DESCRIPTION:

We have developed a new technology that can control the assembly of metal nanoparticles in aqueous systems using water-soluble supramolecules and fluorescence molecules.  This technology is expected to find applications in detection of DNA, proteins, and other biological molecules, and in controlled drug delivery.  The water-soluble components such as metal nanoparticles, supramolecules and fluorescence molecules are expected to improve bio-compatibility and electronic tenability.  In addition, the fine-tunable nanoscale building blocks are expected to find novel applications in as biosensors.

POTENTIAL APPLICATIONS:

Companies that are potentially interested in this technology include those from microelectronics, pharmaceuticals, chemical sensor/biosensor industries, and national security applications.

ADVANTAGES:

The nature of the assembly in aqueous systems is expected to find applications in detection of DNA, proteins, and other biological molecules, and in controlled drug delivery. In comparison with previous nanoparticles assembly such as molecularly-mediated exchange-crosslinking or multidentate thioether-mediated assembly, this technology is expected to overcome the disadvantages of using small ligands and organic material which may impose harm when introduced into biological systems. Water-soluble supramolecules and fluorescence dye molecules as mediators for the assembly of nanoparticles improve bio-compatibility and electronic tenability.

PATENT STATUS:

Patent pending.