A nanoshell is disclosed, comprising a star polymer occlusion complex comprising i) an amphiphilic unimolecular star polymer having a crosslinked core covalently linked to 6 or more independent polymer arms, and ii) a cargo material occluded in the star polymer; and a shell comprising an inorganic material in contact with a peripheral surface of the star polymer occlusion complex.

The invention relates to a method allowing functionalization of carbon nano-objects and in particular carbon nanotubes and graphene nanosheets, a composition comprising nano-objects functionalized by this method, suspended in an organic solvent, as well as to the uses of this composition. Suitable applications include elaboration of composite materials and, in particular, of nano-composite materials, materials intended for photovoltaics, detection devices of the detector/sensor or biodetector/biosensor type, photocatalysis systems, targeted vectorization systems for compounds of therapeutic or diagnostic interest or further contrast agents for medical imaging.

A nanoparticle for diagnostic, therapeutic, and/or theranostic applications includes a rod-shaped plant virus like particle (VLP), one or more gadolinium T.sub.1 contrast agents conjugated to an interior surface of the VLP, and a layer of polydopamine (PDA) coated over a portion of the exterior surface of the VLP.

The invention features an apparatus for producing a fluid stream having plurality of nanoparticles in the fluid stream. The apparatus includes a source configured to provide a fluid stream having a first randomly sized distribution of a plurality of nanoparticles; a flow control zone configured to receive the fluid stream from the source and to control the fluid stream to produce a controlled fluid stream having a selected flow rate; a separation zone configured to receive and to separate the selectively controlled fluid stream into at least one separated fluid stream having a non-randomly sized distribution of nanoparticles; and a collection zone capable of receiving the separated fluid stream according to at least one non-random sized distribution of nanoparticles to produce at least one collected stream. The apparatus is configured for a continuous flow of the fluid stream. A size of a nanoparticle can be related to an intrinsic core diameter, a hydrodynamic diameter, and a combination of intrinsic core diameter and hydrodynamic diameter measurements. The nanoparticles can include non-magnetic nanoparticles, partially magnetic nanoparticles, magnetic nanoparticles, superparamagnetic nanoparticles, and a combination of at least two different nanoparticle types. The invention also features methods for producing said fluid streams. The invention further features apparatus and methods for cancer confirmation and targeted therapeutic drug development.

In one aspect, compositions comprising a population of core-shell nanoparticles are described herein. In some cases, the population of core-shell nanoparticles comprises a core component and a shell component encapsulating or surrounding the core component. Additionally, one or more radiosensitizers are disposed in or dispersed throughout the core component, or an interior region of the core component. Similarly, one or more chemotherapeutic agents are disposed in or dispersed throughout the shell component, or an interior region of the shell component. Moreover, in some cases, the core component is formed from one or more biodegradable polymers. Further, in some instances, the shell component is formed from one or more stimuli responsive polymers, such as a temperature-responsive polymer and/or pH-responsive polymer.

Compositions of nanoparticles functionalized with at least one zwitterionic moiety, methods for making a plurality of nanoparticles, and methods of their use as diagnostic agents are provided. The nanoparticles have characteristics that result in minimal retention of the particles in the body compared to other nanoparticles. The nanoparticle comprising a nanoparticulate transition metal oxide covalently functionalized with a silane-functionalized non-targeting zwitterionic moiety.

A preparation method for a magnetic composite for treating and diagnosing cancer. The method may include a step of pyrolyzing a precursor of a magnetic nanoparticle in the presence of a conjugated polymer. The preparation method for a magnetic composite can produce a magnetic composite economically and efficiently because a magnetic composite comprising a magnetic nanoparticle coated with a conjugated polymer can be prepared by a single process.

Systems, methods and related devices used to produce and collect polarized noble gas to inhibit, suppress, detect or filter alkali metal nanoclusters to preserve or increase a polarization level thereof. The systems can include a pre-sat chamber that has an Area Ratio between 20 and 500.

A composition for imaging a cell includes a first imaging probe and a second imaging probe that include respectively a first reporter moiety and a second reporter moiety. The first reporter moiety and the second reporter moiety form a signaling complex that produces a detectable signal when the first imaging probe and second imaging probe complex with first and second biomarkers of the cell.

Methods of and systems for making a hyperpolarized fluid are provided, which include exposing a fluid and parahydrogen to a catalyst. The hyperpolarized fluid can be introduced to a subject. The hyperpolarized fluid can be included in methods of imaging a subject. Also provided are methods that use the hyperpolarized fluids for detecting protein-ligand interactions and for enhancing the NMR signals of biopolymers having chemically exchangeable protons.