Thursday, July 29, 2010

US Patent 7764416 - Nanoparticle electrochromic display

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7764416.html

Electrochromic materials have color-changing properties based on electrically induced chemical processes. This patent from 3M teaches how nanoparticles can be used to enhance the uniformity of electrochromic films. Claim 1 reads:

1. An electrode comprising:

a substrate having a first and a second surface;

a conductive layer;

a multilayer structure comprising alternating layers of at least one polymer layer and at least one layer comprising a dispersion of electroactive chemical bound nanoparticle;

wherein the conductive layer is disposed on the second surface of the substrate, and the multilayer structure is disposed on the conductive layer.

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US Patent 7764004 - Bent nanostructure clumps

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7764004.html

This patent from Alcatel-Lucent teaches a manufacturing technique for tunable nanostructured clumps which may be used in various applications including diffraction gratings and diagnostics of biological cells. Claim 1 reads:

1. An apparatus, comprising:

a substrate having a surface;

a plurality of nanostructures each having a first end and a second end,

wherein the first end of each of the plurality of nanostructures is attached to the surface; and

wherein at least a portion of the second ends of the plurality of nanostructures are bent toward one another to form two or more similarly configured clumps, each of the two or more similarly configured clumps including two or more nanostructures.

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US Patent 7763978 - 3D nanowire crossbar array

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7763978.html

For the past 10 years researchers at HPLabs have been developing nanowire circuit fabrics based on crossbar arrays fabricated by nanoimprint lithography. This latest patent teaches a three-dimensional nanowire crossbar design which may allow for 3D ultradense non-volatile memory. Claim 1 reads:

1. A configurable three-dimensional crossbar array system comprising:

a plurality of crossbar arrays, each crossbar array includes a first layer of nanowires, a second layer of nanowires overlaying the first layer of nanowires, a third layer of nanowires overlaying the second layer of nanowires, and a crossbar junction located at an intersection of three overlaying nanowires;

a first demultiplexer configured to address at least a portion of the nanowires in the first layer of nanowires of each crossbar array;

a second demultiplexer configured to address at least a portion of the nanowires in the second layer of nanowires of each crossbar array; and

a third demultiplexer configured to supply a signal to at least a portion of the nanowires in the third layer of nanowires of each crossbar array.

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Wednesday, July 28, 2010

US Patent 7763885 - Organic thin film transistor having surface modified CNTs

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7763885.html

In organic transistors high contact resistances can result in an increase in driving voltages and inefficient operation. This patent from Samsung teaches how surface-modified carbon nanotubes can be used to alleviate this problem. Claim 1 reads:

1. A transistor structure comprising:

an organic semiconductor layer including surface-modified carbon nanotubes and an electrically-conductive polymer,

wherein the surface-modified carbon nanotubes have surfaces modified with a curable functional group, the curable functional group being directly bound to the carbon nanotubes through an oxygen atom of the curable functional group.

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US Patent 7763880 - Memristive transistor

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7763880.html

The original "memristor" proposed by Leon Chua in 1971 was a 2-terminal device which retained a memory of past currents based on the resistance (i.e. memory resistor). HP researchers received much attention in 2008 for disclosing a nanoscale version of the memristor based on ionic drift in thin film metal oxides. This patent from HP describes a related structure which integrates the memristive structure with a field effect transistor structure. Claim 1 reads:

1. A multi-terminal switch comprising:

a source electrode;

a drain electrode;

a gate electrode; and

an active region comprising at least one primary active region comprising at least one material for transporting and hosting ions that act as dopants to control the flow of electrons through the switch, and a secondary active region comprising at least one material for providing a source/sink of ionic dopants for said at least one primary active region, wherein the source electrode and drain electrode are physically connected to the primary active region and wherein the gate electrode is physically connected to the secondary active region.

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US Patent 7763530 - Nanoparticle doping with ionic salts

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7763530.html

Thermal diffusion and ion implantation are common techniques used to dope semiconductor materials and produce solid state electronic devices. However, bulk doping techniques are less efficiently applied to nanoparticle semiconductors. This patent from the University of Cape Town teaches a method using ionic salts which may prove more efficient in doping of nanoparticles. Claim 1 reads:

1. A method of doping semiconductor particles to change the carrier concentration and/or type of the semi-conductor material, the method comprising

mixing a quantity of semiconductor particles, having a particle size in the range 1 nm to 100 μm, with an ionic salt or a preparation of ionic salts, so that each semiconductor particle as a whole is doped by adsorption or absorption of one or more ionic species of the ionic salt preparation of ionic salts.

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Tuesday, July 27, 2010

US Patent 7763362 - Metallic nanoparticle shielding

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7763362.html

This patent is from a company called PChem Associates and teaches a printed circuit shielding film for EMI interference based on metal nanoparticles. The film can be applied to a wider variety of substrates than conventional electronic shielding films due to less harsh processing methods and might be suitable for plastic or flexible electronic substrates. Claim 1 reads:

1. A cohesive metallic shielding structure, comprising:

a population of metallic nanoparticles, deposited on a substrate and sintered to form a cohesive metallic shielding structure,

wherein the cohesive metallic shielding structure has a characteristic thickness of less than about 20 micrometers; and

wherein the cohesive metallic shielding structure has a sheet resistance less than about 50 mohms/square/mil.

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US Patent 7763187 - CNT reinforced silver ink

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7763187.html

This patent from Oceanit Labs teaches improved adhesive conductive inks for use in printed circuit fabrication which incorporate carbon nanomaterials. Claim 1 reads:

1. A conductive silver ink material, comprising:

a conductive ink having silver flake particles, a polymer and a solvent, and

a reinforcement and conductive material having at least one dimension of about 100 nm or less dispersed within the conductive ink,

wherein the silver content is 2% to 95% on the basis of the weight of the conductive silver ink material,

wherein the solvent is volatile,

wherein the reinforcement material comprises at least one nanoparticle selected from the group consisting of carbon nanotubes, buckyballs, and graphene,

wherein the reinforcement material is present in a concentration between approximately 0.00001% to 80% on the basis of the weight of the conductive silver ink material so as to improve strength, toughness and higher electrical conductivity and lower thermal resistance, resulting in improved mechanical, electrical and thermal properties of the material.

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US Patent 7762638 - Hydrophobic barrier for microfluidic channels

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7762638.html

Over the past decade NanoInk has developed Dip Pen Nanolithography® for applications in maskless nanolithography and bioassays. This is their latest patent specifying a system of ink wells for scanning probe tips which minimize cross-contamination. Claim 1 reads:

1. A microfluidic device comprising:

a substrate comprising a surface and a plurality of microchannels which are hydrophilicly surface treated, and

at least one hydrophobic barrier layer on the surface between the microchannels which prevents cross contamination between the plurality of microchannels when liquid flows through the microchannels,

wherein the hydrophobic barrier layer is a polymeric layer.

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Thursday, July 22, 2010

US Patent 7759780 - Microelectronic package with nanomaterial wear resistant coating

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7759780.html

In order to improve the scratch and abrasion resistance of IC packaging this patent from Intel teaches using a variety of nanomaterial films as protective coatings. Claim 1 reads:

1. A microelectronic package, comprising:

a semiconductor substrate;

a die having a top surface and a bottom surface, wherein the bottom surface of the die is coupled to the semiconductor substrate; and

a nanomaterial layer disposed on the top surface of the die, wherein the nanomaterial layer comprises a resin having a nanofiller disposed within the resin,

wherein the nanomaterial layer comprises a scratch and abrasion resistant material, and wherein a weight percentage of the nanofiller in the nanomaterial layer is between about 1% to about 60%.

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US Patent 7759160 - Nanoparticle antifuse

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7759160.html

Antifuses are used in some programmable logic devices to switch from a high resistance to a low resistance state. This patent teaches a variation of nanoparticle antifuse using point-like electrodes to melt the nanoparticles causing a short. Claim 1 reads:

1. A method for forming electrically conducting or semiconducting pathways on a substrate comprising a nanoparticle-containing layer, the nanoparticles in the layer comprising conducting or semiconducting material, the method comprising

applying a voltage over the nanoparticle-containing layer so as to locally increase the conductivity of the layer, the voltage being high enough to melt the nanoparticles in a breakthrough-like manner, wherein the voltage is applied from point-like electrodes laterally to the nanoparticle-containing layer in order to produce a wire-like formation on the substrate.

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US Patent 7759150 - TiO2 nanorod sensor

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7759150.html

This patent from Sharp teaches a gas sensor fabrication method using titanium dioxide nanowires to achieve high sensitivity at low production cost. Claim 1 reads:

1. A method for fabricating a nanorod sensor with a single plane of horizontally-aligned electrodes, the method comprising:

providing a substrate;

forming an intermediate electrode from a patterned bottom noble metal/Pt/Ti multilayered stack overlying a center region of the substrate;

forming TiO2 nanorods;

forming a single plane of top electrodes overlying the TiO2 nanorods; and,

forming a TiO2 film interposed between the TiO2 nanorods and electrodes selected from a group consisting of the intermediate electrode, the top electrodes, and both the intermediate and top electrodes.

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Wednesday, July 21, 2010

US Patent 7758961 - Functionalized nanoparticles in particle/bulk material systems

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7758961.html

This patent from Milliken & Company teaches the fabrication of nanocomposite materials having enhance properties such as adhesion by using multiple functional groups. Claim 1 reads:

1. A nanocomposite comprising multi-functionalized nanoparticles comprising:

a clay nanoparticle;

a first type of chemically functional group chemically bonded to at least a portion of the surface of the nanoparticle; and,

a second type of chemically functional group chemically bonded to at least a portion of the surface of the nanoparticle,

wherein the first and second chemically functional groups are substantially segregated on the surface of the nanoparticle,

wherein the multi-functionalized nanoparticles are dispersed in an extrudable thermoplastic bulk material.

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US Patent 7758912 - Anti-stiction bump coating for MEMS

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7758912.html

Micromirrors are used in digital displays and interferometers and often include a spacing member or bump used to regulate the position of a microcantilever. One problem of such microsystems is stiction in which the movable members become stuck to the bumps. This patent from HP teaches a deposition method for anti-stiction on the bumps. Claim 1 reads:

1. A process of manufacturing microelectronic devices, comprising:

placing a wafer in a deposition chamber, said wafer comprising a number of microelectronic devices, said microelectronic devices comprising a number of bump regions, said bump regions comprising a dielectric material; and

depositing an anti-stiction coating only on said bump regions, in which said anti-stiction coating is configured to react with said dielectric material of said bump regions.

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US Patent 7758892 - Medical device with nanoparticle layer

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7758892.html

This patent from Boston Scientific teaches a multilayered charged coating which facilitate manufacture of thin, flexible, and mechanically robust stents. Claim 1 reads:

1. A medical device comprising a multilayer region that comprises:

(a) a charged nanoparticle layer comprising charged nanoparticles;

(b) a plurality of charged polyelectroyte layers comprising charged polyelectrolyte species, and

(c) at least one charged therapeutic agent, wherein said medical device is configured for implantation or insertion into a subject.

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US Patent 7758889 - Fullerene in targeted therapies

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7758889.html

This patent from Luna Innovations (priority 7/18/2003) includes some basic claims to using fullerenes or carbon nanotubes for drug delivery. Claim 1 reads:

1. A composition, comprising:

(i) a Cn-Ab, wherein Cn is a fullerene or nanotube comprising n carbon atoms, and Ab is a moiety comprising an antigen-binding site and is covalently linked to the Cn, wherein the antigen-binding site recognizes an antigen associated with a medical condition; and

(ii) a pharmaceutically-acceptable carrier.

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Tuesday, July 20, 2010

US Patent 7758776 - Fused freeform nanotube composite

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7758776.html

This patent from Lockheed Martin has relatively early priority (Nov. 3, 2000) and includes some basic claims to composite structures formed from carbon nanotube fibers. Claim 1 reads:

1. A free form composite structure comprising:

a plurality of discrete nodal elements, each of the nodal elements comprising:

a matrix; and

a multiplicity of reinforcement elements formed of carbon nanotubes;

wherein the multiplicity of reinforcement elements are dispersed throughout the matrix; and

wherein the plurality of nodal elements are arranged and fused with respect to one another to form the free form composite structure.

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US Patent 7758773 - Nanocrystal modifiers for LCDs

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7758773.html

This patent from Kent State Universiy teaches how doping liquid crystal films with ferroelectric nanoparticles can improve the properties of LCDs. Claim 1 reads:

1. A liquid crystal material comprising a suspension of inorganic anisotropic ferroelectric nanoparticles in a liquid crystal, wherein said ferroelectric nanoparticles function to change at least one of the following properties of the suspension when compared to the pure liquid crystal:

a) the dielectric anisotropy;

b) the phase transition temperature;

c) the birefringence; and

d) the order parameter.

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US Patent 7758708 - Molybdenum nanocrystal film

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7758708.html

This patent teaches new nanostructured metallic films used to construct MEMS cantilever structures of smaller dimensions with improved strength. Claim 1 reads:

1. A binary nanocomposite film consisting essentially of body centered cubic nanocrystal molybdenum dispersed in an amorphous metallic matrix of aluminum or nickel.

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US Patent 7757371 - Nanostructured reference leak

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7757371.html

A reference leak is an instrument used as a calibration standard for detecting gas leaks. This patent from Hon Hai Precision teaches a nanostructured version of a reference leak which is less sensitive to temperature variations. Claim 1 reads:

1. A method for making a reference leak, comprising the steps of:

(a) preparing a substrate;

(b) forming a patterned catalyst layer on the substrate, the patterned catalyst layer comprising one or more catalyst blocks, each catalyst block being located at a respective chosen position on the substrate;

(c) forming one or more elongate nano-structures so as to extend from the corresponding catalyst blocks by a deposition method;

(d) forming a leak layer of one of a metallic material, a glass material, a composite material, and a ceramic material on the substrate, the one or more elongate nano-structures being thereby partly or completely embedded within the formed leak layer; and

(e) removing the one or more elongate nano-structures and the substrate to obtain a reference leak with one or more leak holes defined therein, each leak hole being defined by a space previously occupied by a respective one elongate nano-structure.

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Sunday, July 18, 2010

US Patent 7755424 - Mem-resistor crossbar FPAAs

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7755424.html

This is one of my patents related to a mem-resistor crossbar design used to implement field programmable analog arrays. More information on my patents is available at this link. Claim 1 reads:

1. A control circuit including:

an operational amplifier having an inverting input, a non-inverting input, and an output;

an array of impedance elements connected to the output of the operational amplifier, wherein the array of impedance elements includes capacitors; and

a resistance switch crossbar array configured to store data in the form of high or low resistance states, wherein the resistance switch crossbar array is electrically connected between the array of impedance elements and the inverting input of the operational amplifier.

US Patent 7755115 - Multiwall CNTFET

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7755115.html

Multiwall nanotubes are normally not able to form the channels of field effect transistors since they have metallic rather than semiconductive properties. However, this patent from Fujitsu teaches a way to remove a portion of the outer walls of a multiwall nanotube to form the semiconductor channel while using the two nanotube ends as conductive contacts to electrodes. Claim 1 reads:

1. A field effect transistor, comprising:

a carbon nanotube of two or more walls having an inner wall and an outer wall;

source and drain electrodes formed on both sides of the carbon nanotube; and

a gate electrode formed in a gate formation region of the carbon nanotube,

wherein the outer wall of the carbon nanotube is removed in the gate formation region to expose the inner wall, the gate electrode is formed over the exposed inner wall, and the carbon nanotube between the source and drain electrodes and the gate electrode is covered by the outer wall.

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US Patent 7755111 - Programmable power management using nanotubes

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7755111.html

Smart power management is becoming more necessary for integrated circuits in order to deal with increased leakage current as MOSFET gate oxide thickness is decreased. This patent from LSI Corporation teaches using nanotube switches in order to regulate such power management. Claim 1 reads:

1. A microelectronic assembly, comprising:

a power region having a plurality of transistors;

a nanotube structure patterned adjacent to the power region and associated with the power region; and

at least one power source coupled to the nanotube structure to distribute electricity to the power region based on a state of the nanotube structure.

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Thursday, July 15, 2010

US Patent 7755082 - Self-aligned CNT transistor

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7755082.html

This patent from Intel teaches a variation of a carbon nanotube field effect transistor using self-alignment of the source and drain relative to the channel. Claim 1 reads:

1. A semiconductor structure comprising:

a carbon nanotube formed over a substrate; and

a dielectric layer formed over said carbon nanotube, said dielectric layer having an aperture formed therein, wherein said dielectric layer includes a metal sidewall on each side of said aperture.

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US Patent 7754600 - Method of forming nanostructures on metal-silicide crystallines

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7754600.html

Epitaxial growth is commonly used to grow nanostructures on single crystal wafers of silicon. However, these substrates can be expensive and cheaper alternatives are desirable. This patent from HP teaches such an alternative in the form of a metal-silicide substrate. Claim 1 reads:

1. A method of forming nanostructures, comprising:

forming a metallic layer on a substrate;

forming a silicon layer on the metallic layer;

subjecting the multi-layer structure to a thermal process to form metal-silicide crystallites; and

growing the nanostructures on the metal-silicide crystallites.

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US Patent 7754524 - Oriented nanowire thin film electronics

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7754524.html

This is the latest patent from Nanosys covering electronics and optical devices formed from nanowire thin films. Claim 1 reads:

1. An article, comprising:

a substrate having a first surface;

a polymeric adherent material disposed on the first surface; and

a plurality of nanostructures each comprising a major axis, disposed on the first surface, and adhered to the adherent material, the plurality of nanostructures being substantially oriented so that their individual lengths are disposed substantially parallel to the first surface of the substrate along a common axis of the substrate.

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Wednesday, July 14, 2010

US Patent 7754408 - CNT developer for laser printers

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7754408.html

This patent from Xerox teaches using carbon nanotubes to enhance the conductivity and extend the lifetime of the developer used in laser printers. Claim 1 reads:

1. A carrier including carrier particles comprising

a binder,

at least one magnetic material and

at least one conductive material,

wherein the conductive material is substantially uniformly dispersed within the carrier particles and the conductive material includes at least one carbon nanotube.

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US Patent 7754336 - CNT glazing unit

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7754336.html

Laminated glass assemblies used in building architecture are desirable to be transmissive to visible light but opaque to the infrared spectrum for providing thermal insulation. This patent from Cardinal CG Company teaches using nanotubes in the construction of such assemblies to reduce the weight. Claim 1 reads:

1. A multiple-pane insulating glazing unit including

at least two spaced-apart panes,

the insulating glazing unit having at least one between-pane space and having a desired surface on which there is provided a transparent conductor coating consisting essentially of carbon nanotubes and inorganic dielectric material,

the desired surface being an exterior surface of the unit rather than being an interior surface facing a between-pane space of the unit.

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US Patent 7754283 - Mat for growing CNTs

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7754283.html

Nanometrix is a company having core expertise enabling nanoparticles and molecules to be assembled to form a thin film or monolayer with uniformity and thickness control. This is one of their basic patents on manufacturing continuous mats for growing nanotubes. Claim 1 reads:

1. A method of manufacturing a nanotube growing mat comprising:

providing a substrate comprising a uniform supporting layer and carbon;

applying nanosized catalytic particles in a bi-dimensionally organized monolayer on the uniform supporting layer in a predetermined pattern,

the pattern promoting growth in an organized manner from the catalytic particles as a function of the pattern.

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Tuesday, July 13, 2010

US Patent 7754177 - Carbon nanoballoon

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7754177.html

Fullerene molecules such as single walled carbon nanotubes and C60 are formed of carbon atoms bonded to enclose a hollow space. This patent teaches a method of fabricating a carbon nanostructure which increases the volume of the hollow space relative to other fullerene nanostructures which may improve properties related to hydrogen storage and light absorption.

1. A method of producing a carbon nanoballoon structure having a hollow portion, comprising the step of

heating carbon black having a specific surface area of at least 1000 m2/g and a primary particle diameter of at least 20 nm to a temperature of at least 2000° C. in an inert gas atmosphere.

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US Patent 7754173 - Rare earth oxide nanoplates

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7754173.html

This patent from the University of Florida Research Foundation teaches a new type of nanomaterial based on Gd2O3 nanocrystals having a thickness approaching the lower limit of crystal growth. Claim 1 reads:

1. A composition of matter, comprising

a plurality of rare earth oxide nanocrystals,

wherein each of said rare earth oxide nanocrystals is in the form of a nanoplate, and

wherein said plurality of rare earth oxide nanocrystals has a size distribution within a standard deviation of less than 10%.

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US Patent 7754107 - Visualizing CNTs with Qdots

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7754107.html

A few methods exist to attach carbon nanotubes to quantum dots in order to label and track the nanotubes. However, the attachment of the quantum dot can either damage the nanotube structure or be too weak in which case the quantum dot is easily detached. This patent from National Tsing Hua University teaches a technique intended to resolve these problems. Claim 1 reads:

1. A method of visualizing a carbon nanotube, comprising:

bonding a plurality of linking molecules to surfaces of a plurality of quantum dots;

attaching the quantum dots to the carbon nanotube through non-covalent bonding via the linking molecules,

wherein the linking molecule is (1-pyrenyl)methyl 6,8-dimercaptooctanoate; and

making the quantum dots emit light.

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US Patent 7754054 - Microwave induced functionalization of SWCNTs

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7754054.html

Functionalization is an important step to sorting carbon nanotubes or to form chemical sensors using nanotubes. This patent from NJIT teaches that the speed of nanotube functionalization may be enhanced by application of microwaves. Claim 1 reads:

1. A method for rapidly generating a soluble, functionalized nanomaterial comprising:

providing a substantially non-soluble nanomaterial and at least one functionalizing reactant; and

subjecting the nanomaterial and the at least one functionalizing reactant to microwave conditions;

wherein after the nanomaterial and the at least one functionalizing reactant are subjected to the microwave conditions, the nanomaterial is: (i) functionalized, and (ii) substantially soluble in a solvent.

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Sunday, July 11, 2010

US Patent 7751220 - Associative memory with magnetic nanoparticles

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7751220.html

Usually artificial neural networks and other forms of artificial intelligence are implemented using computer software. However, software lacks the real-time responsiveness necessary for several A.I. applications. Developments in nanomaterials have led to several suggestions for using components such as nanoparticles or memristors to implement physical neural networks which may avoid some of the problems of software. This patent represents a new suggestion for associative memory based on magnetic nanoparticles. Claim 1 reads:

1. An associative memory device comprising

a magnetically responsive layer adapted to store a representation of a pattern, the magnetically responsive layer comprising magnetic nanoparticles as a magnetically active component,

the associative memory device characterized by that the magnetic nanoparticles are dispersed in a solvent with variable viscosity, and

wherein the magnetically responsive layer is a layer of ferrofluid.

US Patent 7751171 - Nanoscale grasping device

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7751171.html

Nanotweezers were developed over 10 years ago using dual carbon nanotubes to grasp matter on the nanoscale. This patent from NanoLab, Inc. teaches an improved version of nanotweezers using 3 nanotubes controled by an ac driving voltage to improve stability of control. Claim 1 reads:

1. A nanoscale grasping device for the manipulation of microscopic objects, comprising

at least three electrostatically actuated grasping elements;

wherein each of said at least three grasping elements is independently supplied with a voltage sufficient to induce electrostatic forces between at least two of said grasping elements, whereby to close or open said grasping elements; and

wherein an oscillating voltage is applied to at least one of said grasping elements.

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US Patent 7750386 - Nanoporous mem-resistor

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7750386.html

This patent from Seagate Technology teaches a variation of mem-resistor memory (i.e. RRAM) in which a nanoporous layer is used to reduce the magnitue or the switching current used to change resistance states. Claim 1 reads:

1. A memory cell comprising:

a first contact having a first surface and an opposing second surface;

a second contact having a first surface and an opposing second surface;

a memory material layer having a first surface and an opposing second surface; and

a nanoporous layer having a first surface and an opposing second surface, the nanoporous layer comprising at least one nanopore and dielectric material, the at least one nanopore being substantially filled with a conductive metal,

wherein the first surface of the nanoporous layer is in contact with a surface of the first contact or the second contact and the opposing second surface of the nanoporous layer is in contact with a surface of the memory material layer.

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Thursday, July 08, 2010

US Patent 7750285 - Photoconductive CNT optical sensor

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7750285.html

This patent from Japanese researchers teaches a way to use carbon nanotubes to construct photosensors and integrate them with field effect transistors. Claim 1 reads:

1. An optical sensor characterized by comprising:

a photoconductive material layer, which generates a carrier inside when irradiated with a light or an electromagnetic wave, and

a transparent or translucent insulating layer formed on said photoconductive material layer, and

a carbon nanotube formed on said insulating layer, and

electrodes connected to opposite ends of said carbon nanotube, wherein;

said photoconductive material layer is irradiated with said light or electromagnetic wave through said transparent or translucent insulating layer;

a predetermined voltage is applied between said two electrodes, and said carrier, which is generated within said photoconductive material layer by irradiation of said light or electromagnetic wave, is sensed through change of electrical conduction of said carbon nanotube.

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US Patent 7750240 - CNT coaxial cable

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7750240.html

This is the latest in a series of patents from Hon Hai Precision which discloses a way to form coaxial cables using carbon nanotube materials potentially leading to stronger and more lightweight electrical cables in the 21st century. Claim 1 reads:

1. A coaxial cable comprising:

a core comprising a plurality of carbon nanotubes having at least one conductive coating disposed about the carbon nanotubes, the carbon nanotubes being orderly arranged;

an insulating layer about the core;

a shielding layer about the insulating layer; and a sheathing layer about the shielding layer.

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US Patent 7750071 - Electrically conductive, optically transparent SWCNT film

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7750071.html

This patent is based on research conducted at Clemson University and has some early priority (3/22/2001) toward transparent SWCNT electrodes. Claim 1 reads:

1. An electrically conductive film comprising:

a plurality of single walled carbon nanotubes, wherein the film is optically transparent and electrically conductive, wherein the film has an optical transmission greater than 80%.


29. A dispersion of nanotubes comprising a plurality of single walled carbon nanotubes, wherein when applied to a surface as a film of carbon nanotubes the dispersion has an optical transmission greater than 50%.

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US Patent 7749801 - Phase change memory fabricated with CNTs

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7749801.html

Phase change memory is appearing to be the primary choice for a next-generation universal non-volatile memory. This patent from Korea Advanced Institute of Science & Technology teaches a way to reduce the contact area between the bottom electrode and phase change material using vertical carbon nanotubes thus increasing the integration density of phase change memory cells. Claim 1 reads:

1. A method for fabricating a phase change memory using carbon nanotubes, the method comprising:

disposing a catalyst for forming a plurality of carbon nanotubes over predetermined regions of a current source electrode supplying external current to a target, thereby widening the predetermined regions responsible for the phase change and increasing the threshold margin of a phase change material;

growing the carbon nanotubes in vertical direction using the catalyst as a seed to form carbon nanotube electrodes;

depositing an insulation layer over the current source electrode in a manner to cover the carbon nanotube electrodes;

polishing the insulation layer until flush with the carbon nanotube electrodes to form a planarized insulation layer flush with the carbon nanotube electrodes; and

forming a phase change material layer over the planarized insulation layer, which is flush with the carbon nanotube electrodes, in contact with the carbon nanotube electrodes.

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Wednesday, July 07, 2010

US Patent 7749646 - Reversibly activated nanostructured battery

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7749646.html

In conventional electrolytic batteries contact between the electrolyte and the electrode eventually depletes the electrode material. This patent from Alcatel-Lucent teaches a way to avoid this problem by using a nanostructured pattern to periodically separate the electrolyte and the electrode when the battery is not in use. Claim 1 reads:

1. A battery comprising:

an electrode having at least one surface;

a plurality of nanostructures, disposed on said surface to form a feature pattern on said surface;

an electrolyte liquid in contact with said nanostructures, and

a fluid disposed within said feature pattern, wherein said fluid is controllable to reversibly change a degree of penetration of said feature pattern by said electrolyte liquid.

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US Patent 7749477 - Tracking CNT growth

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7749477.html

In CVD growth of carbon nanotube arrays the nanotubes usually grow from catalytic particles in a root-growth or a tip-growth fashion. During root-growth the catalyst remains on the substrate while during tip growth the catalyst particle remains on the tip of the nanotube during growth. In order to study these different growth modes and other aspects of nanotube formation researchers at Hon Hai Precision and Tsinghua University have implements an intermittent CVD method in which line markings form on the nanotubes to track their growth. Claim 1 reads:

1. A carbon nanotube array comprising:

a plurality of carbon nanotubes; and

at least one line mark formed on the carbon nanotubes, the at least one line mark transversely extending across the carbon nanotubes;

wherein the at least one line mark comprises a plurality of line marks transversely extending across the carbon nanotubes;

wherein the line marks are parallel to each other; and

wherein the line marks are nonuniformly-spaced.

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US Patent 7749407 - High work function transparent conductors

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7749407.html

Organic LEDs usually use transparent electrode materials to avoid unwanted light absorption. One problem with conventional transparent electrode materials is that the work function is too low for effective injection of holes into the electroluminescent material of the OLED. This patent from E.I. du Pont teaches a nanoparticle based material with an improved work function. Claim 1 reads:

1. A transparent conductor having a work function greater than 4.7 eV consisting of conductive nanoparticles and a fluorinated acid polymer.

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US Patent 7748272 - Integrated MEMS sensor suite

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7748272.html

This patent from Morgan Research Corporation teaches using a thick layer of SOI silicon to form the basis of three different types of MEMS sensors (accelerometer, thermal, humidity) leading to reduced packaging. Claim 1 reads:

1. A monolithically integrated micro-electromechanical sensor suite formed on a semiconductor chip, comprising:

a silicon-on-insulator accelerometer; and

a humidity sensor monolithically integrated with the silicon-on-insulator accelerometer,

wherein the silicon-on-insulator accelerometer and the humidity sensor are commonly fabricated from a shared active silicon layer.

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Monday, July 05, 2010

US Patent 7747546 - Nanotube spin memory

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7747546.html

Isis Innovation has been established to help commercialize technologies developed from Oxford University. This recent patent teaches a spintronic-type memory structure based on fullerene molecules formed within a carbon nanotube. Claim 1 reads:

1. An information register comprising:

a substrate;

a nanotube provided on the substrate;

a plurality of units located within the nanotube, each of the units comprising an endohedral fullerene; and

a plurality of electrode gates provided on the substrate, wherein each of the units has a plurality of states useable for representing information, and wherein the plurality of information-representing states of each unit correspond to different spin states of the unit.

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US Patent 7745810 - Nanotube film conductive trace

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7745810.html

This patent from Nantero has priority going back to 2001 and includes some basic claims to conductive nanotube ribbons formed on a substrate. Claim 1 reads:

1. An assembly including a substrate and a conductive trace disposed on the substrate, the trace having at least two sides that are substantially parallel to each other, wherein the trace includes a plurality of unaligned nanotubes for providing a plurality of conductive pathways along the trace.

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US Patent 7745528 - Graphene-rubber nanocomposites

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7745528.html

This patent from Princeton University teaches a method to incorporate graphene into a polymer matrix to improve the strength and electrical conductivity of seals an packaging materials. Claim 1 reads:

1. A polymer composition, comprising:

a polymer matrix comprising an elastomer; and

a functional graphene which displays no signature of graphite and/or graphite oxide, as determined by X-ray diffraction.

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Sunday, July 04, 2010

US Patent 7745498 - Oxidized nanowires

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7745498.html

In order to form transistor structures using nanostructured materials a reliable method is required to generate the dielectric oxides with respect to the nanochannel. This patent from Nanosys includes some basic claims to oxidized silicon nanowires. Claim 1 reads:

1. A nanowire dispersion composition comprising

a plurality of nanowires comprising silicon suspended in an aqueous or non-aqueous solution comprising at least one low molecular weight dispersant,

wherein the nanowires include a thermally grown oxide layer on an outermost surface of the nanowires, wherein the thermally grown oxide layer is formed in addition to any oxide layer resulting from synthesis of the nanowires.

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US Patent 7745330 - Attaching CNTs to a substrate

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7745330.html

This patent from U.S. Naval Research teaches ways to modify carbon nanotubes in order to integrate them with silicon substrates and perform electrical experiments. Claim 1 reads:

1. A method of connecting a carbon nanotube to a substrate, comprising:

exposing the carbon nanotube to a vapor from a substance of fluoride salt deposited on the substrate.

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US Patent 7745302 - TEM grid using CNTs

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7745302.html

Transmission electron microscopy is one of the most important techniques for the examination of nanoscale structures. This patent from Hon Hai Precision teaches a way to enhancing the electrical conductivity and strength of TEM grids by using carbon nanotubes. Claim 1 reads:

1. A method for making a transmission electron microscope (TEM) grid comprising:

providing an array of carbon nanotubes, a substrate, and a plurality of metal girds attached on the substrate;

drawing one or more carbon nanotube films from the array of carbon nanotubes;

covering the substrate with one or more carbon nanotube films;

treating the one or more carbon nanotube films with organic solvent; and

irradiating a portion of the one or more carbon nanotube films between every two adjacent metal girds,

further comprising stacking two or more carbon nanotube films and using the two or more carbon nanotube films to cover the grids;

wherein the angle between the aligned directions of the stacked carbon nanotube films ranges from 0 to about 90 degrees.

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Friday, July 02, 2010

US Patent 7745101 - Nanoparticle liftoff patterning

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7745101.html

Lift-off is a process used in microfabrication involving the additive patterning of thin films. This patent from Eastman Kodak teaches a similar method for patterning metal nanoparticles. Claim 1 reads:

1. A method of making a metallic pattern comprising:

depositing a layer of photoresist on a substrate;

forming a pattern of opening in said photoresist;

depositing a layer of metal nanoparticles on said photoresist and on said pattern;

removing said photoresist and overlying metal nanoparticles on said photoresist; and

sintering the remaining said nanoparticles to form a metallic pattern.

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US Patent 7745047 - Nanographene platelets for Li ion batteries

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7745047.html

Nanotek Instruments is developing new low-cost nanomaterials for applications including solar cells, batteries, and fuel cells. This latest patent is related to Li ion batteries using graphene platelets to form one of the electrodes. Claim 1 reads:

1. A nano-scaled graphene platelet-based composite composition for use as a lithium ion battery anode, said composition comprising:

a) micron- or nanometer-scaled particles or coating which are capable of absorbing and desorbing lithium ions; and

b) a plurality of separated or isolated nano-scaled graphene platelets (NGPs), wherein a platelet comprises a graphene sheet or a stack of graphene sheets having a platelet thickness less than 100 nm;

wherein at least one of said particles or coating is physically attached or chemically bonded to at least one of said platelets and the amount of platelets is in the range of 2% to 90% by weight and the amount of particles or coating is in the range of 98% to 10% by weight;

wherein the particles or coating comprises an active material capable of absorbing or extracting lithium ions and said active material is selected from the group consisting of:

(a) silicon (Si), germanium (Ge), tin (Sn), lead (Pb), antimony (Sb), bismuth (Bi), zinc (Zn), aluminum (Al), and cadmium (Cd);

(b) alloys or intermetallic compounds of Si, Ge, Sn, Pb, Sb, Bi, Zn, Al, or Cd with other elements, wherein said alloys or compounds are stoichiometric or non-stoichiometric;

(c) oxides, carbides, nitrides, sulfides, phosphides, selenides, and tellurides of Si, Ge, Sn, Pb, Sb, Bi, Zn, Al, Fe, or Cd, and their mixtures or composites;

(d) salts and hydroxides of Sn; and

(e) combinations thereof.

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US Patent 7745004 - Polymer coated magnetic particles

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7745004.html

High frequency mobile communication devices often produce unnecessary radio emissions which deteriorate communication quality. Magnetic films having a nanogranular structure can be used as an EM shield to avoid this problem. This patent from Sony teaches a variation of magnetic nanomaterial in which manufacturing is lower cost and faster than previous methods. Claim 1 reads:

1. Magnetic particles forming a magnetic material for absorbing electromagnetic waves, wherein the magnetic particles have a diameter located within a range of 1 nm to 50 nm; and

a chain polymer surrounding individual ones of the magnetic particles being formed to a thickness of 1 nm or less.

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US Patent 7745001 - Nanoassemblies containing qdots and magnetic nanoparticles

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7745001.html

This patent from the University of New Orleans teaches a method to encapsulate luminescent quantum dots with magnetic nanoparticles enabling a biotag detectable by both optical and magnetic techniques. Claim 1 reads:

1. Luminescent and magnetic nanoassemblies comprising luminescent semiconductor quantum dots ("QDs") and magnetic nanoparticles, wherein components in the nanoassemblies are bound covalently.

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Thursday, July 01, 2010

US Patent 7744963 - Driving Dip Pen Nanolithography® with electric or magnetic force

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7744963.html

This patent from Northwestern University has priority going back to 2001 and appears basic to a driving method used by NanoInk in Dip Pen Nanolithography®. Claim 1 reads:

1. A method of nanolithography, comprising:

providing a substrate;

providing a tip comprising an internal cavity having an external opening to the surface of said tip, wherein said opening comprises an internal diameter of less than about 200 nanometers;

loading said cavity with a deposition compound, wherein said deposition compound does not pass through said external opening in the absence of a driving force; and

subjecting said tip to a driving force to deliver said deposition compound through said external opening to be deposited on said substrate;

wherein the driving force is selected from the group consisting of an electrical and a magnetic driving force, wherein, for the electrical driving force, the deposition compound is a charged compound subjected to an applied electric field, and wherein, for the magnetic driving force, the deposition compound is a magnetic compound or a magnetically tagged compound subjected to a magnetic field.

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US Patent 7744956 - CNT patterning to eliminate shielding effects

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7744956.html

High efficiency electron emitters may be manufactured by growing arrays of carbon nanotubes in a high density however there is an ultimate limit to the efficiency determined by a screening effect in which electrostatic repulsion effects come into play when the array density is too high. This patent from Hon Hai Precision teaches a way around this problem based on a patterned segmentation within the nanotube arrays. Claim 1 reads:

1. A method for forming a patterned array of carbon nanotubes, the method comprising the steps of:

(a) forming an array of carbon nanotubes on a substrate; and

(b) exerting a pressure on the array of carbon nanotubes by a molding device having a pattern to imprint the array of carbon nanotubes to obtain the patterned array of carbon nanotubes;

wherein the molding device is a metal wire mesh.

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US Patent 7744947 - Method of forming CNT metallic wires

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7744947.html

This patent from Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology teaches a way to form metallic wiring on a semiconductor substrate using carbon nanotubes coated in recesses imprinted on the substrate.

1. A method of forming carbon nanotubes on a substrate, comprising:

(a) patterning a mold on an upper surface of the substrate to form a recess;

(b) coating carbon nanotubes on an upper surface of the recess and an upper surface of the mold;

(c) filling the carbon nanotubes that are coated on the upper surface of the mold in the recess by using a flattening tool; and

(d) removing the mold.

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US Patent 7744843 - Bulk synthesis of CNTs

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7744843.html

This patent from Drexel University teaches a way of using chlorine gas to facilitate the mass production of single walled carbon nanotubes. Claim 5 reads:

5. A method for synthesizing carbon nanotubes, comprising:

extracting metal from a carbide substrate using one or more halogens at a temperature in the range of from about 700 C. to about 2000 C.; and

growing carbon nanotubes in a non-vacuum pressure environment on the substrate upon conversion of the carbide substrate into carbon.

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