US Patent 7815973 - Condensed phase conversion and growth of nanorods

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7815973.html

This patent from UT-Battelle has priority going back to 1999 and includes some basic claims to condensed phase conversion used to fabricate nanotubes or nanowires. Claim 1 reads:

1. A method, comprising:

depositing a condensed phase matrix material comprising a plurality of particles;

activating said condensed phase matrix material after the depositing, the condensed phase matrix material not being vaporized during the activating thereof; and

forming a plurality of nanorods by condensed phase conversion and growth from the condensed phase matrix material instead of from vapor.