Nanobio Interfaces Capabilities

Synthesis

• Synthesis of metal oxide, semiconducting, metallic, and magnetic nanoparticles
• Self-assembly of monodisperse nanoparticles into two- and three-dimensional crystals and binary superlattices
• Bioconjugation and biochemical techniques with a focus on the synthetic biology and recombinant DNA/protein techniques
• Peptide synthesis (CSBio CS136XT)
• Functionalization of nanocrystalline surfaces with biomolecules, such as DNA, peptides, proteins and antibodies, using biochemical, electrochemical, and photochemical techniques

Equipment

• Centrifuges (Beckman Coulter Optima L-100 XP Ultracentrifuge and Avanti J-E Centrifuge)
• Biological safety cabinets [Labconco Purifier Delta Series (Class II, B2)]
• Glovebox (MBraun LabMaster 130)
• Schlenk lines
• Solvent purification (MBraun Auto SPS)
• Lyophilizer
• Harrick plasma cleaner

Characterization

• Structure and dynamics of hybrid bio-inorganic nanoscale assemblies and their response to external stimuli (light, voltage, and magnetic fields)
• Nanoparticles and their interfaces using X-ray, microscopy, and photonic techniques, including chemiluminescence
• Single-particle, X-ray nanoprobe characterization of biomolecular machines and hybrid bio-inorganic nanoparticles
• Integration and characterization of nanoparticles in solid matrixes capable of ionic conductivity for solar energy conversion applications
• Integration and characterization of hybrid nanocomposites with biological entities, such as cell organelles, and the use of external stimuli to achieve redox-sensitive cellular labeling as well as manipulation of cellular metabolism
• Spectroscopic, microscopic, scanning probe techniques, including collaborative interactions with the X-Ray Nanoprobe, Nanophotonics and Electronic & Magnetic Materials & Devices groups, for single-particle, patterned-array, and thin-film characterization
• Structural details at an atomic level via transmission electron microscopy (TEM) to examine crystal structures and defects, and structure-property relationships for nanostructures of different shapes and compositions. EDS/EFTEM/EELS allow qualitative/quantitative elemental composition analysis. In situ TEM capabilities are possible with CNM's electrochemical, biasing, and heating holders. Three-dimensional structural information can be achieved by the tomography technique. Rather than serving as a single-purpose instrument, the TEM facility is meant to complement broader nanoscience and nanotechnology projects taking place within the CNM. Contact Yuzi Liu (yuziliu@anl.gov) for more information.

Equipment

• Electrochemical workstation (BASi Epsilon) potentiostat/galvanostat with rotating electrode capability
• Field emission scanning electron microscope (JEOL JSM7500F)
• Electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy
• Laser scanning confocal microscope (Zeiss LSM 510 Meta)
• Malvern ZetaSizer Nano (particle size potential)
• Circular dichroism spectrometer (Jasco J-815)
• Transmission electron microscope (JEOL JEM-2100F)