This disclosure relates to a glucose-sensing electrode including a nanoporous layer on an electrically conductive surface. The nanoporous layer includes a three-dimensional interconnected network of irregularly shaped bodies that are formed of numerous nanoparticles having a generally oval or spherical shape with a length ranging between about 2 nm and about 5 nm. Inside the three-dimensional interconnected network of irregularly shaped bodies, at least part of the nanoparticles are adjacent to each other without an intervening nanoparticle therebetween and apart from each other to define interparticular nanopores therebetween, wherein at least part of the interparticular nanopores inside the three-dimensional interconnected network of irregularly shaped bodies are in a size ranging between about 0.5 nm and about 3 nm. The nanoporous layer further comprises a three-dimensional interconnected network of irregularly shaped spaces that is geometrically complementary to the three-dimensional interconnected network of irregularly shaped bodies. The glucose-sensing electrode does not comprise a glucose-specific enzyme.

This disclosure relates to an apparatus for glucose-sensing that address interference of ascorbic acid and acetaminophen. The apparatus includes a first electrode capable of oxidizing glucose and at least one of ascorbic acid and acetaminophen. The apparatus further includes a second electrode capable of oxidizing at least one of ascorbic acid and acetaminophen but not capable of oxidizing glucose. The first electrode includes a deposit of irregularly shaped bodies that are formed of numerous nanoparticles having a generally oval or spherical shape with a length ranging between about 2 nm and about 5 nm.

This application features a method of forming a nanoporous layer. The method includes steps of reducing metal ions in a reverse micelle phase composition to form nanoparticles, removing surfactant from the composition to form clusters of the nanoparticles, dispensing the composition including the nanoparticle clusters dispersed in a liquid on a substrate, and drying to form the nanoporous layer. The nanoporous layer includes nanoparticles deposited to form a three dimensional network of irregularly shaped bodies. The nanoporous layer also includes a three dimensional network of intercluster spaces that are not occupied by the three dimensional network of irregularly shaped bodies.

This disclosure relates to a glucose-sensing electrode including a nanoporous metal layer and an electrolyte ion-blocking layer formed over the nanoporous metal layer. The nanoporous metal layer is capable of oxidizing both glucose and maltose without an enzyme specific to glucose in the glucose-sensing electrode. The electrolyte ion-blocking layer is configured to inhibit Na.sup.+, K.sup.+, Ca.sup.2+, Cl.sup.−, PO.sub.4.sup.3− and CO.sub.3.sup.2− from diffusing toward the nanoporous metal layer such that there is a substantial discontinuity of a combined concentration of Na.sup.+, K.sup.+, Ca.sup.2+, Cl.sup.−, PO.sub.4.sup.3− and CO.sub.3.sup.2− between over and below the electrolyte ion-blocking layer.

In various embodiments the present disclosure provides a core/shell nanocrystal comprising a core and a shell formed on the core, wherein the core/shell nanocrystal is co-doped with at least one metal dopant and at least one trivalent cation. In some embodiments, the trivalent cation is a Group 13 element. Methods of making and using the core/shell nanocrystal are also described.

This disclosure relates to a glucose-sensing electrode including a nanoporous metal layer and a maltose-blocking layer formed over the nanoporous metal layer. The nanoporous metal layer is capable of oxidizing both glucose and maltose without an enzyme specific to glucose or maltose in the glucose-sensing electrode. The maltose-blocking layer has porosity that permits glucose to pass therethrough and inhibits maltose from passing therethrough toward the nanoporous metal layer.

In a general aspect, an apparatus can include a substrate and a post disposed on the substrate. The post can include a plurality of nanotubes and extend substantially vertically from the substrate. The post can have an aspect ratio of a height of the post to a diameter of the post of greater than or equal to 25:1.

Methods, systems, compositions and kits are provided for the analysis of target molecules using chromophoric polymer dots conjugated to biomolecules. The use of chromophoric polymer dots improves detection sensitivity and stability when compared with existing techniques. In some aspects, methods, systems, and kits are provided for detecting a target protein using chromophoric polymer dots conjugated to biomolecules in a Western blot analysis. Related methods, systems, compositions and kits are also provided.

Disclosed are devices that comprise a protein, such as an antibody, placed into electronic communication with a semiconductor material, such as a carbon nanotube. The devices are useful in assessing the presence or concentration of analytes contacted to the devices, including the presence of markers for prostate cancer and Lyme disease.

This disclosure provides semiconducting polymer dots (Pdots) for use in a wide variety of applications. In particular, this disclosure provides Pdots that are halogenated, including fluorinated Pdots. This disclosure also provides methods for synthesizing Pdots and methods for using Pdots, such as for biological imaging.