PLASMONIC ASSISTED SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR INTERIOR ENERGY-ACTIVATION FROM AN EXTERIOR SOURCE

• US 20090294692A1
• Filed: 03/10/2009
• Published: 12/03/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 03/11/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Duke University, Immunolight, LLC
• Original Assignee: Duke University, Immunolight, LLC
• Inventors: Bourke, Frederic Avery JR., Vo-Dinh, Tuan
• Granted Patent: US 8,376,013 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 250/459.1
• CPC Class Codes: A23L 2/50 by irradiation or electric treatment without heating
• CPC Class Codes: A23L 3/26 by irradiation without heating
• CPC Class Codes: A23L 3/263 with corpuscular or ionising radiation, i.e. X, alpha, beta or omega radiation laser plasma radiation A23L3/26
• CPC Class Codes: A23L 3/28 with ultraviolet light
• CPC Class Codes: A23L 5/32 using phonon wave energy, e.g. sound or ultrasonic waves
• CPC Class Codes: A23V 2002/00 Food compositions, function of food ingredients or processes for food or foodstuffs
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 41/0057 Photodynamic therapy with a photosensitizer, i.e. agent able to produce reactive oxygen species upon exposure to light or radiation, e.g. UV or visible light; photocleavage of nucleic acids with an agent
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 41/0066 Psoralene-activated UV-A photochemotherapy (PUVA-therapy), e.g. for treatment of psoriasis or eczema, extracorporeal photopheresis with psoralens or fucocoumarins
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/0011 using physical methods
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/0047 Ultraviolet radiation
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/0076 using a photocatalyst or photosensitiser
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/082 X-rays
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/088 using a photocatalyst or photosensitiser
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/10 Ultraviolet radiation
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/16 using chemical substances
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2202/21 Pharmaceuticals, e.g. medicaments, artificial body parts
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2202/22 Blood or products thereof
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/3683 using photoactive agents
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2005/0661 ultraviolet
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2005/0662 Visible light
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2005/1087 : Ions; Protons
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2005/1089 : Electrons
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2005/1098 : Enhancing the effect of the particle by an injected agent or implanted device
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 5/062 : Photodynamic therapy, i.e. excitation of an agent
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 5/0624 : for eliminating microbes, germs, bacteria on or in the body
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 5/10 : X-ray therapy; Gamma-ray therapy; Particle-irradiation therapy A61N5/01 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 31/04 : Antibacterial agents
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 31/18 : for HIV
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 35/00 : Antineoplastic agents
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 7/08 : Plasma substitutes; Perfusion solutions; Dialytics or haemodialytics; Drugs for electrolytic or acid-base disorders, e.g. hypovolemic shock artificial tears A61P27/04
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 19/082 : Gamma-radiation only
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 19/085 : Electron beams only
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 19/12 : employing electromagnetic waves
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 19/123 : Ultraviolet light
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 19/125 : X-rays
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 19/127 : Sunlight; Visible light
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 19/128 : Infrared light
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/0877 : Liquid
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/0879 : Solid
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/0892 : involving catalytically active material
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/1203 : Incoherent waves
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2231/005 : General concepts, e.g. reviews, relating to methods of using catalyst systems, the concept being defined by a common method or theory, e.g. microwave heating or multiple stereoselectivity
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 23/50 : Silver
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 23/52 : Gold
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2531/005 : Catalytic metals
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2531/008 : Methods or theories
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 31/0275 : also containing elements or functional groups covered by B01J31/0201 - B01J31/0269
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 31/2295 : Cyclic compounds, e.g. cyclopentadienyls
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 35/19 : Catalysts containing parts with different compositions
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 35/23 : in a colloidal state
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 35/39 : Photocatalytic properties
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 37/0072 : Preparation of particles, e.g. dispersion of droplets in an oil bath
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 37/0221 : of particles
• CPC Class Codes: B82Y 20/00 : Nanooptics, e.g. quantum optics or photonic crystals
• CPC Class Codes: B82Y 30/00 : Nanotechnology for materials or surface science, e.g. nanocomposites
• CPC Class Codes: B82Y 40/00 : Manufacture or treatment of nanostructures
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/30 : by irradiation
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/302 : with microwaves
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/305 : with electrons
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/307 : with X-rays or gamma radiation
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/32 : with ultraviolet light
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/725 : by catalytic oxidation
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2305/10 : Photocatalysts
• CPC Class Codes: C08J 2300/00 : Characterised by the use of unspecified polymers
• CPC Class Codes: C08J 3/24 : Crosslinking, e.g. vulcanising, of macromolecules mechanical aspects B29C35/00; crosslinking agents C08K
• CPC Class Codes: C08J 3/28 : Treatment by wave energy or particle radiation
• CPC Class Codes: C08J 7/18 : using wave energy or particle radiation
• CPC Class Codes: C09D 201/00 : Coating compositions based on unspecified macromolecular compounds
• CPC Class Codes: C09J 201/00 : Adhesives based on unspecified macromolecular compounds
• CPC Class Codes: C09J 2301/416 : use of irradiation
• CPC Class Codes: C09J 5/00 : Adhesive processes in general; Adhesive processes not provided for elsewhere, e.g. relating to primers
• CPC Class Codes: C12H 1/06 : Precipitation by physical means, e.g. by irradiation, vibrations
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 5/008 : Surface plasmon devices diffractive gratings with a pitch less than or comparable to the wavelength G02B5/1809; surface plasmons in integrated optics G02B6/1226; optical analysis of materials by means of surface plasmons G01N21/553
• CPC Class Codes: G21K 5/00 : Irradiation devices discharge tubes for irradiating H01J37/00
• CPC Class Codes: Y02W 10/37 : using solar energy
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 977/774 : Exhibiting three-dimensional carrier confinement, e.g. quantum dots
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 977/777 : Metallic powder or flake
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 977/896 : Chemical synthesis, e.g. chemical bonding or breaking
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 977/915 : Therapeutic or pharmaceutical composition
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 156/10 : Methods of surface bonding and/or assembly therefor

Abstract

A method and a system for producing a change in a medium disposed in an artificial container. The method places in a vicinity of the medium at least one of a plasmonics agent and an energy modulation agent. The method applies an initiation energy through the artificial container to the medium. The initiation energy interacts with the plasmonics agent or the energy modulation agent to directly or indirectly produce the change in the medium. The system includes an initiation energy source configured to apply an initiation energy to the medium to activate the plasmonics agent or the energy modulation agent.

Claims

1. A method for producing a change in a medium disposed in an artificial container, comprising:

(1) placing in a vicinity of the medium at least one of a plasmonics agent and an energy modulation agent, said energy modulation agent is configured to emit light into the medium upon interaction with an initiation energy; and

(2) applying the initiation energy from an energy source to the medium,

wherein the applied initiation energy interacts with the plasmonics agent or the energy modulation agent to directly or indirectly produce the change in the medium.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising emitting said light from the energy modulation agent at an energy different from the applied initiation energy.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the plasmonics agent 1) enhances or modifies said light from the energy modulation agent or 2) enhances or modifies the initiation energy.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein applying comprises:

applying the initiation energy from an external energy source;

or

applying the initiation energy from a source that is at least partially in the artificial container holding the medium or that is exposed through an opening in the artificial container;

or

applying the initiation energy to a structural element in which a gap therein was prefilled with an uncured radiation-curable medium to thereby cure the uncured radiation-curable medium in the gap;

or

applying a directed or focused beam of the initiation energy to produce a patterned element from the uncured radiation-curable medium.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein applying comprises applying said initiation energy from a source emitting at least one of x-rays, gamma rays, an electron beam, UV radiation, visible light, infrared radiation, microwaves, chemical energy, or radio waves.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the plasmonics agent comprises metal structures.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the metal structures comprise at least one of nanospheres, nanorods, nanocubes, nanopyramids, nanoshells, multi-layer nanoshells, and combinations thereof.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the energy modulation agent comprises at least one of a sulfide, a telluride, a selenide and an oxide semiconductor.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the energy modulation agent comprises at least one of Y₂O₃;

ZnS;

ZnSe;

MgS;

CaS;

Mn, Er ZnSe;

Mn, Er MgS;

Mn, Er CaS;

Mn, Er ZnS;

Mn, Yb ZnSe;

Mn, Yb MgS;

Mn, Yb CaS;

Mn, Yb ZnS;

Tb³⁺, Er³⁺;

ZnS;

Tb³⁺;

Y₂O₃;

Tb³⁺;

Y₂O₃;

Tb³⁺, Er³⁺;

ZnS;

Mn²⁺;

ZnS;

Mn, Er³⁺.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein:

the energy modulation agent is disposed adjacent to at least one metal nanoparticle serving as the plasmonics agent;

the energy modulation agent is coated at least partially with a metal serving as the plasmonics agent;

the energy modulation agent includes a magnetic substance;

or

the energy modulation agent includes a chemical or biological receptor.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein:

a metal nanoparticle serving as the plasmonics agent is at least partially covered with the energy modulation agent;

the metal nanoparticle includes a magnetic substance;

or

the metal nanoparticle includes a chemical or biological receptor.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein:

the plasmonics agent comprises a dielectric-metal composite;

or

the plasmonics agent comprises a plurality of differently sized metal nanoparticles disposed in vicinity of each other as a composite plasmonics agent.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein the change in the medium comprises a change in organism activity.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the change in activity comprises at least one of a sterilization of the medium or a deactivation of fermentation in the medium.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein the change in activity comprises a cold pasteurization of the medium.

16. The method of claim 1, wherein applying comprises sterilizing a medium including at least one organism selected from the group consisting of bacteria, viruses, yeasts, and fungi.

17. The method of claim 1, further comprising introducing a photoactivatable agent to the medium.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the photoactivatable agent comprises an active agent contained within a photocage, wherein upon exposure to said initiation energy source, the photocage is configured to disassociate from the active agent, rendering the active agent available to the medium.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein the photoactivatable agent is selected from psoralens, pyrene cholesteryloleate, acridine, porphyrin, fluorescein, rhodamine, 16-diazorcortisone, ethidium, transition metal complexes of bleomycin, transition metal complexes of deglycobleomycin organoplatinum complexes, alloxazines, vitamin Ks, vitamin L, vitamin metabolites, vitamin precursors, naphthoquinones, naphthalenes, naphthols and derivatives thereof having planar molecular conformations, porphorinporphyrins, dyes and phenothiazine derivatives, coumarins, quinolones, quinones, and anthroquinones.

20. The method of claim 17, wherein the photoactivatable agent comprises a psoralen, a coumarin, or a derivative thereof.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein at least one of a cancer cell, a tumor cell, an autoimmune deficiency symptom virus, or a blood-borne germicide is treated by the psoralen, the coumarin, or the derivative thereof.

22. The method of claim 17, wherein the photoactivatable agent comprises a photocatalyst.

23. The method of claim 17, wherein the photocatalyst agent comprises at least one of TiO₂, ZnO, CdS, CdSe, SnO₂, SrTiO₃, WO₃, Fe₂O₃, and Ta₂O₅.

24. The method of claim 1, wherein:

the energy modulation agent comprises photon emitters configured to emit said light at a wavelength which activates at least one photoactivatable agent in the medium, and

the plasmonics agent enhances the light emitted from the energy modulation agent such that enhanced radiant light activates the at least one photoactivatable agent.

25. The method of claim 24, wherein said photon emitters comprise a plurality of luminescent agents.

26. The method of claim 25, wherein said luminescent agents are selected from the group consisting of phosphorescent compounds, chemiluminescent compounds, and bioluminescent compounds which emit said light upon exposure to said initiation energy.

27. The method of claim 25, wherein said luminescent agents comprise nanotubes, nanoparticles, chemilumiscent particles, and bioluminescent particles, and mixtures thereof.

28. The method of claim 25, wherein said luminescent agents comprise semiconducting or metallic materials.

29. The method of claim 25, wherein the luminescent agents comprise chemiluminescent agents which have enhanced chemiluminescence upon exposure to microwave energy.

30. The method of claim 25, wherein the luminescent agents comprise carbon nanotubes.

31. The method of claim 30, wherein the carbon nanotubes luminesce upon exposure to microwave or rf energy.

32. The method of claim 25, further comprising magnetically introducing or collecting the energy modulation agent into or from the medium.

33. The method of claim 1, wherein applying comprises:

applying the initiation energy throughout an entire volume of the artificial container.

34. The method of claim 1, wherein applying comprises:

transmitting the initiation energy through said artificial container comprising at least one of an aluminum container, a quartz container, a glass container, a plastic container or a combination thereof.

35. The method of claim 1, wherein the energy modulation agent is provided within the medium at a density where said light generated in the medium from the energy modulation agent is not occluded throughout the medium.

36. The method of claim 1, wherein placing comprises providing segregated within the medium the energy modulation agent or the plasmonics agent.

37. The method of claim 36, wherein providing segregated within the medium comprises providing encapsulations of the energy modulation agent or the plasmonics agent in the medium.

38. The method of claim 37, wherein providing encapsulations comprises providing said encapsulations at a density where the light is not occluded throughout the medium.

39. The method of claim 37, wherein providing encapsulations comprises:

providing said encapsulations in a fluidized bed;

providing said encapsulations in re-entrant structures extending into the artificial container holding said medium;

or

providing said encapsulations on interior walls of the artificial container holding said medium.

40. The method of claim 1, wherein said initiation energy comprises x-ray energy and UV/VIS energy activates a photoactivatable agent in the medium.

41. The method of claim 1, wherein said initiation energy comprises infrared energy and UV/VIS energy activates a photoactivatable agent in the medium.

42. The method of claim 1, wherein said initiation energy comprises radiowave or microwave energy and UV/VIS energy activates a photoactivatable agent in the medium.

43. The method of claim 1, wherein applying comprises applying the initiation energy to waste water to reduce contaminants in the waste water.

44. The method of claim 1, wherein applying comprises sterilizing parts of a utensil in a joint region adhering one region of the utensil to another region of the utensil.

45. The method of claim 1, wherein applying comprises applying the initiation energy to fluids to sterilize the fluids.

46. The method of claim 45, wherein applying comprises at least one of:

sterilizing blood products or food products;

or

pasteurizing the fluids or the food products.

47. The method of claim 1, wherein applying comprises applying the initiation energy to alter a surface structure of an article in the medium.

48. The method of claim 47, wherein applying comprises photo-grafting a molecular species onto a surface of the article.

49. The method of claim 1, wherein applying comprises applying for the initiation energy a higher energy than that produced by the energy modulation agent or a lower energy than that produced by the energy modulation agent.

50. A method for producing a change in a medium disposed in an artificial container, comprising:

(1) placing in the vicinity in the medium a plasmonics agent and an activatable agent which produce a change in the medium when activated, said plasmonics agent is configured to enhance or modify an energy being transmitted in a vicinity of the plasmonics agent; and

(2) applying an initiation energy from an energy source to the medium,

wherein the initiation energy interacts with the plasmonics agent or the activatable agent to directly or indirectly produce the change in the medium.

51. The method of claim 50, further comprising emitting light from an energy modulation agent disposed in a vicinity of the medium at an energy different from the applied initiation energy.

52. The method of claim 51, wherein the plasmonics agent 1) enhances or modifies said light from the energy modulation agent or 2) enhances or modifies the initiation energy.

53. The method of claim 50, wherein applying comprises:

applying the initiation energy from an external energy source;

or

applying the initiation energy from a source that is at least partially in the artificial container holding the medium or that is exposed through an opening in the artificial container;

or

applying the initiation energy to a structural element in which a gap therein was prefilled with an uncured radiation-curable medium to thereby cure the uncured radiation-curable medium in the gap;

or

applying a directed or focused beam of the initiation energy to produce a patterned element from the uncured radiation-curable medium.

54. The method of claim 50, wherein applying comprises applying said initiation energy from a source emitting at least one of x-rays, gamma rays, an electron beam, UV radiation, visible light, infrared radiation, microwaves, chemical energy, or radio waves.

55. The method of claim 50, wherein the plasmonics agent comprises metal structures.

56. The method of claim 55, wherein the metal structures comprises at least one of nanospheres, nanorods, nanocubes, nanopyramids, nanoshells, multi-layer nanoshells, and combinations thereof.

57. The method of claim 50, further comprising providing in the medium an energy modulation agent comprising at least one of a sulfide, a telluride, a selenide and an oxide semiconductor.

58. The method of claim 57, wherein the energy modulation agent comprises at least one of Y₂O₃;

ZnS;

ZnSe;

MgS;

CaS;

Mn, Er ZnSe;

Mn, Er MgS;

Mn, Er CaS;

Mn, Er ZnS;

Mn, Yb ZnSe;

Mn, Yb MgS;

Mn, Yb CaS;

Mn, Yb ZnS;

Tb³⁺, Er³⁺;

ZnS;

Tb³⁺;

Y₂O₃;

Tb³⁺;

Y₂O₃;

Tb³⁺, Er³⁺;

ZnS;

Mn²⁺;

ZnS;

Mn, Er³⁺.

59. The method of claim 50, wherein:

the activatable agent is disposed adjacent to at least one metal nanoparticle serving as the plasmonics agent;

the activatable agent is coated at least partially with a metal serving as the plasmonics agent;

the activatable agent includes a magnetic substance;

or

the activatable agent includes a chemical or biological receptor.

60. The method of claim 50, wherein:

a metal nanoparticle serving as the plasmonics agent is at least partially covered with the activatable agent;

the metal nanoparticle includes a magnetic substance;

or

the metal nanoparticle includes a chemical or biological receptor.

61. The method of claim 50, wherein:

the plasmonics agent comprises a dielectric-metal nanocomposite;

or

the plasmonics agent comprises a plurality of differently sized metal nanoparticles disposed in vicinity of each other as a composite plasmonics agent.

62. The method of claim 50, wherein the change in the medium comprises a change in organism activity.

63. The method of claim 62, wherein the change in activity comprises at least one of a sterilization of the medium or a deactivation of fermentation in the medium.

64. The method of claim 62, wherein the change in activity comprises a cold pasteurization of the medium.

65. The method of claim 50, wherein applying comprises applying said initiation energy to sterilize a medium including at least one organism selected from the group consisting of bacteria, viruses, yeasts, and fungi.

66. The method of claim 50, wherein the activatable agent comprises a photoactivatable agent.

67. The method of claim 66, wherein the photoactivatable agent comprises an active agent contained within a photocage, wherein upon exposure to said initiation energy source, the photocage disassociates from the active agent, rendering the active agent available to the medium.

68. The method of claim 66, wherein the activatable agent is selected from psoralens, pyrene cholesteryloleate, acridine, porphyrin, fluorescein, rhodamine, 16-diazorcortisone, ethidium, transition metal complexes of bleomycin, transition metal complexes of deglycobleomycin organoplatinum complexes, alloxazines, vitamin Ks, vitamin L, vitamin metabolites, vitamin precursors, naphthoquinones, naphthalenes, naphthols and derivatives thereof having planar molecular conformations, porphorinporphyrins, dyes and phenothiazine derivatives, coumarins, quinolones, quinones, and anthroquinones.

69. The method of claim 50, wherein the activatable agent comprises a psoralen, a coumarin, or a derivative thereof.

70. The method of claim 69, wherein at least one of a cancer cell, a tumor cell, an autoimmune deficiency symptom virus, or a blood-borne germicide is treated by the psoralen, the coumarin, or the derivative thereof.

71. The method of claim 50, wherein the activatable agent comprises photocatalyst.

72. The method of claim 71, wherein the photocatalyst comprises at least one of TiO₂, ZnO, CdS, CdSe, SnO₂, SrTiO₃, WO₃, Fe₂O₃, and Ta₂O₅ particles.

73. The method of claim 50, further comprising providing with the medium an energy modulation agent that converts the initiation energy to an activation energy that activates the at least one activatable agent.

74. The method of claim 73, wherein the energy modulation agent comprises photon emitters configured to emit light at a wavelength which activates the activatable agent, and

the plasmonics agent enhances said light such that enhanced light activates the activatable agent.

75. The method of claim 74, wherein said photon emitters comprise a plurality of luminescent agents.

76. The method of claim 75, wherein said luminescent agents are selected from the group consisting of phosphorescent compounds, chemiluminescent compounds, and bioluminescent compounds which emit said light upon exposure to said initiation energy.

77. The method of claim 75, wherein said luminescent agents comprise nanotubes, nanoparticles, chemilumiscent particles, and bioluminescent particles, and mixtures thereof.

78. The method of claim 75, wherein said luminescent agents comprise semiconducting or metallic materials.

79. The method of claim 75, wherein the luminescent agents comprise chemiluminescent agents which have enhanced chemiluminescence upon exposure to microwave energy.

80. The method of claim 75, wherein the luminescent agents comprise carbon nanotubes.

81. The method of claim 80, wherein the carbon nanotubes luminesce upon exposure to microwave or rf energy.

82. The method of claim 74, further comprising magnetically introducing or collecting the energy modulation agent into or from the medium.

83. The method of claim 50, wherein applying comprises:

applying the initiation energy throughout an entire volume of the artificial container.

84. The method of claim 50, wherein applying comprises:

transmitting the initiation energy through said artificial container comprising at least one of an aluminum container, a quartz container, a glass container, a plastic container or a combination thereof.

85. The method of claim 50, wherein placing comprises providing dispersed within the medium energy modulation agents that convert the initiation energy to light that activates the activatable agent.

86. The method of claim 85, wherein providing dispersed within the medium comprises providing said energy modulation agents at a density where the light is not occluded throughout the medium.

87. The method of claim 50, wherein placing comprises providing segregated within the medium energy modulation agents or the plasmonics agent.

88. The method of claim 87, wherein providing segregated within the medium comprises providing encapsulations of the energy modulation agents or the plasmonics agents in the medium.

89. The method of claim 88, wherein providing encapsulations comprises providing said encapsulations at a density where the light is not occluded throughout the medium.

90. The method of claim 88, wherein providing encapsulations comprises:

providing said encapsulations in a fluidized bed;

providing said encapsulations in re-entrant structures extending into the artificial container holding said medium;

or

providing said encapsulations on interior walls of the artificial container holding said medium.

91. The method of claim 50, wherein said initiation energy comprises x-ray energy and UV/VIS energy activates the activatable agent.

92. The method of claim 50, wherein said initiation energy comprises infrared energy and UV/VIS energy activates the activatable agent.

93. The method of claim 50, wherein said initiation energy comprises radiowave or microwave energy and UV/VIS energy activates the activatable agent.

94. The method of claim 50, wherein applying comprises applying the initiation energy to waste water to reduce contaminants in the waste water.

95. The method of claim 50, wherein applying comprises sterilizing parts of a utensil in a joint region adhering one region of the utensil to another region of the utensil.

96. The method of claim 50, wherein applying comprises applying the initiation energy to fluids to sterilize the fluids

97. The method of claim 96, wherein applying comprises sterilizing blood products or food products.

98. The method of claim 50, wherein applying comprises applying the initiation energy to fluid or food products to pasteurize the fluid or the food products.

99. The method of claim 50, wherein applying comprises applying the initiation energy to alter a surface structure of an article in the medium.

100. The method of claim 99, wherein applying comprises photo-grafting a molecular species onto a surface of the article.

101. The method of claim 50, wherein applying comprises applying for the initiation energy a higher energy than that produced by an energy modulation agent in the medium or a lower energy than that produced by an energy modulation agent in the medium.

102. A method for curing of a radiation-curable medium, comprising:

applying an initiation energy throughout a composition comprising

     1) an uncured radiation-curable medium and

     2) at least one of a plasmonics agent and an energy modulation agent, wherein the initiation energy interacts with the plasmonics agent or the energy modulation agent to directly or indirectly cure the uncured medium by polymerization of polymers in the medium; and

curing the radiation-curable medium by activating a photoinitiator in the radiation-curable medium.

103. The method of claim 102, further comprising emitting light from the energy modulation agent at an energy different from the applied initiation energy.

104. The method of claim 103, wherein the plasmonics agent 1) enhances or modifies the light emission from the energy modulation agent or 2) enhances or modifies the initiation energy.

105. The method of claim 102, wherein applying comprises:

applying the initiation energy from an external energy source;

or

applying the initiation energy from a source that is at least partially in a container holding the medium;

or

applying the initiation energy to a structural element in which a gap therein was prefilled with the uncured medium to thereby cure the uncured medium in the gap;

or

applying a directed or focused beam of the initiation energy to produce a patterned element from the radiation-curable medium.

106. The method of claim 102, wherein the initiation energy comprises x-ray energy and the activation energy is UV/VIS energy.

107. The method of claim 102, wherein the initiation energy comprises microwave energy and the activation energy is UV/VIS energy.

108. The method of claim 102, wherein the initiation energy comprises at least one of x-rays, gamma rays, an electron beam, UV radiation, microwaves, chemical energy, or radio waves.

109. The method of claim 102, further comprising providing in the medium for the energy modulation agent at least one of a sulfide, a telluride, a selenide and an oxide semiconductor.

110. The method of claim 109, wherein the energy modulation agents comprise at least one of Y₂O₃;

ZnS;

ZnSe;

MgS;

CaS;

Mn, Er ZnSe;

Mn, Er MgS;

Mn, Er CaS;

Mn, Er ZnS;

Mn, Yb ZnSe;

Mn, Yb MgS;

Mn, Yb CaS;

Mn, Yb ZnS;

Tb³⁺, Er³⁺;

ZnS;

Tb³⁺;

Y₂O₃;

Tb³⁺;

Y₂O₃;

Tb³⁺, Er³⁺;

ZnS;

Mn²⁺;

ZnS;

Mn, Er³⁺.

111. The method of claim 102, wherein applying comprises applying for the initiation energy a higher energy than that produced by the energy modulation agent in the medium or a lower energy than that produced by the energy modulation agent in the medium.

112. The method of claim 102, wherein the plasmonics agent comprises metal structures.

113. The method of claim 112, wherein the metal structures comprises at least one of nanospheres, nanorods, nanocubes, nanopyramids, nanoshells, multi-layer nanoshells, and combinations thereof.

114. The method of claim 102, further comprising generating light from the least one energy modulation agent for activation of the photoinitiator in the medium, wherein the plasmonics agent enhances the generated light such that enhanced radiant light activates the photoinitiator.

115. The method of claim 114, wherein said photoinitiator comprises at least one of benzoin, substituted benzoins, alkyl ester substituted benzoins, Michler'"'"'s ketone, dialkoxyacetophenones, diethoxyacetophenone, benzophenone, substituted benzophenones, acetophenone, substituted acetophenones, xanthone, substituted xanthones, benzoin methyl ether, benzoin ethyl ether, benzoin isopropyl ether, diethoxyxanthone, chloro-thio-xanthone, azo-bisisobutyronitrile, N-methyl diethanolaminebenzophenone, camphoquinone, peroxyester initiators, non-fluorene-carboxylic acid peroxyesters and mixtures thereof.

116. The method of claim 102, wherein the energy modulation agent comprises photon emitters configured to emit light at a wavelength which activates the photoinitiator, and the plasmonics agent enhances said light such that enhanced light activates the photoinitiator.

117. The method of claim 116, wherein said photon emitters comprise a plurality of luminescent agents.

118. The method of claim 117, wherein said luminescent agents are selected from the group consisting of phosphorescent compounds, chemiluminescent compounds, and bioluminescent compounds which emit light upon exposure to said initiation energy.

119. The method of claim 117, wherein said luminescent agents comprise nanotubes, nanoparticles, chemilumiscent particles, and bioluminescent particles, and mixtures thereof.

120. The method of claim 117, wherein said luminescent agents comprise semiconducting or metallic materials.

121. The method of claim 117, wherein the luminescent agents comprise chemiluminescent agents which show enhanced chemiluminescence upon exposure to microwave energy.

122. The method of claim 117, wherein the luminescent agents comprise carbon nanotubes.

123. The method of claim 122, wherein the carbon nanotubes luminesce upon exposure to microwave or rf energy.

124. The method of claim 102, further comprising activating the photoinitiator by reception of light from the energy modulation agent to cure the uncured medium.

125. The method of claim 102, wherein said energy modulation agent, upon exposure to the initiation energy, emits one or more photons that cures the uncured medium.

126. The method of claim 102, wherein the energy modulation agent comprises luminescent particles distributed throughout the uncured medium whose emission cures the uncured medium throughout the medium.

127. The method of claim 102, further comprising:

providing the uncured medium in a container permeable to said initiation energy.

128. The method of claim 127, wherein said container is at least one of an aluminum container, a quartz container, a glass container, a plastic container or a combination thereof.

129. The method of claim 102, wherein applying the initiation energy comprises irradiating said uncured radiation-curable medium in a joint region adhering one region of a utensil to another region of the utensil.

130. The method of claim 129, wherein applying the initiation energy comprises sterilizing said joint region.

131. The method of claim 102, wherein:

the energy modulation agent is disposed adjacent at least one metal nanoparticle serving as the plasmonics agent;

the energy modulation agent is coated at least partially with a metal serving as the plasmonics agent;

or

the energy modulation agent includes a magnetic substance.

132. The method of claim 102, wherein:

a metal nanoparticle serving as the plasmonics agent is at least partially covered with the energy modulation agent;

or

the metal nanoparticle includes a magnetic substance.

133. The method of claim 102, wherein:

the plasmonics agent comprises a dielectric-metal nanocomposite;

or

the plasmonics agent comprises a plurality of differently sized metal nanoparticles disposed in vicinity of each other as a composite plasmonics agent.

141. The system of claim 132, wherein the energy modulation agent comprises at least one of a sulfide, a telluride, a selenide and an oxide semiconductor.

142. The system of claim 141, wherein the energy modulation agent comprises at least one of Y₂O₃;

ZnS;

ZnSe;

MgS;

CaS;

Mn, Er ZnSe;

Mn, Er MgS;

Mn, Er CaS;

Mn, Er ZnS;

Mn, Yb ZnSe;

Mn, Yb MgS;

Mn, Yb CaS;

Mn, Yb ZnS;

Tb³⁺, Er³⁺;

ZnS;

Tb³⁺;

Y₂O₃;

Tb³⁺;

Y₂O₃;

Tb³⁺, Er³⁺;

ZnS;

Mn²⁺;

ZnS;

Mn, Er³⁺.

134. A system for producing a change in a medium disposed in an artificial container, comprising:

a mechanism configured to provide to the medium

     1) an activatable agent and

     2) at least one of a plasmonics agent and an energy modulation agent, said energy modulation agent is configured to emit light into the medium upon interaction with an initiation energy, and said plasmonics agent is configured to enhance or modify an energy being transmitted in a vicinity of the plasmonics agent; and

an initiation energy source configured to apply the initiation energy to the medium,

wherein the initiation energy interacts with the plasmonics agent or the energy modulation agent to directly or indirectly produce the change in the medium.

135. The system of claim 134, wherein the energy modulation agent is configured to emit said light at an energy different from the initiation energy.

136. The system of claim 135, wherein the plasmonics agent 1) enhances or modifies the light from the energy modulation agent or 2) enhances or modifies the initiation energy.

137. The system of claim 134, wherein:

the initiation energy source comprises an external energy source;

or

the initiation energy source comprises an energy source that is at least partially in the artificial container holding the medium or that is exposed through an opening in the artificial container;

or

an external energy source directed to a structural element in which a gap therein was prefilled with the uncured radiation-curable medium to thereby cure the uncured radiation-curable medium in the gap;

or

a directed or focused beam of the initiation energy which cures the uncured radiation-curable medium to produce a patterned element.

138. The system of claim 134, wherein the initiation energy source comprises at least one of at least one of an x-ray source, a gamma ray source, an electron beam source, an UV radiation source, a microwave source, or a radio wave source.

139. The system of claim 134, wherein the plasmonics agent comprises metal structures.

140. The system of claim 139, wherein the metal structures comprises at least one of nanospheres, nanorods, nanocubes, nanopyramids, nanoshells, multi-layer nanoshells, and combinations thereof.

143. The system of claim 134, wherein the medium comprises a medium to be fermented.

144. The system of claim 134, wherein the medium comprises a fluid medium to be sterilized or pasteurized.

145. The system of claim 144, wherein the medium comprises blood products or food products.

146. The system of claim 145, wherein the medium includes at least one organism selected from the group consisting of bacteria, viruses, yeasts, and fungi.

147. The system of claim 134, wherein the activatable agent comprises a photoactivatable agent.

148. The system of claim 134, wherein the activatable agent comprises an active agent contained within a photocage, and upon exposure to the initiation energy source, the photocage disassociates from the active agent, rendering the active agent available.

149. The system of claim 134, wherein the activatable agent is selected from psoralens, pyrene cholesteryloleate, acridine, porphyrin, fluorescein, rhodamine, 16-diazorcortisone, ethidium, transition metal complexes of bleomycin, transition metal complexes of deglycobleomycin organoplatinum complexes, alloxazines, vitamin Ks, vitamin L, vitamin metabolites, vitamin precursors, naphthoquinones, naphthalenes, naphthols and derivatives thereof having planar molecular conformations, porphorinporphyrins, dyes and phenothiazine derivatives, coumarins, quinolones, quinones, and anthroquinones.

150. The system of claim 134, wherein the activatable agent comprises a psoralen, a coumarin, or a derivative thereof.

151. The system of claim 150, wherein at least one of a cancer cell, a tumor cell, an autoimmune deficiency symptom virus, or a blood-borne germicide is treated by the psoralen, the coumarin, or the derivative thereof.

152. The system of claim 134, wherein the activatable agent comprises a photocatalyst.

153. The system of claim 152, wherein the photocatalyst comprises at least one of TiO₂, ZnO, CdS, CdSe, SnO₂, SrTiO₃, WO₃, Fe₂O₃, and Ta₂O₅ particles.

154. The system of claim 134, further comprising a magnetic mechanism configured to provide to the medium or collect from the medium the energy modulation agent.

155. The system of claim 154, wherein the energy modulation agent comprises a photon emitter selected from the group consisting of phosphorescent compounds, chemiluminescent compounds, and bioluminescent compounds.

156. The system of claim 155, wherein said energy modulation agent comprise a plurality of luminescent agents.

157. The system of claim 156, wherein said luminescent agents are selected from a group consisting of phosphorescent compounds, chemiluminescent compounds, and bioluminescent compounds which emit light upon exposure to said initiation energy.

158. The system of claim 156, wherein said luminescent agents comprise nanotubes, nanoparticles, chemilumiscent particles, and bioluminescent particles, and mixtures thereof.

159. The system of claim 156, wherein said luminescent agents comprise semiconducting or metallic materials.

160. The system of claim 156, wherein the luminescent agents comprise chemiluminescent agents which chemiluminesce upon exposure to microwave energy.

161. The system of claim 134, wherein the energy modulation agent is provided within the medium at a density where said light from the energy modulation agent is not occluded throughout the medium.

162. The system of claim 134, wherein the energy modulation agent converts the initiation energy to light that activates the activatable agent.

163. The system of claim 134, further comprising encapsulations of the plasmonincs agent or the energy modulation agent in the medium.

164. The system of claim 163, wherein said encapsulations comprise a density where said light emitted from the encapsulations is not occluded throughout the medium.

165. The system of claim 163, wherein said encapsulations comprise:

a fluidized bed;

re-entrant structures extending into a container holding said medium;

or

interior walls of the artificial container holding said medium.

166. The system of claim 134, wherein said artificialcontainer comprises a container that is permeable to said initiation energy.

167. The system of claim 134, wherein said artificial container is at least one of an aluminum container, a quartz container, a glass container, a plastic container or a construction thereof.

168. The system of claim 134, wherein said artificial container comprises a container which receives and transmits the initiation energy to fluid products to pasteurize the fluid products.

169. The system of claim 134, wherein said artificial container comprises a container which receives and transmits the initiation energy to fluid products to treat contaminants in the fluid products.

170. The system of claim 134, wherein:

the activatable agent is disposed adjacent at least one metal nanoparticle serving as the plasmonics agent;

the activatable agent is coated at least partially with a metal serving as the plasmonics agent;

the activatable agent includes a magnetic substance;

or

the activatable agent includes a chemical or biological receptor.

171. The system of claim 134, wherein:

a metal nanoparticle serving as the plasmonics agent is at least partially covered with the activatable agent;

the metal nanoparticle includes a magnetic substance;

or

the metal nanoparticle includes a chemical or biological receptor.

172. The system of claim 134, wherein:

the plasmonics agent comprises a dielectric-metal nanocomposite;

or

the plasmonics agent comprises a plurality of differently sized metal nanoparticles disposed in vicinity of each other as a composite plasmonics agent.

173. The system of claim 134, wherein the initiation energy is at a higher energy than that produced by the energy modulation agent, or that produced by the energy modulation agent.

174. A system for curing of a radiation-curable medium, comprising:

a mechanism configured to supply an uncured radiation-curable medium including an activatable agent and at least one of a plasmonics agent and an energy modulation agent into the uncured radiation-curable medium; and

an initiation energy source configured to apply an initiation energy throughout a region including the uncured radiation-curable medium,

wherein the initiation energy interacts with the plasmonics agent or the energy modulation agent to directly or indirectly cure the medium by polymerization of polymers in the medium.

175. The system of claim 174, wherein the energy modulation agent is configured to emit light at an energy different from the initiation energy.

176. The system of claim 175, wherein the plasmonics agent 1) enhances or modifies said light from the energy modulation agent or 2) enhances or modifies the initiation energy.

177. The system of claim 174, wherein the initiation energy source comprises:

an external energy source;

or

an energy source that is at least partially in a container holding the medium;

or

an external energy source directed to a structural element in which a gap therein was prefilled with the uncured radiation-curable medium to thereby cure the uncured radiation-curable medium in the gap;

or

a directed or focused beam of the initiation energy which cures the uncured radiation-curable medium to produce a patterned element.

178. The system of claim 174, wherein the initiation energy source comprises at least one of an x-ray source, a gamma ray source, an electron beam source, an UV radiation source, a microwave source, or a radio wave source.

179. The system of claim 174, wherein the energy modulation agent comprises at least one of a sulfide, a telluride, a selenide and an oxide semiconductor.

180. The system of claim 179, wherein the energy modulation comprises at least one of Y₂O₃;

ZnS;

ZnSe;

MgS;

CaS;

Mn, Er ZnSe;

Mn, Er MgS;

Mn, Er CaS;

Mn, Er ZnS;

Mn, Yb ZnSe;

Mn, Yb MgS;

Mn, Yb CaS;

Mn, Yb ZnS;

Tb³⁺, Er³⁺;

ZnS;

Tb³⁺;

Y₂O₃;

Tb³⁺;

Y₂O₃;

Tb³⁺, Er³⁺;

ZnS;

Mn²⁺;

ZnS;

Mn, Er³⁺.

181. The system of claim 174, wherein the plasmonics agent comprises metal structures.

182. The system of claim 181, wherein the metal structures comprises at least one of nanospheres, nanorods, nanocubes, nanopyramids, nanoshells, multi-layer nanoshells, and combinations thereof.

183. The system of claim 174, wherein the activatable agent comprises a photoinitiator.

184. The system of claim 183, wherein said photoinitiator comprises at least one of benzoin, substituted benzoins, alkyl ester substituted benzoins, Michler'"'"'s ketone, dialkoxyacetophenones, diethoxyacetophenone, benzophenone, substituted benzophenones, acetophenone, substituted acetophenones, xanthone, substituted xanthones, benzoin methyl ether, benzoin ethyl ether, benzoin isopropyl ether, diethoxyxanthone, chloro-thio-xanthone, azo-bisisobutyronitrile, N-methyl diethanolaminebenzophenone, camphoquinone, peroxyester initiators, non-fluorene-carboxylic acid peroxyesters and mixtures thereof.

185. The system of claim 174, wherein:

the energy modulation agent comprises photon emitters configured to emit light at a wavelength which activates the activatable agent; and

the plasmonics agent enhances the emitted light such that enhanced light activates the activatable agent.

186. The system of claim 185, wherein said photon emitters comprise a plurality of luminescent agents.

187. The system of claim 186, wherein said luminescent agents are selected from the group consisting of phosphorescent compounds, chemiluminescent compounds, and bioluminescent compounds which emit light upon exposure to said initiation energy.

188. The system of claim 186, wherein said luminescent agents comprise nanotubes, nanoparticles, chemilumiscent particles, and bioluminescent particles, and mixtures thereof.

189. The system of claim 186, wherein said luminescent agents comprise semiconducting or metallic materials.

190. The system of claim 186, wherein the luminescent agents comprise chemiluminescent agents which show enhanced chemiluminescence upon exposure to microwave energy.

191. The system of claim 174, wherein the energy modulation agent comprises luminescent agents distributed throughout the medium whose emission cures the uncured medium throughout the medium.

192. The system of claim 174, wherein the energy modulation agent is provided within the medium at a density where light generated in the medium from the energy modulation agent is not occluded throughout the medium.

193. The system of claim 174, wherein the energy modulation agent converts the initiation energy to light that activates the activatable agent.

194. The system of claim 174, further comprising encapsulations of the plasmonics agent or the energy modulation agent in the medium.

195. The system of claim 194, wherein said encapsulations comprise a density where light from the encapsulations is not occluded throughout the medium.

196. The system of claim 174, further comprising a container configured to contain the uncured radiation-curable medium.

197. The system of claim 196, wherein said container comprises at least one of an aluminum container, a quartz container, a glass container, a plastic container or a combination thereof.

198. The system of claim 174, wherein the initiation energy source is configured to irradiate said uncured radiation-curable medium in a joint region adhering one region of a utensil to another region of the utensil.

199. The system of claim 198, wherein the initiation energy source is configured to irradiate the joint region and thereby induce sterilization of the joint region due to the production of internal UV light inside the joint region.

200. The system of claim 174, wherein the initiation energy source is configured to irradiate a surface coating.

201. The system of claim 174, wherein the initiation energy source is configured to irradiate a mold of the radiation-curable medium.

202. The system of claim 174, wherein the radiation-curable medium comprises color pigments.

203. The system of claim 174, wherein the radiation-curable medium comprises fumed silica.

204. The system of claim 174, wherein the radiation-curable medium comprises a moisture cure promoter.

205. The system of claim 174, wherein:

the energy modulation agent is disposed adjacent at least one metal nanoparticle serving as the plasmonics agent;

the energy modulation agent is coated at least partially with a metal serving as the plasmonics agent;

or

the energy modulation agent includes a magnetic substance.

206. The system of claim 174, wherein:

a metal nanoparticle serving as the plasmonics agent is at least partially covered with the energy modulation agent;

or

the metal nanoparticle includes a magnetic substance.

207. The system of claim 174, wherein:

the plasmonics agent comprises a dielectric-metal nanocomposite;

or

the plasmonics agent comprises a plurality of differently sized metal nanoparticles disposed in vicinity of each other as a composite plasmonics agent.

208. The system of claim 174, wherein the initiation energy is at a higher energy than that produced by the energy modulation agent or is at a lower energy than that produced by the energy modulation agent.

209. A system for producing a change in a medium disposed in an artificial container, comprising:

a mechanism configured to provide to the medium a plasmonics agent, said plasmonics agent is configured to enhance or modify an energy being transmitted in a vicinity of the plasmonics agent; and

an initiation energy source configured to apply initiation energy to the medium,

wherein the initiation energy interacts with the plasmonics agent to directly or indirectly produce the change in the medium.

210. The system of claim 209, wherein the initiation energy is at a higher energy than that produced by an energy modulation agent converting the initiation energy to a different energy or is at a lower energy than that produced by the energy modulation agent.

211. The system of claim 210, wherein the encapsulated structures include the plasmonics agent and comprise:

a fluidized bed;

re-entrant structures extending into the artificial container holding said medium;

or

interior walls of the artificial container holding said medium.

212. The system of claim 210, wherein the encapsulated structures include nanoparticles of energy modulation agents encapsulated with a passivation layer.

213. The system of claim 210, wherein the encapsulated structures include sealed tubes including energy modulation agents and the plasmonics agents.

214. The system of claim 210, wherein the encapsulated structures include sealed tubes having the plasmonics agents disposed on an outside of the sealed tube near the medium.

215. The system of claim 209, wherein the plasmonics agents comprise metal structures.

216. The system of claim 215, wherein the metal structures comprises at least one of nanospheres, nanorods, nanocubes, nanopyramids, nanoshells, multi-layer nanoshells, and combinations thereof.

217. The system of claim 215, wherein:

an energy modulation agent is disposed adjacent at least one metal nanoparticle serving as the plasmonics agent;

the energy modulation agent is coated at least partially with a metal serving as the plasmonics agent;

the energy modulation agent includes a magnetic substance;

or

the energy modulation agent includes a chemical or biological receptor.

218. The system of claim 215, wherein:

a metal nanoparticle serving as the plasmonics agent is at least partially covered with the energy modulation agent;

the metal nanoparticle includes a magnetic substance;

or

the metal nanoparticle includes a chemical or biological receptor.

219. The system of claim 215, wherein:

the plasmonics agent comprises a dielectric-metal nanocomposite;

or

the plasmonics agent comprises a plurality of differently sized metal nanoparticles disposed in vicinity of each other as a composite plasmonics agent.

220. The system of claim 209, wherein:

the initiation energy source comprises an external energy source;

or

the initiation energy source comprises an energy source that is at least partially in the artificial container holding the medium or that is exposed through an opening in the artificial container;

or

the initiation energy source comprises an external energy source directed to a structural element in which a gap therein was prefilled with an uncured radiation-curable medium to thereby cure the uncured radiation-curable medium in the gap;

or

the initiation energy source comprises a directed or focused beam of the initiation energy which cures the uncured radiation-curable medium to produce a patterned element.

221. The system of claim 209, further comprising energy modulation agents in the medium, said energy modulation agents including at least one of a sulfide, a telluride, a selenide and an oxide semiconductor.

222. The system of claim 221, wherein the energy modulation agents comprise Y₂O₃;

ZnS;

ZnSe;

MgS;

CaS;

Mn, Er ZnSe;

Mn, Er MgS;

Mn, Er CaS;

Mn, Er ZnS;

Mn, Yb ZnSe;

Mn, Yb MgS;

Mn, Yb CaS;

Mn, Yb ZnS;

Tb³⁺, Er³⁺;

ZnS;

Tb³⁺;

Y₂O₃;

Tb³⁺;

Y₂O₃;

Tb³⁺, Er³⁺;

ZnS;

Mn²⁺;

ZnS;

Mn, Er³⁺.

223. The system of claim 209, further comprising an activatable agent included in the medium and selected from at least one of psoralens, pyrene cholesteryloleate, acridine, porphyrin, fluorescein, rhodamine, 16-diazorcortisone, ethidium, transition metal complexes of bleomycin, transition metal complexes of deglycobleomycin organoplatinum complexes, alloxazines, vitamin Ks, vitamin L, vitamin metabolites, vitamin precursors, naphthoquinones, naphthalenes, naphthols and derivatives thereof having planar molecular conformations, porphorinporphyrins, dyes and phenothiazine derivatives, coumarins, quinolones, quinones, and anthroquinones.

224. The system of claim 223, wherein the activatable agent comprises a psoralen, a coumarin, or a derivative thereof.

225. The system of claim 224, wherein at least one of a cancer cell, a tumor cell, an autoimmune deficiency symptom virus, or a blood-borne germicide is treated by the psoralen, the coumarin, or the derivative thereof.

226. The system of claim 209, further comprising a magnetic mechanism configured to provide to the medium or collect from the medium the plasmonics agent.

242. The system of claim 224, wherein the energy modulation agent comprises at least one of a sulfide, a telluride, a selenide and an oxide semiconductor.

243. The system of claim 242, wherein the energy modulation agent comprises at least one of Y₂O₃;

ZnS;

ZnSe;

MgS;

CaS;

Mn, Er ZnSe;

Mn, Er MgS;

Mn, Er CaS;

Mn, Er ZnS;

Mn, Yb ZnSe;

Mn, Yb MgS;

Mn, Yb CaS;

Mn, Yb ZnS;

Tb³⁺, Er³⁺;

ZnS;

Tb³⁺;

Y₂O₃;

Tb³⁺;

Y₂O₃;

Tb³⁺, Er³⁺;

ZnS;

Mn²⁺;

ZnS;

Mn, Er³⁺.

227. A system for producing a photo-stimulated change to a medium disposed in an artificial container, comprising:

a mechanism configured to provide to the medium at least one of an energy modulation agent and a plasmonics agent, said energy modulation agent is configured to emit light into the medium upon interaction with an initiation energy, said plasmonics agent is configured to enhance or modify an energy being transmitted in a vicinity of the plasmonics agent; and

an initiation energy source configured to apply the initiation energy to the medium,

wherein the initiation energy interacts with the plasmonics agent or the energy modulation agent to directly or indirectly produce the photo-stimulated change.

228. The system of claim 227, wherein the initiation energy is at a higher energy than that produced by the energy modulation agent or is at a lower energy than that produced by the energy modulation agent.

229. The system of claim 228, wherein the encapsulated structures include at least one of the energy modulation agent or the plasmonics agent, and comprise:

a fluidized bed;

re-entrant structures extending into the artificial container holding said medium;

or

interior walls of the artificial container holding said medium.

230. The system of claim 228, wherein the encapsulated structures comprise the energy modulation agent encapsulated with a passivation layer.

231. The system of claim 228, wherein the encapsulated structures include sealed tubes having the plasmonics agent disposed on an outside of the sealed tube near the medium.

232. The system of claim 227, wherein the plasmonics agent comprises metal structures.

233. The system of claim 232, wherein the metal structures comprises at least one of nanospheres, nanorods, nanocubes, nanopyramids, nanoshells, multi-layer nanoshells, and combinations thereof.

234. The system of claim 227, wherein the artificial container comprises a container which receives and transmits the initiation energy to products within the medium.

235. The system of claim 234, wherein said products comprise plastics.

236. The system of claim 235, wherein said light from the energy modulation agent alters the surface structure of the plastics.

237. The system of claim 235, wherein said plastics comprise polylactic acid (PLA) plastics and polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) plastics, and said activation energy photo-grafts a molecular species onto a surface of the plastics.

238. The system of claim 227, wherein:

the energy modulation agent is disposed adjacent to at least one metal nanoparticle serving as the plasmonics agent;

the energy modulation agent is coated at least partially with a metal serving as the plasmonics agent;

the energy modulation agent includes a magnetic substance;

or

the energy modulation agent includes a chemical or biological receptor.

239. The system of claim 227, wherein:

a metal nanoparticle serving as the plasmonics agent is at least partially covered with the energy modulation agent;

the metal nanoparticle includes a magnetic substance;

or

the metal nanoparticle includes a chemical or biological receptor.

240. The system of claim 227, wherein:

the plasmonics agent comprises a dielectric-metal nanocomposite;

or

the plasmonics agent comprises a plurality of differently sized metal nanoparticles disposed in vicinity of each other as a composite plasmonics agent.

241. The system of claim 227, wherein:

the initiation energy source comprises an external energy source;

or

the initiation energy source comprises an energy source that is at least partially in the artificial container holding the medium or that is exposed through an opening in the artificial container;

or

the initiation energy source comprises an external energy source directed to a structural element in which a gap therein was prefilled with an uncured radiation-curable medium to thereby cure the uncured radiation-curable medium in the gap;

or

the initiation energy source comprises a directed or focused beam of the initiation energy which cures the uncured radiation-curable medium to produce a patterned element.

244. A radiation-cured article, comprising:

a radiation-cured medium; and

at least one of an energy modulation agent and a plasmonics agent distributed throughout the medium;

said energy modulation agent being a substance which converted an initiation energy to a light which cured the radiation-cured medium by polymerization of polymers in the radiation-cured medium.

245. The article of claim 244, wherein said at least one energy modulation agent comprises luminescent agents including at least one of a sulfide, a telluride, a selenide and an oxide semiconductor.

246. The article of claim 245, wherein the energy modulation agent comprises at least one of Y₂O₃;

ZnS;

ZnSe;

MgS;

CaS;

Mn, Er ZnSe;

Mn, Er MgS;

Mn, Er CaS;

Mn, Er ZnS;

Mn, Yb ZnSe;

Mn, Yb MgS;

Mn, Yb CaS;

Mn, Yb ZnS;

Tb³⁺, Er³⁺;

ZnS;

Tb³⁺;

Y₂O₃;

Tb³⁺;

Y₂O₃;

Tb³⁺, Er³⁺;

ZnS;

Mn²⁺;

ZnS;

Mn, Er³⁺.

247. The article of claim 245, wherein said luminescent agents comprise nanotubes, nanoparticles, chemilumiscent particles, and bioluminescent particles, and mixtures thereof.

248. The article of claim 245, wherein said luminescent agents comprise semiconducting or metallic materials.

249. The article of claim 245, wherein said luminescent agents comprise chemiluminescent agents.

250. The article of claim 244, further comprising color pigments.

251. The article of claim 244, further comprising fumed silica.

252. The article of claim 244, wherein the plasmonics agent comprises metal structures.

253. The article of claim 252, wherein the metal structures comprises at least one of nanospheres, nanorods, nanocubes, nanopyramids, nanoshells, multi-layer nanoshells, and combinations thereof.

254. The article of claim 244, wherein:

the energy modulation agent is disposed adjacent to at least one metal nanoparticle serving as the plasmonics agent;

the energy modulation agent is coated at least partially with a metal serving as the plasmonics agent;

or

the energy modulation agent includes a magnetic substance.

255. The article of claim 244, wherein:

a metal nanoparticle serving as the plasmonics agent is at least partially covered with the energy modulation agent;

or

the metal nanoparticle includes a magnetic substance.

256. The article of claim 244, wherein:

the plasmonics agent comprises a dielectric-metal nanocomposite;

or

the plasmonics agent comprises a plurality of differently sized metal nanoparticles disposed in vicinity of each other as a composite plasmonics agent.

257. The article of claim 244, wherein the energy modulation agent is configured to receive said initiation energy at a higher energy than that produced by the energy modulation agent, or at a lower energy than that produced by the energy modulation agent.

258. A radiation-curable article, comprising:

a radiation-curable medium; and

at least one energy modulation agent and at least one plasmonics agent distributed throughout the medium;

said energy modulation agent being a substance which is capable of converting initiation energy to a light capable of curing the radiation-curable medium by polymerization of polymers in the radiation-curable medium.

259. The article of claim 258, wherein said energy modulation agent comprises luminescent agents including at least one of a sulfide, a telluride, a selenide and an oxide semiconductor.

260. The article of claim 259, wherein the energy modulation agent comprises Y₂O₃;

ZnS;

ZnSe;

MgS;

CaS;

Mn, Er ZnSe;

Mn, Er MgS;

Mn, Er CaS;

Mn, Er ZnS;

Mn, Yb ZnSe;

Mn, Yb MgS;

Mn, Yb CaS;

Mn, Yb ZnS;

Tb³⁺, Er³⁺;

ZnS;

Tb³⁺;

Y₂O₃;

Tb³⁺;

Y₂O₃;

Tb³⁺, Er³⁺;

ZnS;

Mn²⁺;

ZnS;

Mn, Er³⁺.

261. The article of claim 259, wherein said luminescent agents comprise nanotubes, nanoparticles, chemilumiscent particles, and bioluminescent particles, and mixtures thereof.

262. The article of claim 259, wherein said luminescent agents comprise nanoparticles of semiconducting or metallic materials.

263. The article of claim 259, wherein said luminescent agents comprise chemiluminescent particles.

264. The article of claim 258, further comprising color pigments.

265. The article of claim 258, further comprising fumed silica.

266. The article of claim 258, wherein the plasmonics agent comprises metal structures.

267. The article of claim 266, wherein the metal structures comprises at least one of nanospheres, nanorods, nanocubes, nanopyramids, nanoshells, multi-layer nanoshells, and combinations thereof.

268. The article of claim 258, wherein:

the energy modulation agent is disposed adjacent to at least one metal nanoparticle serving as the plasmonics agent;

the energy modulation agent is coated at least partially with a metal serving as the plasmonics agent;

or

the energy modulation agent includes a magnetic substance.

269. The article of claim 258, wherein:

a metal nanoparticle serving as the plasmonics agent is at least partially covered with the energy modulation agent;

or

the metal nanoparticle includes a magnetic substance.

270. The article of claim 258, wherein:

the plasmonics agent comprises a dielectric-metal nanocomposite;

or

the plasmonics agent comprises a plurality of differently sized metal nanoparticles disposed in vicinity of each other as a composite plasmonics agent.

271. The article of claim 258, wherein the energy modulation agent is configured to receive said initiation energy at a higher energy than that produced by the energy modulation agent or at a lower energy than that produced by the energy modulation agent.

272. A sterilization system, comprising:

an initiation energy source configured to apply initiation energy to a medium to be sterilized; and

plasmonics agents disposed in a vicinity of the medium, said plasmonics agent is configured to enhance or modify an energy being transmitted in a vicinity of the plasmonics agent,

wherein the initiation energy interacts with the plasmonics agent to directly or indirectly sterilize the medium.

273. The system of claim 272, further comprising encapsulated structures including the plasmonics agents.

274. The system of claim 273, wherein the encapsulated structures comprise:

a fluidized bed;

re-entrant structures extending into a container holding said medium;

or

interior walls of a container holding said medium.

275. The system of claim 273, wherein the encapsulated structures comprise energy modulation agents encapsulated with a passivation layer.

276. The system of claim 273, wherein the encapsulated structures include sealed tubes including the plasmonics agents.

277. The system of claim 273, wherein the encapsulated structures include sealed tubes having the plasmonics agents disposed on an outside of the sealed tube.

278. The system of claim 272, wherein the plasmonics agents comprise metal structures.

279. The system of claim 278, wherein the metal structures comprises at least one of nanospheres, nanorods, nanocubes, nanopyramids, nanoshells, multi-layer nanoshells, and combinations thereof.

280. The system of claim 272, wherein:

an energy modulation agent is disposed adjacent at least one metal nanoparticle serving as the plasmonics agent;

the energy modulation agent is coated at least partially with a metal serving as the plasmonics agent;

the energy modulation agent includes a magnetic substance;

or

the energy modulation agent includes a chemical or biological receptor.

281. The system of claim 272, wherein:

a metal nanoparticle serving as the plasmonics agent is at least partially covered with the energy modulation agent;

the metal nanoparticle includes a magnetic substance;

or

the metal nanoparticle includes a chemical or biological receptor.

282. The system of claim 272, wherein:

the plasmonics agent comprises a dielectric-metal nanocomposite;

or

the plasmonics agent comprises a plurality of differently sized metal nanoparticles disposed in the vicinity of each other as a composite plasmonics agent.

283. The system of claim 272, wherein the initiation energy is at a higher energy than that produced by an energy modulation agent or is at a lower energy than that produced by the energy modulation agent.

284. The system of claim 272, further comprising an energy modulation agent including at least one of a sulfide, a telluride, a selenide and an oxide semiconductor.

285. The system of claim 284, wherein the energy modulation agent comprises Y₂O₃;

ZnS;

ZnSe;

MgS;

CaS;

Mn, Er ZnSe;

Mn, Er MgS;

Mn, Er CaS;

Mn, Er ZnS;

Mn, Yb ZnSe;

Mn, Yb MgS;

Mn, Yb CaS;

Mn, Yb ZnS;

Tb³⁺, Er³⁺;

ZnS;

Tb³⁺;

Y₂O₃;

Tb³⁺;

Y₂O₃;

Tb³⁺, Er³⁺;

ZnS;

Mn²⁺;

ZnS;

Mn, Er³⁺.

286. The system of claim 272, further comprising an activatable agent included in the medium and selected from psoralens, pyrene cholesteryloleate, acridine, porphyrin, fluorescein, rhodamine, 16-diazorcortisone, ethidium, transition metal complexes of bleomycin, transition metal complexes of deglycobleomycin organoplatinum complexes, alloxazines, vitamin Ks, vitamin L, vitamin metabolites, vitamin precursors, naphthoquinones, naphthalenes, naphthols and derivatives thereof having planar molecular conformations, porphorinporphyrins, dyes and phenothiazine derivatives, coumarins, quinolones, quinones, and anthroquinones.

287. The system of claim 286, wherein the activatable agent comprises a psoralen, a coumarin, or a derivative thereof.

288. The system of claim 287, wherein at least one of a cancer cell, a tumor cell, an autoimmune deficiency symptom virus, or a blood-borne germicide is treated by the psoralen, the coumarin, or the derivative thereof.

289. The system of claim 272, further comprising a container which receives and transmits the initiation energy is configured to hold at least one of:

blood products or food products for sterilization;

or

the fluids or the food products for pasteurization.

290. The system of claim 272, further comprising sealed tubes transmitting light from the initiation energy source into the medium to be sterilized.

291. The system of claim 290, wherein the plasmonics agents are disposed on a side of the sealed tube in contact with the medium.

292. The system of claim 290, wherein the initiation energy source comprises a UV light source.

293. The system of claim 290, wherein the initiation energy source comprises a broad band light source.

294. The system of claim 272, further comprising energy modulation agents included in a vicinity of the medium, wherein

the initiation energy source comprises a source producing at least one of x-rays, gamma rays, an electron beam, UV radiation, visible light, infrared radiation, microwaves, chemical energy, or radio waves, and

the energy modulation agents convert energy from the initiation energy source into a sterilization light.

295. The system of claim 272, further comprising energy modulation agents included in a vicinity of the medium, wherein

the initiation energy source comprises a source producing at least one of x-rays, gamma rays, an electron beam, UV radiation, visible light, infrared radiation, microwaves, chemical energy, or radio waves;

and

the energy modulation agents convert energy from the initiation energy source into a light which activates at least one photactivatable agent contained in the medium to be sterilized.

296. The system of claim 295, wherein the at least one photoactivatable agent is selected from psoralens, pyrene cholesteryloleate, acridine, porphyrin, fluorescein, rhodamine, 16-diazorcortisone, ethidium, transition metal complexes of bleomycin, transition metal complexes of deglycobleomycin organoplatinum complexes, alloxazines, vitamin Ks, vitamin L, vitamin metabolites, vitamin precursors, naphthoquinones, naphthalenes, naphthols and derivatives thereof having planar molecular conformations, porphorinporphyrins, dyes and phenothiazine derivatives, coumarins, quinolones, quinones, and anthroquinones.

297. The system of claim 272, further comprising a magnetic mechanism configured to provide to the medium or collect from the medium the plasmonics agents.

298. A method for producing a change in a medium, wherein the medium is not contained in a container, comprising:

(1) placing in a vicinity of the medium at least one of a plasmonics agent and an energy modulation agent, said energy modulation agent is configured to emit light into the medium upon interaction with an initiation energy; and

(2) applying the initiation energy from an energy source to the medium,

wherein the applied initiation energy interacts with the plasmonics agent or the energy modulation agent to directly or indirectly produce the change in the medium.

299. A method for producing a change in a medium, wherein the medium is not contained in a container, comprising:

(1) placing in the vicinity in the medium a plasmonics agent and an activatable agent which produce a change in the medium when activated, said plasmonics agent is configured to enhance or modify an energy being transmitted in a vicinity of the plasmonics agent; and

(2) applying an initiation energy from an energy source to the medium,

wherein the initiation energy interacts with the plasmonics agent or the activatable agent to directly or indirectly produce the change in the medium.

300. A system for producing a change in a medium, wherein the medium is not contained in a container, comprising:

a mechanism configured to provide to the medium

     1) an activatable agent and

     2) at least one of a plasmonics agent and an energy modulation agent, said energy modulation agent is configured to emit light into the medium upon interaction with an initiation energy, and said plasmonics agent is configured to enhance or modify an energy being transmitted in a vicinity of the plasmonics agent; and

an initiation energy source configured to apply the initiation energy to the medium,

wherein the initiation energy interacts with the plasmonics agent or the energy modulation agent to directly or indirectly produce the change in the medium.

301. A system for producing a change in a medium, wherein the medium is not contained in a container, comprising:

a mechanism configured to provide to the medium a plasmonics agent, said plasmonics agent is configured to enhance or modify an energy being transmitted in a vicinity of the plasmonics agent; and

an initiation energy source configured to apply initiation energy to the medium,

wherein the initiation energy interacts with the plasmonics agent to directly or indirectly produce the change in the medium.

302. A system for producing a photo-stimulated change to a medium, wherein the medium is not contained in a container, comprising:

a mechanism configured to provide to the medium at least one of an energy modulation agent and a plasmonics agent, said energy modulation agent is configured to emit light into the medium upon interaction with an initiation energy, said plasmonics agent is configured to enhance or modify an energy being transmitted in a vicinity of the plasmonics agent; and

an initiation energy source configured to apply the initiation energy to the medium,

wherein the initiation energy interacts with the plasmonics agent or the energy modulation agent to directly or indirectly produce the photo-stimulated change.

303. A method for producing a patterned element inside a structure, comprising:

(1) placing inside the structure a radiation curable medium including at least one of a plasmonics agent and an energy modulation agent, said energy modulation agent is configured to emit light into the medium upon interaction with an initiation energy; and

(2) applying to the medium said initiation energy from a directed or focused energy source,

wherein the applied initiation energy interacts with the plasmonics agent or the energy modulation agent to generate light at local regions inside the structure to cure locally the radiation curable medium.

304. The method of claim 303, wherein the applying forms for the patterned element a plug to close a hole or pathway in the structure.

305. The method of claim 303, wherein the applying forms the plug in at least one of a building material, a man-made or natural underground storage tank, or an internal organ in a human or animal body,

306. The method of claim 305, wherein the applying forms for the patterned element a prosthetic device in the human or animal body.

307. The method of claim 303, further comprising:

placing in the radiation curable medium optically dense materials to reduce propagation of the generated light from the point of generation.