US Patent 7429369 - Manufacture of silicon nanoparticle nanotubes

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7429369.html

This patent from the University of Illinois describes a manufacturing procedure for a new type of nanotube formed from individual silicon nanoparticles which may have some benefits to biomedical applications and flexible electronics. Claim 1 reads:

1. A method for forming silicon nanoparticle nanotubes, the method comprising steps of:

disposing a conductive or semiconductive substrate in a solution including a dispersion of silicon nanoparticles, said disposing being done in a manner to avoid a meniscus being formed on a surface of the substrate; disposing a thick electrode opposite the surface of the substrate;

applying electrical potential between the substrate and the thick electrode; maintaining the electrical potential between the substrate and the thick electrode to form a thin film of silicon nanoparticles on the substrate; and

drying the thin film to induce it to roll into a silicon nanoparticle nanotube;

wherein the area and thickness of the thin film is such that a diameter of the silicon nanoparticle nanotube is at least about 100 times greater than the thickness of the thin film.

US Patent 7429219 - nanocrystalline rust resistant coating for golf club head

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7429219.html

This patent from Nelson Precision Casting teaches that nanostructured Fe-Co-Ni is particularly useful for protecting the rough surface of golf club heads from rust. Claim 1 reads:

1. A golf club head having a rust-resistant coating, comprising:

at least one club head component having a prepared surface; and

a rust-resistant coating layer forming on the prepared surface of the club head component, said rust-resistant coating layer made from a Fe—Co—Ni alloy including iron of 5-20 wt %, cobalt of 5-25 wt % and nickel of 60-90 wt %;

wherein said rust-resistant coating layer is formed with a nano-crystalline structure of the Fe—Co—Ni alloy.

US Patent 7428562 - Self authenticating quantum random number generator

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7428562.html

Random number generators are important to applications in cryptography and modeling of probabilistic phenomena (e.g. weather, stock market). Many computer algorithms using random numbers are actually based on pseudorandom number generators which may ultimately be reproducible and non-ideal for some modeling. This patent from Hewlett Packard teaches a method using an entangled quantum system to generate a true random sequence. Claim 1 reads:

1. A method for generating a random series, comprising:

generating an entangled quantum state of a first system and a second system;

measuring the first system and the second system;

determining a random value from a result of measurement of one of the first system and the second system; and

evaluating results from measurements of both of the first system and the second system to determine whether the results are consistent with the first and second systems being in the entangled state.

US Patent 7428138 - CNT array capacitor plates

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7428138.html

This is one of a series of patents from Intel focusing on using the high surface to volume ratio of carbon nanotubes to achieve high value capacitors. Claim 1 reads:

1. A capacitor comprising:

a first substrate including a plurality of carbon nanotubes to form a first capacitor plate adapted to be coupled to a first potential; and

a second substrate including a plurality of carbon nanotubes to form a second capacitor plate, adapted to be coupled to a second potential opposite to the first potential, intermeshed with said nanotubes on the first substrate.

US Patent 7427785 - Zinc oxide nanowire contact layer for LED

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7427785.html

Transparent electrodes such as indium-tin-oxide are important to optoelectronic applications and are required to have both good optical transparency and electrical conductivity. This patent from Samsung teaches using high aspect ration nanostructures formed from zinc oxide as an improved transparent electrode material fro LEDs. Claim 1 reads:

1. A light emitting device comprising:

an n-type cladding layer;

a p-type cladding layer;

an active layer interposed between the n-type cladding layer and the p-type cladding layer; and

an ohmic contact layer contacting the p-type cladding layer or the n-type cladding layer and comprising a first film that comprises a transparent conductive zinc oxide having a one-dimensional nano structure, wherein the one-dimensional nano structure is at least one selected from a nano-column, a nano rod, and a nano wire.

US Patent 7427772 - Periodic nanocrystal LED

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7427772.html

Nanocrystalline based LEDs offer the advantage of higher extraction efficiencies than conventional LEDs but can also have fabrication defects leading to higher resistances and inferior electrical properties. This patent teaches the formation of a periodic nanocrystal structure with fewer defect and less material stress. Claim 1 reads:

1. A semiconductor light emitting device substrate comprised of a single crystal material and having a nanocrystal structure disposed thereon capable of diffracting an electromagnetic wave, wherein a material of the nanocrystal structure is the same as the single crystal material, the nanocrystal structure comprises an etched region and an unetched region, wherein the etched region has a depth of 10-200 nm, and the nanocrystal structure comprises a periodic structure comprising a plurality of crystals with a size of 100-900 nm.

US Patent 7427754 - Random telegraph signal nanoMOS probe

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7427754.html

This patent from the University of California System teaches a new type of microscopy probe based on carbon nanotubes capable of inspecting for molecular or atomic defects in nanoelectronic devices. Claim 1 reads:

1. A microscopy probe comprising:

a substantially defect-free dielectric material having a first side and a second side;

a first electrode and a second electrode disposed on a first side of the substantially defect-free dielectric material;

a third electrode and a fourth electrode disposed on the first side of the substantially defect-free dielectric material;

a first nanotube connecting the first electrode to the second electrode, the nanotube having a tip portion and a second nanotube connecting the third electrode to the fourth electrode, the second nanotube having a tip portion; and

a gate electrode disposed on a second side of the substantially defect-free dielectric material.

US Patent 7427541 - CNT energy well FET

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7427541.html

This patent from Intel teaches a method of forming a carbon nanotube transistor with less leakage current. Claim 1 reads:

1. A method, comprising:

creating a structure to form an energy well within a Carbon nanotube by placing a Carbon nanotube on a doped semiconductor region;

forming an undoped semiconductor region over said Carbon nanotube; and

delta doping said undoped semiconductor region above a first portion of said Carbon nanotube.

US Patent 7427527 - MEMS alignment using solder reflow

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7427527.html

The integration of different MEMS devices together requires careful alignment critical to such applications as optical switching arrays. This patent from Surfect Technologies teaches a new technique using magnetic fields to manipulate solder used in the alignment of MEMS. Claim 1 reads:

1. A method for aligning one or more MEMS devices, the method comprising the steps of:

depositing solder comprising ferromagnetic particles on a first MEMS device;

disposing the first MEMS device on a stage;

reflowing the solder;

placing a second MEMS device adjacent to the solder;

modifying a distribution of the particles in the solder, thereby moving the second MEMS device relative to the first MEMS device;

measuring the relative alignment of the MEMS devices; and

solidifying the solder when the desired relative alignment is achieved.

US Patent 7427491 - Polymer biosensor including sensing and transducing nanoparticles

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7427491.html

This patent from Roche Diagnostics teaches a new type of biosensor which uses a single rather than multi-layer structure formed from analyte recognition nanoparticles doped with a luminescent dye and transduction nanoparticles conjugated with an oxidative enzyme. Claim 1 reads:

1. A sensor comprising:

a polymer layer, said polymer layer comprising recognizing and transducing properties,

wherein said recognizing properties are provided by a recognizing component, said transducing properties are provided by a transducer, and said recognizing component and said transducer are contained in one or more solid or semi-solid nanoparticles,

wherein said nanoparticles have a mean diameter of between about 10 and 500 nm and wherein said nanoparticles are embedded in said polymer layer.

US Patent 7427328 - Nanowire solution deposition using electrostatic attraction

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7427328.html

This patent from Nanosys teaches a system for applying a solution of nanowires to a substrate which can be used to form electronic devices on plastic or other flexible substrates. Claim 1 reads:

1. A system for applying nanowires to a target surface, comprising:

a solution source that provides a nanowire solution, wherein said nanowire solution comprises a liquid containing a plurality of nanowires, wherein the plurality of nanowires comprise silicon having an oxide coating and which have a first negative charge;

a nozzle coupled to said solution source, wherein said nozzle has at least one output opening; and

a target surface comprising a charged material having a second charge which is opposite to said first charge, which second charge aids in attracting the nanowires from the nanowire solution to the target surface;

wherein said nozzle directs the nanowire solution through said at least one output opening onto the target surface.

US Patent 7426873 - MEMS pressure sensors for footwear

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7426873.html

This patent from Sandia teaches a system for measuring the gait of human movement by embedding micromechanical sensors in footwear. The patent specification describes applications as part of a robotic exoskeleton (BLEEX). Another potential application is as a video game controller (such as a Wii controller for your feet). Claim 1 reads:

1. Footwear comprising:

a sole; and

a plurality of sealed cavities contained within the sole; and,

a plurality of micro electro-mechanical system (MEMS) pressure sensors respectively contained within the sealed cavity plurality.

US Patent 7426416 - MEMS sensor array noise reduction

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7426416.html

This patent from IBM teaches a noise reduction methodology for MEMS sensor arrays. Claim 1 reads:

1. A method of reducing noise in a MEMs-based system, comprising:

providing a sensor array including at least two sensors; and

ensemble averaging outputs of said sensor array, wherein said ensemble averaging reduces an effective sensor noise to (σ/sqrt(N)), where N is a number of sensors of said at least two sensors.

US Patent 7426067 - Atomic layer deposition on MEMS

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7426067.html

This patent from the University of Colorodo teaches a method of coating a MEMS structure using atomic layer deposition which allows for the creation of nanometer scale layers adding propertes such as wear-resistance, electrical insulation, thermal conductivity, hydrophobicity, biocompatibility, and reflectivity to micromechanical structures. Claim 1 reads:

1. A method comprising:

providing a micro-mechanical device having dimensions smaller than one millimeter and a moving mechanical component; and

depositing at least one layer over of the micro-mechanical device by atomic layer deposition wherein said layer is deposited by sequentially exposing the micro-mechanical device to a first reactant and a second reactant, and said layer is a reaction product of the first and second reactant.

US Patent 7426025 - Lasing nanostructures for Raman Spectroscopy

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7426025.html

Raman spectroscopy is a popular methodology for molecular analysis. Typically an external laser is used in technique but this patent from Hewlett Packard teaches using nanowire laser arrays on which the molecules under study are placed adjacent the nanowire array. Claim 1 reads:

1. A nanostructure configured to enhance the intensity of Raman scattered radiation scattered by an analyte, the nanostructure comprising:

a substantially planar substrate;

a plurality of nanoparticles extending in a substantially perpendicular direction from a surface of the substantially planar substrate, each nanoparticle of the plurality of nanoparticles being configured to emit lased radiation from a top surface thereof upon stimulation of the nanoparticle; and

a Raman-enhancing material disposed on at least a portion of at least one nanoparticle.

US Patent 7425715 - Digital e-beam lithography stamp

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7425715.html

Electron beam lithography is capable of nanometer scale resolution but typically uses a single beam to pattern and is thus too slow for use in mass production of semiconductor devices. This patent teaches a large array of electron generating nanotips controlled to generate a digital lithographic pattern for a higher throughput. Claim 1 reads:

1. A Digital Parallel Electron Beam Lithography Stamp (PEBLS) apparatus comprising:

a substrate with a first side and a second side;

a first array of parallel wires oriented in a first direction formed on the first side of the substrate;

an array of lithographic nanotips capable of electron emission formed above the first wires and oriented substantially normal to the first side of the substrate;

a second array of parallel wires formed above the array of lithographic nanotips and oriented in a second direction at an angle crossing with the first direction, wherein electron emission regions are formed between the wires in the array of second parallel wires;

a control unit arranged to selectively address the electron emission regions in order to generate a lithographic pattern with the array of nanotips;

a cell that forms an enclosing space on the first side of the substrate around the lithographic nanotips; and

a target to which the lithographic pattern is transferred.

US Patent 7425582 - Stable dispersion using surface modified nanoparticles

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7425582.html

Dispersants are an ingredient to control phase separation between a a mixed phase dispersion. This patent from 3M teaches using surface-modified organic nanoparticles as an improved dispersant for a dispersion. Claim 1 reads:

1. A stable dispersion comprising:

a continuous phase comprising a continuous liquid phase and a plurality of excipient surface-modified organic nanoparticles; and

a dispersed phase comprising one or more medicament particles dispersed in the continuous phase, wherein the dispersion comprises less than 0.001 percent by weight of surfactant, surface-active agents, detergents, and conventional dispersants.

US Patent 7425487 - Nanoelement FET fabrication

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7425487.html

Due to the expected difficulty in extending nanofabrication to sub-22 nm dimensions there is an increased interest from companies such as Infineon and Samsung in forming nanowires or nanotubes as channel elements for post-2012 FETs. This latest patent is from Qimonda a spin-off from Infineon focused on DRAM technology. Claim 1 reads:

1. A method for fabricating a nanoelement field effect transistor, the method comprising:

applying a nanoelement to a substrate;

forming a first source/drain region on and/or in the substrate, the first source/drain region being coupled to a first end portion of the nanoelement;

forming a second source/drain region on and/or in the substrate, the second source/drain region being coupled to a second end portion of the nanoelement;

removing a surface region of the substrate in such a manner that a region of the nanoelement arranged between the first and second end portions is uncovered over the entire periphery of the nanoelement;

forming a gate-insulating structure so as to cover the whole of the uncovered periphery of the nanoelement; and

forming a gate structure so as to cover the entire periphery of the gate-insulating structure.

US Patent 7425368 - Nanotube filler for polymer orientation

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7425368.html

This patent from M.I.T. teaches the use of carbon nanotube or nanofiber filler to enhance the orientation of molecular structures in spun polymer fibers to create stronger materials such as improved Kevlar. Claim 1 reads:

1. Filler-enhanced polymeric fiber comprising:

a polymeric fiber; and

high aspect ratio filler particles dispersed within the polymeric fiber and in intimate contact during processing with the polymeric fiber, the filler particles, having an interfiber spacing of less than 350 nanometers, serving as templates to orient the molecular structure of the polymer fiber to enhance fiber mechanical properties.

However, some relevant prior art may have been overlooked such as the article "Electrospinning of Continuous Carbon Nanotube-Filled Nanofiber Yarns" published over a year prior to the priority date of this patent.

US Patent 7423287 - Measuring residual stress in MEMS

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7423287.html

During the manufacture of MEMS devices stress can develop along the movable microcomponents being fabricated. This patent from Qualcomm teaches providing several electrical connection portions in the MEMS structure designed to break based on predetermined stress levels in order to monitor the stress. Claim 1 reads:

1. A device for measuring residual stress of a deposited conductive material, comprising:

a microelectromechanical system (MEMS) including a material; and

a plurality of disconnectable electrical paths,

wherein said plurality of paths are configured to disconnect as a function of residual stress of the material.

US Patent 7423285 - 3D matrix reconfigurable logic

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7423285.html

A variety of companies including Hewlett-Packard and Nantero have been working on crossbar circuit architectures to achieve more efficient nanoelectronics in coming decades. This patent from Sharp teaches providing wires to interconnect planes of such crossbar switching architectures and extend their integration into three dimensions to form more compact reconfigurable logic architectures. Claim 1 reads:

1. A semiconductor integrated circuit comprising:

a plurality of semiconductor devices each comprising a matrix comprising a first wire which extends in a first direction and a second wire which extends in a second direction that is different from said first direction;

a wire that three-dimensionally connects the plurality of the semiconductor devices, and

wherein the first and second wires are each supported in a spaced apart manner so that in at least one of the semiconductor devices the first and second wires cross each other in mid-air in a gas-filled and/or vacuum area.

US Patent 7423084 - High tensile strength polyethylene fibers containing carbon nanotubes

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7423084.html

This patent from DSM IP Assets B.V. teaches a method for making higher tensile strength nanotube/polymer composites. Claim 1 reads:

1. Method of producing a high strength and high modulus elongated product comprising the steps of :

(a) making a composition comprising a semi-crystalline polymer and nanotubes,

(b) extruding said composition into an elongated product, and

(c) stretching the product below the melting point of the polymer,

wherein in step (a) the composition is a colloidal dispersion of nanotubes in a solution of the polymer.

15. Fibre containing a semi-crystalline polymer and nanotubes, wherein the fibre has a tensile strength of higher than 3.0 GPa, and wherein the semi-crystalline polymer is selected from the group consisting of polyesters, polyketones, polyvinyls and polyolefins.

US Patent 7422980 - Oriented nanowires as electrical interconnect

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7422980.html

This patent from Nanosys covers the fabrication of nanowire based sensors or electronics via nanowire deposition and orientation between closely spaced electrodes. Claim 1 reads:

1. A method of making a nanowire based device, comprising:

depositing a plurality of nanowires on at least a first region of a surface of a substrate; and

forming at least first and second electrical contacts on the first region of the surface of the substrate such that at least first and second nanowires of the plurality of nanowires are positioned in contact with both the first and second electrical contacts,

wherein the nanowires are made from a material selected from the group comprising Si, Ge, Sn, Se, Te, P, Si—C, Si—Ge, Si—Sn, Ge—Sn, SiC, AlN/AlP/AlAs/AlSb, GaN/GaP/GaAs/GaSb, InN/InP/InAs/InSb, AlN/AlP/AlAs/AlSb, GaN/GaP/GaAs/GaSb, InN/InP/InAs/InSb, ZnO/ZnS/ZnSe/ZnTe, CdS/CdSe/CdTe, HgS/HgSe/HgTe, BeS/BeSe/BeTe/MgS/MgSe, GeS, GeSe, GeTe, SnS, SnSe, SnTe, PbO, PbS, PbSe, PbTe, CuF, CuCl, CuBr, CuI, AgF, AgCl, AgBr, AgI, BeSiN2, CaCN2, ZnGeP2, CdSnAs2, ZnSnSb2, CuGeP3, CuSi2P3, (Cu, Ag)(Al, Ga, In, Tl, Fe)(S, Se, Te)2, Si3N4, Ge3N4, Al2O3, (Al, Ga, In)2(S, Se, Te)3, or Al2CO or alloys thereof,

wherein the first and second electrical contacts are separated from each other on the first surface of the substrate by a distance that is less than 50% of an average length of the first and second nanowires.

US Patent 7422922 - Photovoltaics formed with semiconductor nanoparticle electrodes

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7422922.html

This patent from Sony teaches a new manufacturing method for forming nanoparticle based solar cells having enhanced adhesiveness between the photovoltaic material and a substrate and better durability with respect to bending or expansion of the substrate. Claim 1 reads:

1. A method of manufacturing a photoelectric conversion device using a semiconductor electrode comprising semiconductor nanoparticles, the method comprising:

coating a paste containing a binder and semiconductor nanoparticles dispersed therein on a transparent conductive substrate; and

forming the semiconductor electrode by drying the paste, and thereafter pressing the paste to bond the semiconductor nanoparticles onto the transparent conductive substrate while heating it to a temperature in the range from 30° C. to a softening temperature of the transparent conductive substrate, wherein pressing the paste includes contacting the paste with a device suited for pressing.

US Patent 7420396 - Nanoparticle chain universal logic gate

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7420396.html

Knowmtech is a company exploring the possibilities of nanoparticle based materials to form neural networks and computational systems. This latest patent teaches a new type of reconfigurable computing logic based on self-assembling nanoparticle chains. Claim 1 reads:

1. A universal logic gate apparatus, comprising:

a plurality of self-assembling chains of nanoparticles having a plurality of resistive connections, wherein said plurality of self-assembling chains of nanoparticles comprise resistive connects utilized to create a universal, reconfigurable logic gate thereof; and

a plasticity mechanism based on a plasticity rule for creating stable connections from said plurality of self-assembling chains of nanoparticles for use with said universal, reconfigurable logic gate, wherein said plasticity mechanism is based on an input data stream, wherein said plasticity rule comprises a reproducible modification of a connection resistance in response to input and output electrode activity.

US Patent 7420199 - Vertical nanowire mem-resistor memory cell

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7420199.html

Earlier this year HP researchers announced the memristor as a possible candidate for future non-volatile memory designs. Memristors possess a variable resistance switching property which offer potential to replace transistors as Moore's Law becomes more difficult to fulfill. This patent from Infineon Technologies discloses a variation of memristance-type memory using a vertically oriented nanowire as a control electrode for the memristance material. Claim 1 reads:

1. An integrated circuit having a memory cell comprising:

a first electrode comprising a nanowire;

a second electrode; and

resistivity changing material between the first electrode and the second electrode, wherein a portion of the nanowire is laterally surrounded by the resistivity changing material.

US Patent 7420156 - Metal nanowire bandpass filter

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7420156.html

This patent from the University of Pittsburgh teaches the formation of a bandpass filter formed of nanowires useful to applications in spectrometry and analyte detection. Claim 1 reads:

1. A band pass filter comprising a metal nanowire array, wherein:

the array comprises a plurality of nanowires separated by slit shaped radiation transparent regions;

the nanowires comprise metal islands located over a radiation transparent substrate; and

the metal islands have a thickness of between 100 nm and 250 nm.

US Patent 7420106 - Dielectric film characterization using tunneling

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7420106.html

This patent from the University of Utah includes some broad claims covering he characterization of a dielectric surface via tunneling. Claim 1 reads:

1. A method of characterizing a dielectric surface by detecting tunneling events, the method comprising acts of:

applying a first voltage at a given location on the dielectric surface, the voltage being of a sufficient strength, and applied within a distance from the dielectric surface where tunneling events are likely to occur; and

detecting a tunneling event occurring as a result of applying the first voltage at the given location on the dielectric surface.

However, several examples of prior art seem to have been overlooked such as US Patent 4,575,822 teaching a voltage biased scanning tunneling tip (20) used for data detection via characterization of a dielectric layer (14).

US Patent 7419887 - Laser assisted nanodeposition

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7419887.html

This patent teaches a new type of nanofabrication process involving the focusing of a laser beam width to nanometer dimensions and using the laser to fuse nanoparticles deposited via a nanosize pore. Claim 1 reads:

1. The process of forming a nano structure on a substrate, comprising:

suspending nano particles in a suspension fluid;

applying a pressure to the suspension fluid for forcing the nano particles through a nano size pore onto the substrate;

directing a micrometer size laser beam through a concentrator for forming a nanometer size laser beam; and

directing the nano size laser beam onto the deposited nano particles on the substrate.

US Patent 7419764 - Nanoimprint mold fabrication using E-beam+photolihography

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7419764.html

In order to achieve sub-100 nm processing in coming years one alternative is nanoimprint lithography. Nanoimprint lithography uses a mold to transfer a pattern onto an opposing substrate. This patent from S. Korea's Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute teaches a method for forming a nanoimprint mold using photolithography to form the larger (>100nm) features and E-beam lithography to form the nanoscopic (<100nm) surface features. Claim 1 reads:

1. A method of fabricating a nanoimprint lithography (NHL) mold comprising:

forming patterns on a first substrate using an E-beam lithography (EBL) process and a photo-lithography process; and

transferring the patterns formed on the first substrate to a second substrate using a nanoimprint lithography process to complete an NIL mold.

US Patent 7419650 - Functionalized Short CNTs

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7419650.html

For applications in hydrogen storage and as molecular sieves short length (<1 micron) carbon nanotubes have been found to have advantages over longer tube lengths for the diffusion of gases. This patent discloses a method for producing such short length CNTs. Claim 1 reads:

1. A method for producing functionalised short carbon nanotubes with at least one open tip comprising mechanically treating long carbon nanotubes in a powder form, wherein a reactant gas able to chemically react with said long nanotubes is chosen and said long carbon nanotubes in a powder form are submitted to mechanical milling forces in the presence of said reactant gas so that short carbon nanotubes, comprising at least one specific chemical group, are obtained, and wherein said reactant gas is not air.

US Patents 7419624 + 7419651 - Fullerene nanotubes

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7419624.html
http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7419651.html

Many of the basic fabrication methods for single walled nanotube production have come from research out of Rice University. While most of Rice's patents have previously focused on the single walled carbon nanotube type, a recent set of issued patents based on continuations (with priority going back to the 1990's) have extended the patent coverage to "fullerene nanotubes" which may include double or multiwall nanotubes types that are being explored as field emitters and transparent electrodes in electronics and display applications.

US Patent 7419624 - Claims 1 and 3

1. A method of producing a composite material comprising fullerene nanotube material, wherein said fullerene nanotube material comprises fibers of fullerene nanotubes, and wherein said method comprises:
(a) preparing an assembly of a fibrous material;
(b) adding said fullerene nanotube material to said fibrous material; and
(c) adding a matrix material to said fullerene nanotube material and said fibrous material.

3. A composite material comprising fullerene nanotubes, a fibrous structural constituent and a matrix material, wherein the matrix material comprises a polymer and the fibrous structural constituent comprises carbon, and wherein the fullerene nanotubes comprise fullerene nanotube fibers.

(US Patent 7419651) Claims 1 and 13

1. A three-dimensional structure that self-assembles from derivatized fullerene nanotubes comprising: a plurality of multifunctional fullerene nanotubes assembled into said three-dimensional structure.

13. A structure formed by the process comprising:
(a) providing fullerene nanotubes derivatized with at least one functionally-specific agent;
(b) exposing the derivatized nanotubes to another moiety for which the functionally-specific agent has an attraction; and
(c) recovering assemblies formed by the derivatized nanotubes.

US Patent 7419616 - Fluidic switch using interlocking magnetic particles

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7419616.html

Magnetorheological fluids have the property of variable viscosity dependent on magnetic fields which is useful for flow control switches. This patent from GM teaches controlling the aspect ratios of the particles forming these fluids to maintain a high and stable on/off ratio for the flow. Claims 1 and 15 read:

1. A magnetorheological fluid composition comprising: a carrier fluid; and a plurality of low aspect ratio magnetizable particles with interlocking structures.

15. A magnetorheological fluid composition comprising: a carrier fluid; and a plurality of high aspect ratio magnetizable particles comprising interlocking structures.

US Patent 7419612 - Method of fabricating nanoporous polyimide film

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7419612.html

This patent teaches a method of making nanoporous films of polyimide which is capable of maintaining favorable properties over an extended temperature range. Claim 6 reads:

6. A method of creating pores of nanometric to micrometric size in a thin sheet of polyimide, in which the sheet is subjected to the steps comprising:

an ion bombardment;

a radiation in the visible range of a halogen light emitting at wavelengths of between 450 and 530 nm for a period of about 10 hours to one week; and

a chemical etching.

US Patent 7419601 - CNT nanomesh for fluid purification

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7419601.html

This patent from Seldon Technologies (priority March 7, 2003) includes some basic claims to an article using carbon nanotubes to form a mesh structure usable as a fluid purification filter. Claim 1 reads:

1. An article for removing contaminants from a fluid, said article comprising carbon nanotubes, at least one of which comprises at least one molecule or cluster attached thereto or located therein, wherein the carbon nanotubes are present in the article in an amount sufficient to reduce the concentration of contaminants in fluid that comes into contact with the article and are in the form of an assembled nanomesh in which the carbon nanotubes are connected or attached to other carbon nanotubes, to fibers, to particles, or any combination thereof.

US Patent 7418283 - Quantum computation via monitored Hamiltonian transformation

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7418283.html

D-Wave is a company attempting to make quantum computation a reality. This latest patent seems to include some basic claims to quantum computation by monitoring the state of a Hamiltonian (math expression for energy state) describing superconducting qubits under adiabatic conditions. Claim 1 reads:

1. A method for adiabatic quantum computing using a quantum system comprising a plurality of superconducting qubits, wherein the quantum system is capable of being in any one of at least two quantum configurations at any given time, the at least two quantum configurations comprising:

a first configuration described by an initialization Hamiltonian HO; and

a second configuration described by a problem Hamiltonian HP having a ground state, the method comprising:

A) initializing the quantum system to the first configuration;

B) adiabatically changing the quantum system until it is described by the ground state of the problem Hamiltonian HP; and

C) reading out a state of the quantum system.

US Patent 7417511 - MEMS-based spread spectrum clock generation

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7417511.html

This patent from Lexmark includes some broad claims on the use of microelectromechanical circuits to generate spread spectrum clock signals. Claim 1 reads:

1. A spread spectrum clock generation (SSCG) circuit comprising a MEMS based circuit having a plurality of circuit components configured to generate a spread spectrum clocking signal based on a modulation of a resonant frequency of said MEMS based circuit and an output coupled to at least one of said circuit components to supply said spread spectrum clocking signal.