Molecular discriminators using carbon nanotubes

1. A method comprising:

contacting, in the solid state, a sample comprising a first organic molecule with a composition comprising a carbon nanotube, such that an interface forms between the sample and the composition;

observing any movement of the interface; and

characterizing the first organic molecule based on the observed movement.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first organic molecule is a lipid.

3. The method of claim 2 , wherein the lipid comprises a linear hydrophobic group.

4. The method of claim 2 , wherein the lipid comprises a branched hydrophobic group.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first organic molecule is a phospholipid, glycolipid, sphingolipid, steroid, or a combination of any two or more thereof.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the carbon nanotube is a single wall carbon nanotube.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the carbon nanotube is a multiwall carbon nanotube.

8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the carbon nanotube is not chemically functionalized prior to contact with the sample.

9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the contacting comprises contacting the sample with the composition at room temperature.

10. The method of claim 1 , wherein the contacting comprises contacting the sample with the composition at about 1 atmosphere pressure.

11. The method of claim 1 , wherein observing any movement comprises observing the movement of the interface via optical microscopy, fluorescence microscopy, Raman microscopy, infra-red imaging, thermal imaging, or a combination of any two or more thereof.

12. The method of claim 1 , wherein observing any movement comprises observing the rate of the movement of the interface.

13. The method of claim 1 , wherein observing any movement of the interface comprises observing the composition moving towards the first organic molecule.

14. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

contacting, in the solid state, a second sample comprising a second organic molecule with a composition comprising a carbon nanotube, such that a second interface forms between the second sample and the composition;

observing any movement of the second interface; and

distinguishing the second organic molecule from the first organic molecule based on observations of the movements associated with the respective interfaces.

15. A method comprising:

contacting, in the solid state, a sample comprising at least one of (i) an amphiphilic organic molecule and (ii) a non-amphiphilic organic molecule with a composition comprising a carbon nanotube, such that an interface forms between the sample and the composition;

observing any movement of the interface; and

characterizing at least one of the amphiphilic organic molecule and the non-amphiphilic organic molecule based on the observed movement.

16. The method of claim 15 , wherein observing any movement comprises observing diffusion of at least one of (i) the amphiphilic or non-amphiphilic organic molecule and (ii) the composition.

17. The method of claim 15 , wherein the amphiphilic or non-amphiphilic organic molecule is lecithin, dipalmitoyl phosphatidylcholine (DPPC), sphingomyelins, or sphingosine.

18. The method of claim 15 , wherein observing any movement of the interface comprises observing by fluorescence spectroscopy.

19. The method of claim 18 , wherein the observing by fluorescence spectroscopy comprises observing the interface by fluorescence spectroscopy wherein the amphiphilic or non-amphiphilic organic molecule and the composition not at the interface are substantially free of fluorescence.

20. The method of claim 15 , wherein the interface exhibits quantum confinement.

21. The method of claim 15 , wherein the carbon nanotube has a diameter of about 2 to about 3 nm.