Patent ID: 6235540
Filing Date: 2001-05-22
Classification: B82Y,G01N,Y10T

Abstract:
A semiconductor nanoparticle for the analysis of fluid samples comprising:a) a water soluble amino derivative of a polysaccharide having an average molecular weight from approximately 3,000 to 3,000,000 Da, a size in diameter of less than approximately 150 nanometers, and a degree of substitution of total number of primary and secondary amino groups in the polysaccharide molecule ranging from 1/150 to 4/1; andb) at least one nanoparticle of the formula:(XY).sub.nwherein X is selected from the group comprising Cd.sup.2+, Hg.sup.2+, and Zn.sup.2+ and combinations thereof; and Y is selected from the group comprising S.sup.2-, Se.sup.2- and Te.sup.2- and combinations thereof; and n=approximately 50 to 1000, wherein said nanoparticle is linked to said aminopolysaccharide.