Provided are processes of functionalizing a microparticle that include reacting a microparticle expressing a carboxylic acid with a functionalization linker including the structure N-L.sup.1-A where N is a free amine, L.sup.1 is a linker, and A is an azide and an alkyne terminated group, to form a functional group terminated microparticle, and forming a functionalized microparticle by reacting the functional group terminated microparticle with a peptide including a terminal functional group comprising an alkyne or azide, where the peptide includes the structure F-L.sup.2-Peptide, where F is a functional group and L.sup.2 is a linker. Also provided are compositions suitable for effectively coupling a peptide to a microsphere and functionalized microspheres suitable for reacting with a detection agent.

The present disclosure relates to a self-assembled peptide nanostructure including at least one amphiphilic peptide and a biosensor using the same. The amphiphilic peptide is a hairpin-shaped amphiphilic peptide including a hydrophilic domain having an α-helical structure and a hydrophobic domain. The N-terminal of the hydrophobic domain is a pyrene group. Since the self-assembled peptide nanostructure is derived from an RNA, DNA or amino acid sequence capable of recognizing a specific target substance, it does not recognize other substances but exhibits high selectivity for the target substance. Specifically, since the self-assembled peptide nanostructure has an excimer fluorescence peak at 480 nm through binding with the target substance, it can be usefully used in medical applications such as diagnosis of diseases.

The invention relates to a dye system comprising at least one dye precursor, an oxidizing agent, and a catalyst. The dye system operates, ideally, at a pH of at least about 9. The dye system may enable faster and less damaging hair color treatment techniques. The invention further relates to methods for making and using said dye system.

The invention relates to a dye system comprising at least one dye precursor, an oxidizing agent, and a catalyst. The dye system operates, ideally, at a pH of at least about 9. The dye system may enable faster and less damaging hair color treatment techniques. The invention further relates to methods for making and using said dye system.

Provided is a contact lens system that comprises: a contact lens containing a photosensitive chromophore and a package surrounding the contact lens. The photosensitive chromophore has at least one active wavelength between 250 and 400 nanometers and at least one active wavelength between 400 and 450 nanometers. The package has a transmittance of no more than 99 percent at each active wavelength.

Provided is a contact lens system that comprises: a contact lens containing a photosensitive chromophore and a package surrounding the contact lens. The photosensitive chromophore has at least one active wavelength between 250 and 400 nanometers and at least one active wavelength between 400 and 450 nanometers. The package has a transmittance of no more than 99 percent at each active wavelength.

This disclosure provides compositions of electrochromic dyes, functionalized electrochromic dyes and dye macromers which may be incorporated into electrochromic devices with tailored optical properties. The disclosure provides an electrochromic dye with an attached functionalization group wherein the said dye colors by at least one of oxidation and reduction and contains at least two moieties wherein a first moiety is electrochromic and a second moiety is an electrochromic moiety, an electron donating moiety, or an electron receiving moiety and wherein the functionalization group. This disclosure also provides EC compositions and devices for controlling color.

A hydrogel coating composition for a chemical sensor includes a photo-crosslinkable monomer containing a cationic functional group; a pH indicator dye; a viscosity modifier; and a solvent. The hydrogel coating composition for a chemical sensor can be used for identifying freshness of foods by detecting volatile basic nitrogen or toxic chemicals generated when food spoils, such as ammonia, hydrogen sulfide, etc., and can be coated in desired patterns on a substrate. A chemical sensor fabricated from the hydrogel coating composition is designed to fix a pH indicator dye through an ionic bond to prevent the detachment of the indicator dye. Therefore, the chemical sensor exhibits excellent color reproducibility and has stability as a sensor.

A hydrogel coating composition for a chemical sensor includes a photo-crosslinkable monomer containing a cationic functional group; a pH indicator dye; a viscosity modifier; and a solvent. The hydrogel coating composition for a chemical sensor can be used for identifying freshness of foods by detecting volatile basic nitrogen or toxic chemicals generated when food spoils, such as ammonia, hydrogen sulfide, etc., and can be coated in desired patterns on a substrate. A chemical sensor fabricated from the hydrogel coating composition is designed to fix a pH indicator dye through an ionic bond to prevent the detachment of the indicator dye. Therefore, the chemical sensor exhibits excellent color reproducibility and has stability as a sensor.

Methods for producing a polyamide having an optical absorber pendent from the polyamide's backbone (OAMB-polyamide) may comprise: esterifying a hydroxyl-pendent optical absorber with a halogen-terminal aliphatic acid to yield a halogen-terminal alkyl-optical absorber; and N-alkylating a polyamide with the halogen-terminal alkyl-optical absorber to yield the OAMB-polyamide. Other methods for producing an OAMB-polyamide may comprise: esterifying a carboxyl-pendent optical absorber with a halogen-terminal aliphatic alcohol to yield a halogen-terminal alkyl-optical absorber; and N-alkylating a polyamide with the modified optical absorber to yield a polyamide having the OAMB-polyamide.