Claims
- 1. A method for detecting molecules, the method comprising:
a) determining the electronic status of a semi-conductor; b) establishing electronic communication between the molecules and the semiconductor; c) subjecting the semi-conductor to energy influx; d) redetermining the electronic status of the semi-conductor.
- 2. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the energy level is determined optically.
- 3. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the energy level is determined electrically.
- 4. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the semiconductors are are octahedral metal oxides.
- 5. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the semiconductors are metal oxides selected from the group consisting of TiO2, VO2, ZrO2, Fe3O4, MnO2, NiO, CuO, and combinations thereof.
- 6. The method as recited in claim 1 wherein bidentate moieties are positioned intermediate the molecules and the semiconductors.
- 7. The method as recited in claim 6, wherein the moieties are dihydroxyl phenyls selected from the group consisting of 1,2 dihydroxyl phenylamine, 1,2-dihydroxyl phenyl alanine, 1,2-dihydroxyl benzoic acid, 1,2-dihydroxy glycine, 1,2 dihydroxy benzyl amine, and combinations thereof.
- 8. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the semiconductor further comprises a valence band and a conductive band, whereby the valence band contains electrons.
- 9. The method as recited in claim 8, wherein the energy influx induces the electrons to relocate to the conductance band.
- 10. The method as recited in claim 1 wherein the molecules are electron donators.
- 11. The method as recited in claim 1 wherein the molecules are electron acceptors.
- 12. A method for detecting biological molecules, the method comprising:
a) supplying a semi-conductor having a first energy level and a second energy level and whereby the first energy level corresponds to a first optical characteristic of the semi-conductor; b) establishing electrical contact between the semi-conductor and the molecules; c) causing electrons to move from the molecule to the second energy level; and d) monitoring any change in the first optical characteristic.
- 13. The method as recited in claim 12, wherein the biological molecule extracts electrons from the semi-conductor.
- 14. The method as recited in claim 12, wherein the biological molecule donates electrons to the semi-conductor.
- 15. The method as recited in claim 12, wherein a bidentate moiety is intermediate the semi-conductor and the biological molecule.
- 16. The method as recited in claim 12 wherein a moiety capable of withdrawing electrons from the biological molecule is in electrical communication with the molecule.
- 17. The method as recited in claim 12 wherein a moiety capable of donating electrons to the biological molecule is in electrical communication with the molecule.
- 18. The method as recited in claim 12 wherein the semiconductors are octahedral metal oxides.
- 19. The method as recited in claim 12, wherein the semi-conductor is between 1 and 20 nanometers in diameter.
- 20. The method as recited in claim 12 wherein the step of causing electrons to move results in the formation of an oxidative region on the semi-conductor.
- 21. The method as recited in claim 20, wherein the oxidative region facilitates cleavage of molecules.
- 22. A method for detecting target moieties in situ, the method comprising:
a) binding biological material to nanocrystalline semiconductor particles, wherein the material has an affinity to the target moiety; b) facilitating entry of the bound material into an organelle; and c) subjecting the semiconductor to radiation sufficient to produce a charge pair separation on the semiconductor's surface.
- 23. The method as recited in claim 22 wherein the biological material is genetic material.
- 24. The method as recited in claim 22 wherein the organelle is a nucleus of a cell.
- 25. The method as recited in claim 22 wherein the charge pair separation is detected via Electron Paramagnetic Resonance.
- 26. The method as recited in claim 22 wherein the charge separation is detected via an electronic signal.
- 27. The method as recited in claim 26 wherein the signal can be amplified.
CONTRACTUAL ORIGIN OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The United States Government has rights in this invention pursuant to Contract Number W-31-109-ENG-38 between the United States Government and Argonne National Laboratory.
Continuations (1)
|
Number |
Date |
Country |
Parent |
09606429 |
Jun 2000 |
US |
Child |
10755045 |
Jan 2004 |
US |