Patent ID: 7037729

Claim:
A structure, comprising: a first structure embedded within pores of a second structure, wherein the first structure includes a nanospecies having a first characteristic and a second detectable characteristic, wherein a second detectable energy is produced corresponding to the second detectable characteristic upon exposure to a first energy; and wherein the second structure includes a porous material having the first characteristic and a plurality of pores, wherein the first characteristic of the nanospecies and the first characteristic of the porous material are the same, where an interaction of the first characteristic of the nanospecies with the first characteristic of the porous material cause the nanospecies to interact with the porous material and become embedded within the pores of the porous material, wherein the nanospecies remain embedded within the pores without the addition of a sealant, and wherein the first characteristic is selected from a hydrophobic characteristic, a hydrophilic characteristic, an electrostatic characteristic, and combinations thereof, and a probe, bonded to the porous material, and a fluorophore and a quenching moiety bonded to the probe.