well includes a first well and a second well. The first well includes a relatively large reservoir capable of receiving a reagent solution. The second well includes a relatively small reservoir having a substantially concaved form capable of receiving a protein solution and a reagent solution. The second well is suspended above the first well such that space on the plate is conserved and to enable protein crystal growth utilizing a hanging drop vapor diffusion crystallization process.

Abstract: The present invention provides substantially monodisperse colloidal nanocrystals and new preparative methods for the synthesis of substantially monodisperse colloidal nanocrystals. These synthetic methods afford the ability to tune nanocrystal size and size distribution. By using non-coordinating solvents in the synthetic process, these procedures constitute easier, less expensive, safer, and more environmentally “green” methods than those currently in use. This invention is generally applicable to any II–VI or III–V semiconductor material, and may be useful in generating metal-nonmetal compounds involving transition metals as well.

Abstract: An ordered array of magnetized nanorods includes a plurality of metallic nanorods generally cylindrical in shape and including a nickel portion coated with a positively charged polyelectrolyte and a gold portion coated with an alkanethiolate; and a layer of a hardened polymer wherein each individual nanorod of the plurality is held by having said gold portion embedded therein so that the nickel portion extends approximately perpendicularly away from the layer of hardened polymer, and wherein said plurality of metallic nanorods is ordered in the array by having substantially all individual nanorods of the plurality of nanorods oriented generally parallel to each other.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for producing tagatose crystals from an aqueous system using no organic solvent. In this method, seed crystals of tagatose are added to a tagatose solution in which a tagatose purity of solid contents in the solution is at least 70% and a solid contents concentration in the solution is 60 to 98 mass %, and crystallization of tagatose is carried out by stirring and cooling the solution while keeping a degree of super saturation of tagatose at 1.25 or lower. It is preferred that the solution containing tagatose is a solution containing no organic solvent. It is further preferred that a part of massecuite for which the crystallization is completed is added to a mother liquor so as to produce the tagatose crystals semi-continuously or continuously. It is furthermore preferred that the tagatose crystals formed from the massecuite are separated by centrifugation or filtration and dried to obtain tagatose crystals.

Abstract: A high temperature/high pressure (HP/HT) apparatus for converting feedstock housed in a capsule into product crystals, comprising at least two electrical heating paths for independent control of both the mean temperature in the reaction cell and the temperature gradient across the reaction cell.

Abstract: A polymeric linking agent enables the manufacture of photovoltaic cells on flexible substrates, including, for example, polymeric substrates. Photovoltaic cells may be fabricated by a relatively simple continuous manufacturing process, for example, a roll-to-roll process, instead of a batch process.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for forming a bulk monocrystalline gallium nitride by using supercritical ammonia. The process comprises the steps of forming a supercritical solvent containing ion or ions of alkali metals in an autoclave; and dissolving a monocrystalline gallium nitride prepared by flux methods as a feedstock in this supercritical solvent to form a supercritical solution, and simultaneously or separately recrystallizing gallium nitride on the face of a seed.

Abstract: Methods and systems for depositing nanomaterials onto a receiving substrate and optionally for depositing those materials in a desired orientation, that comprise providing nanomaterials on a transfer substrate and contacting the nanomaterials with an adherent material disposed upon a surface or portions of a surface of a receiving substrate. Orientation is optionally provided by moving the transfer and receiving substrates relative to each other during the transfer process.

Abstract: High throughput screening of crystallization of a target material is accomplished by simultaneously introducing a solution of the target material into a plurality of chambers of a microfabricated fluidic device. The microfabricated fluidic device is then manipulated to vary the solution condition in the chambers, thereby simultaneously providing a large number of crystallization environments. Control over changed solution conditions may result from a variety of techniques, including but not limited to metering volumes of crystallizing agent into the chamber by volume exclusion, by entrapment of volumes of crystallizing agent determined by the dimensions of the microfabricated structure, or by cross-channel injection of sample and crystallizing agent into an array of junctions defined by intersecting orthogonal flow channels.

Abstract: A method for generating and isolating a high free energy form of a compound or a mixture of compounds comprises the steps of placing a sample in a capillary tube, solidifying the sample in the capillary tube, and isolating a high free energy form of the sample. A method for searching for a high free energy form of a sample comprises the steps of placing the compound or mixture in a capillary tube, generating a solid in the capillary tube, and determining whether a high free energy form of the sample was generated. The sample may be a compound or mixture.

Abstract: The present invention is directed in one aspect to methods of making free-standing, internally-supported, three-dimensional objects having an outer surface comprising a plurality of intersecting facets wherein a sub-set of the intersecting facets have a diamond layer of substantially uniform thickness. The diamond layer may be formed by chemical vapor deposition (CVD) over the surface of a substrate that has been fabricated to form a mold defining the sub-set of intersecting facets. A backing layer may be formed over at least a portion of the exposed diamond layer to enhance the rigidity of the layer when the substrate is removed.

Abstract: Disclosed are compositions comprising one or more decamantanes. Specifically disclosed are compositions comprising 25 to 100 weight percent of one or more decamantanes. Also disclosed are novel processes for the separation and isolation of decamantane components into recoverable fractions from a feedstock containing at least a higher diamondoid component which contains one or more decamantane components.

Abstract: A method of determining the optimal yield of a target compound includes the steps of: (a) determining the initial composition of a mixture of compounds containing the target compound; (b) dissolving the mixture in a solvent; (c) placing a quantity of the solution in a plurality of vessels; (d) optionally, placing a portion of a different derivatising agent in each vessel; (e) causing crystallisation to occur; (f) analysing the contents of the vessels after the crystallisation has approached equilibrium to determine the compositions of the liquors and the compositions of the solids; and (g) comparing the compositions determined in step (f) to profile the performance of each system in terms of the projected maximum yield of target compound is an optimised crystallisation process.

Abstract: A microfluidic method is provided that comprises: delivering a first fluid to a first lumen of a microfluidic device and a second, different fluid to a second lumen of the microfluidic device, the first and second lumens sharing a common wall which allows for diffusion between the lumens over at least a portion of the length of the lumens; and having the first and second fluids diffuse between the first and second lumens.

Abstract: A crystal forming apparatus and method for using the apparatus, the apparatus including a plate and a film. The plate has a site adapted to hold a screening solution. The film is adjacent to the plate. The film seals the site and is adapted to contain a precipitant solution inside the site with an air gap between the screening solution and the precipitant solution. In a preferred embodiment, the film is transparent. In another preferred embodiment, the plate comprises a second transparent film supported by a lattice structure and the precipitant solution is sandwiched between the two films.

Abstract: A non-linear optical crystal of a compound having the general formula DxM1?xTOZO4, including isomorphs thereof, where: D is a dopant which comprises one or both of Rb and Cs; M is selected from one or both of K and Ag; T comprises one or more of Ti, Sn and Ge, optionally together with one or both of Nb and Ta; Z is selected from one or both of P and As, optionally together with one or both of Ge and Si; and 0<x?0.1.

Abstract: A microfluidic device is provided that comprises: a substrate; and a plurality of microvolumes at least partially defined by the substrate, each microvolume comprising a first submicrovolume and a second submicrovolume in fluid communication with the first submicrovolume when the device is rotated about a first rotational axis; wherein rotation of the device about the first rotational axis causes a fixed volume to be transported to each of the second submicrovolumes.

Abstract: The present invention provides nanoparticle film and methods of making such films. The nanoparticle film comprises a three dimensional cross-linked array of nanoparticles and linker molecules. The nanoparticle film is coherent, robust and self supporting. The film may be produced by adding linker molecules to a suspension of nanoparticles. The linker molecules form cross-links between the nanoparticles. Prior to completion of the cross-linking reaction the cross-linked nanoparticles are separated from the suspension.

Abstract: A crystallization process comprising introducing a solution or a slurry formed by incomplete crystallization of a solute into a crystallization tank, crystallizing the solute in the crystallization tank, forming a slurry comprising crystals and a solvent and discharging the formed slurry to an outside, the crystallization being conducted, wherein a portion or an entire amount of the formed slurry is taken out of the crystallization tank and introduced into a crystal recycling apparatus, the crystals in the slurry are separated or the slurry is concentrated in the crystal recycling apparatus and the separated crystals or the concentrated slurry is recycled to the crystallization tank.

Abstract: Small crystals are made by mixing a solution of a desired substance with an anti-solvent in a fluidic vortex mixer in which the residence time is less than 1 s, for example 10 ms. The liquid within the fluidic vortex mixer (12) is subjected to high intensity ultrasound from a transducer (20, 22) in or on the wall of the mixer, or coupled to a pipe supplying liquid to the mixer. The solution very rapidly becomes supersaturated, and the ultrasound can induce a very large number of nuclei for crystal growth. Small crystals, for example less than 5 ?m, are formed that may be of a suitable size for use in inhalers.

Abstract: A design for high pressure/high temperature apparatus and reaction cell to achieve ˜30 GPa pressure in ˜1 cm volume and ˜100 GPa pressure in ˜1 mm volumes and 20-5000° C. temperatures in a static regime. The device includes profiled anvils (28) action on a reaction cell (14, 16) containing the material (26) to be processed. The reaction cell includes a heater (18) surrounded by insulating layers and screens. Surrounding the anvils are cylindrical inserts and supporting rings (30-48) whose hardness increases towards the reaction cell. These volumes may be increased considerably if applications require it, making use of presses that have larger loading force capability, larger frames and using larger anvils.

Abstract: A method of producing a crystalline ITO dispersed solution, which contains the steps of: (a) causing an aqueous mixed solution of an indium compound and a tin compound to react with an aqueous basic solution, thereby generating a gel; (b) removing water content from the gel by solvent-exchange, and dispersing the resultant into an organic solvent; and (c) subjecting the resultant dispersed product to heating treatment.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing fluoride crystal includes the steps of adding scavenger and a material to a crucible, melting the scavenger and material at a temperature higher than a melting point so that a ratio of a thickness of the fluoride crystal that has been melted to an inner diameter of the crucible may be 0.2 or higher, and gradually crystallizing and purifying the material.

Abstract: The invention relates to a tetragonal single crystal (1, 11) of composition: Z(H,D)2MO4 where Z is an element or a group of elements, or a mixture of elements and/or of groups of elements chosen from the group K, N(H,D)4, Rb, Ce where M is an element chosen from the group P, As and where (H,D) is hydrogen and/or deuterium comprising an approximately parallelepipedal region of large dimensions, especially one in which the length of each of the edges of the faces, AC1, AC2, AC3, is greater than or equal to 200 mm, in particular greater than or equal to 500 mm, which crystal is obtained by crystal growth from solution, from an approximately parallelepipedal single-crystal seed (2, 22) whose edges of the faces have lengths of AG1, AG2, AG3.

Abstract: Nanostructures and methods of fabricating nanostructures are disclosed. A representative nanostructure includes a substrate having at least one semiconductor oxide. In addition, the nanostructure has a substantially rectangular cross-section. A method of preparing a plurality of semiconductor oxide nanostructures that have a substantially rectangular cross-section from an oxide powder is disclosed. A representative method includes: heating the oxide powder to an evaporation temperature of the oxide powder for about 1 hour to about 3 hours at about 200 torr to about 400 torr in an atmosphere comprising argon; evaporating the oxide powder; and forming the plurality of semiconductor oxide nanostructures.

Abstract: A microfluidic device comprising: a substrate shaped so as to provide the device with an axis of rotation about which the device may be rotated; and a plurality of microvolumes at least partially defined by the substrate, each microvolume comprising a first submicrovolume and a second submicrovolume that is in fluid communication with the first submicrovolume when the device is rotated, the plurality of microvolumes being arranged in the device such that fluid in the first submicrovolumes of multiple of the microvolumes is transported to the second submicrovolumes of the associated microvolumes when the device is rotated about the rotational axis.

Abstract: There is provided an apparatus for preparing crystals of a phosphor precursor, comprising a reactor, a stirrer, and a supply pipe for supplying, into the reactor, a solution containing at least an aqueous solution of inorganic fluoride salt, wherein an ion concentration measuring device is provided in at least one of an interior of the reactor and a liquid contacting portion which contacts the solution containing an aqueous solution of inorganic fluoride salt.

Abstract: Multi-layered semiconductor nanoparticles having a very narrow grain-size distribution and exhibiting a spectrum having a narrow wavelength-width peak are prepared by a manufacturing method combining a monodisperse semiconductor nanoparticle manufacturing method and a multi-layer semiconductor nanoparticle preparation method. The nature of a solution of monodisperse semiconductor nanoparticles that is stabilized by a surface stabilizer is transformed between hydrophilic and lipophilic by substituting the surface stabilizer. The stabilized semiconductor nanoparticles are then shifted between an aqueous layer and an organic layer. The semiconductor nanoparticles are coated with multiple layers in the organic layer, and the organic layer is drawn off to recover the semiconductor nanoparticles therefrom.

Abstract: Optionally doped nanoparticle dispersions of metal chalcogenides are prepared by a precipitation step in aqueous medium, followed by a diafiltration or ultrafiltration step in the presence of a compound capable of preventing agglomeration of said metal chalcogenide nanoparticles.

Abstract: The present invention deals with the generation of sharp single crystal diamond tips and the arrays of these tips, and their fabrication technology. The invention combines the deposition of synthetic diamond films with reactive etching processes. Upon the diamond orientation prepared and reactive etching environment with considerable directivity of ions, single crystal diamond tips with different apical angles can be fabricated. Very sharp diamond tips with an apical angle of no more than about 28° and a tip radius smaller than 50 nm are fabricated on pyramidal-shaped [001]-textured diamond films by subsequent reactive etching., The technology is based on selective etching of sp2- and sp3- hybridized carbons by the activated constituents of an etching environment, in particular based on atomic hydrogen, in a way similar to ion bombardment, which contributes to overall etching and local conversion of diamond to graphitic phase promoting further etching with chemically activated species.

Abstract: An electrically conducting and dimensionally stable diamond (12, 14) and metal particle (13) electrode produced by electrodepositing the metal on the diamond is described. The electrode is particularly useful in harsh chemical environments and at high current densities and potentials. The electrode is particularly useful for generating hydrogen, and for reducing oxygen and oxidizing methanol in reactions which are of importance in fuel cells.

Abstract: A method for determining crystallization conditions for a material, the method comprising: taking a microfluidic device comprising one or more lumens having microvolume dimensions and a plurality of different crystallization samples within the one or more lumens, the plurality of crystallization samples comprising a material to be crystallized and crystallization conditions that vary among the plurality of crystallization samples; transporting the plurality of different crystallization samples within the lumens; and identifying a precipitate or crystal formed in the one or more lumens.