US Patent 8027013 - Carbon nanotube heating layers for LCDs

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/8027013.html

The threshold voltage of switching in LCDs depends inversely on the temperature so high temperature operation is desirable to achieve good color contrast with low operational voltage. This patent from Hon Hai Precision (Foxconn) teaches using carbon nanotube film as a heater to reduce the threshold voltage. Claim 1 reads:

1. A liquid crystal display comprising:

a first substrate;

a second substrate;

a liquid crystal layer sandwiched between the first substrate and the second substrate;

a first transparent heating layer located on the first substrate;

a second transparent heating layer located on the second substrate, at least one of the first the second transparent heating layers comprises a carbon nanotube structure.

US Patent 8026661 - Electronic displays using optically pumped quantum dots

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/8026661.html

This patent from the Regents of the University of California has early priority (1998) and includes some broad claims covering LED display devices based on quantum dot nanocrystal technology. Claim 1 reads:

1. A multicolor display apparatus, comprising:

a pixel array of semiconductor nanocrystals comprising a plurality of pixels of different colors, wherein the sizes of the nanocrystals in each of the plurality of pixels determine the colors; and

a pixel addressing system operatively associated with the pixel array for selectively optically exciting the nanocrystals to produce a luminescent color pattern of pixels.

US Patent 8026560 - Molecular mass detector using nanowire transistor

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/8026560.html


This patent from IBM teaches a variation of the structure for a field effect transistor in which a resonating nanowire is used as the transistor channel and is used to measure the mass of molecular structures. Claim 1 reads:

1. A molecular detection device comprising:

a source;

a drain;

a nanowire comprising a semiconductor material having a first end clamped to the source and a second end clamped to the drain, wherein at least a portion of a surface of the nanowire is charge-sensitized by the introduction of compounds to the surface; and

a gate, at least a portion of which is separated from one or more of the source and the drain by a dielectric substrate.

US Patent 8025971 - CNT pressure sensitive adhesive

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/8025971.html

This patent from Nitto Denko Corporation teaches improving the mechanical properties of pressure sensitive adhesives by using carbon nanotubes. Claim 1 reads:

1. A fibrous columnar structure aggregate comprising fibrous columnar structures having a plurality of diameters, wherein:

the fibrous columnar structures comprise carbon nanotubes;

the fibrous columnar structures have a plurality of diameters, and a length of 500 μm or more;

wherein the mode of a diameter distribution of the fibrous columnar structures is 15 nm or less, and the relative frequency of the mode of the diameter distribution is 30% or more.

US Patent 8025963 - Nanoporous filter

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/8025963.html

Nanotecture Ltd. is a company focusing on the development of high surface area nanoporous materials to improve the efficiency of supercapacitors and batteries. This latest patent includes some broad claims to a nanoporous filter. Claim 1 reads:

1. A nanoporous filter comprising a porous support having an essentially flat surface, on which is deposited a metal nanoporous layer having a substantially regular pore structure, and uniform pore size within the range from 1 to 50 nm.

US Patent 8025960 - Nanofiber adhesive for bandages

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/8025960.html

This latest patent from Nanosys applies nanofiber coatings as an anti-bacterial dry adhesive for bandages. Claim 1 reads:

1. A bandage, comprising:

a flexible porous substrate having a plurality of apertures disposed therethrough, the porous substrate having an overall surface that includes an interior wall surface of the apertures and an exterior surface of the substrate; and

a plurality of nanofibers deposited upon or attached to at least a portion of the overall surface of the porous substrate, wherein at least a portion of the nanofibers are attached to or deposited upon the exterior surface of the substrate and at least a portion of the nanofibers are attached to the interior wall surface area of the plurality of apertures, whereby when the bandage is applied to a wound, the nanofibers attached to the exterior surface of the substrate provide adhesion to surface tissues adjacent to the wound or to an opposing side of the substrate.

US Patent 8024279 - Nanoscale resonator classifier

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/8024279.html

This patent from Nokia teaches a way to implement a system of pattern recognition and classification using nanoscale resonating elements. Claim 1 reads:

1. Apparatus comprising:

at least one resonator comprising a plurality of nanoscale resonator elements, the at least one resonator having at least two, different resonant frequencies and being configured to provide at least two signals in response to an input signal; and

at least one adder configured to weight the signals with respective weights and to add weighted signals so as to produce an output signal.

US Patent 8023306 - Electronic and optoelectronic devices with quantum dot films

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/8023306.html

Thin patent from InVisage Technologies teaches how fused quantum dots can be integated into CCD or CMOS imaging arrays. Claim 1 reads:

1. A film comprising a network of fused nanocrystals,

the nanocrystals having a core and an outer surface,

wherein the core of at least a portion of the fused nanocrystals is in direct physical contact and electrical communication with the core of at least one adjacent fused nanocrystal,

the outer surface including a semiconductor material,

the film having substantially no defect states in the regions where the cores of the nanocrystals are fused.

US Patent 8022610 - Electric device containing CNTs

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/8022610.html

This patent from Canon is a continuation with priority going back to 1997 and includes some broad claims for carbon nanotubes as electronic circuit components. Claim 1 reads:

1. An electronic device comprising:

(i) a first electrode and a second electrode, which are disposed on a surface of a substrate; and

(ii) a plurality of carbon nanotubes, wherein each of the carbon nanotubes is electrically connected to the first electrode and the second electrode and is at a distance from the surface of the substrate.

US Patent 8022444 - Silicon nanowire biosensor

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/8022444.html

This patent teaches a nanowire chemfet sensor in which the contact resistance between the silicon nanowire channel and the source/drain electrodes is reduced in order to improve the sensitivity. Claim 1 reads:


1. A biosensor comprising:

a silicon substrate;

a source region disposed on the silicon substrate;

a drain region disposed on the silicon substrate;

a silicon nanowire disposed on the source region and the drain region, and having a defect region formed by irradiation of an electron beam; and

wherein the defect region has a lower electron mobility than other regions of the silicon nanowire.

US Patent 8022432 - LED including nanorod transparent electrodes

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/8022432.html

This patent from LG Display teaches forming nanorod structures in a transparent electrode to minimize internal reflection and increase light emission in display and LED applications. Claim 1 reads:

1. A light-emitting device, comprising:

a first conductive semiconductor layer, a light-emitting active layer, and a second conductive semiconductor layer, each of which is sequentially laminated on a substrate;

a plurality of nanorods, grown from a transparent conductive material, formed on the second conductive semiconductor layer;

an electrode formed on the plurality of nanorods; and

another electrode formed on the first conductive semiconductor layer, wherein each of the plurality of nanorods comprises a transparent material loaded into gaps between the nanorods to expose upper surfaces of the nanorods or upper tips thereof.

US Patent 8022408 - Semiconductor nanowire on insulator

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/8022408.html

This patent from Samsung teaches a design technique for crystalline nanowire transistors which provides higher mobility and fewer defects than other nanowire designs. Claim 1 reads:

1. A crystalline nanowire substrate comprising:

a substrate;

an insulating film disposed on the substrate as a strip shape such that all side surfaces of the strip shape meet a bottom surface of the strip shape, the insulating film having exposed side surfaces; and

a crystalline nanowire film covering an uppermost surface of the insulating film and having sidewalls aligned with the exposed side surfaces of the insulating film,

wherein the crystalline nanowire film is a single crystalline material selected from the group consisting of Si, Ge, SiGe, and SiC.

US Patent 8022383 - 2-terminal silicon mem-resistor

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/8022383.html

This patent from the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (Japan) teaches a new variation of RRAM based on silicon films separated by a nanoscale gap. Claim 1 reads:

1. A two-terminal resistance switching element, comprising

two silicon films each doped with an impurity arranged with a gap width in the order of nanometers,

wherein the switching element gives a resistance hysteresis observed at bias voltages lower than 5V when a voltage is applied to the silicon films, and expresses a non-volatile resistance change.

US Patent 8022361 - Nanoelectrospray mass spectrometry

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/8022361.html

This patent from the University of California proposes a nanoscale mass spectroscopy system which may make it possible to integrate mass spectroscopy with lab-on-a-chip microfluidics. Claim 1 reads:

1. An electrospray emitter comprising:

a first silica nozzle extending out from a larger silica base tube;

wherein the walls of the nozzle and the base tube form a monolithic whole, and the first silica nozzle is a nanotube.

US Patent 8021967 - Nanoscale wicking methods

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/8021967.html

Wicking is the process by which liquids are transported across or along fibers by capillary action. This patent from the California Institute of Technology teaches how to perform wicking on the nanoscale which may be useful to control biomolecular processes. Claim 1 reads:

1. A guided fluid transport method comprising:

providing a plurality of nanoscale fibers disposed in a patterned configuration; and

transporting fluid along the nanoscale fibers,

wherein the nanoscale fibers are disposed in a patterned configuration adapted to allow transport of the fluid in absence of an external power.

US Patent 8021747 - Transparent electrode with net-like CNT film

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/8021747.html

This patent from Samsung teaches another variation of carbon nanotube transparent electrodes for applications in flat panel displays and touch screens. Claim 1 reads:

1. A transparent carbon nanotube (CNT) electrode, comprising:

a transparent substrate; and

a CNT film having a net-shaped structure formed on a surface of the transparent substrate,

wherein the net-shaped CNT film comprises a network of interconnected CNTs surrounding spaces previously occupied by a particulate material having a particle size of 50 nanometers to 10 micrometers.

US Patent 8021721 - Superabrasive nanoparticles

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/8021721.html

This patent from Smith International teaches a form of diamond nanoparticles can be used to improve the life expectancy of drill bits used in oil drilling. Claim 1 reads:

1. A method of modifying a bottomhole assembly, comprising:

coating at least a portion of a bottomhole assembly with a metal plating;

wherein the metal plating comprises a base metal and clusters of superabrasive nanoparticles;

wherein the superabrasive nanoparticles have a particle size ranging from 0.1 to 100 nanometers; and

wherein the superabrasive nanoparticles comprise a diamond core and a non-diamond carbon-based coating on the diamond core;

wherein the carbon-based coating comprises an inner coating of graphite and an outer coating of amorphous carbon.

US Patent 8021640 - Manufacturing carbon nanotube paper

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/8021640.html

This patent from SNU R+DB Foundation teaches a way to form macroscale CNT papers, sheets, wraps, or films having a two-dimensional structure and improved mechanical, electrical, and chemical characteristics. Claim 1 reads:

1. A method for making a carbon nanotube (CNT) paper comprising:

disposing a blade having a sharp edge portion into a CNT colloidal solution such that CNTs in the CNT colloidal solution adhere to the sharp edge portion; and

withdrawing the blade from the CNT colloidal solution to form the CNT paper at the interface between the sharp edge portion and the CNT colloidal solution, wherein an influx of carbon nanotubes from the CNT colloidal solution towards the blade occurs due to a meniscus and the influx is in the range of about 1 cm/hour to about 9 cm/hour.

US Patent 8021008 - Solid state lighting using quantum dots in a liquid

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/8021008.html

In LED and lighting applications quantum dots are most often formed within a thin film or solid matrix material which can diminish the effective photoconversion efficiency. This patent from ABL IP Holding teaches an alternative system in which the quantum dots are maintained in a liquid medium to improve the efficiency. Claim 1 reads:

1. A lighting apparatus for providing general lighting in a region or area intended to be occupied by a person, the lighting apparatus comprising:

a source of light of a first spectral characteristic of a light intensity for a general lighting application;

a reflector having a reflective interior surface for directing light from the source in a direction to facilitate said general lighting application in the region or area; and

a liquid containing quantum dots, for producing a wavelength shift of at least some light from the source to produce a desired second color characteristic in light output from the lighting apparatus.

US Patent 8020646 - Nanotube charging roof on an automobile

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/8020646.html

Conventional solar panels are often too rigid to adapt well to the shapes of automobiles. This patent from Toyota teaches a solution using carbon nanotube material incorporated into a layer of photovoltaic paint coated onto automobiles. Claim 1 reads:

1. An automobile comprising:

a body with an interior;

a roof attached to the body;

a layer of paint coated on top of the roof;

an energy storage unit located within the interior of the body; and

a layer of photovoltaic material including sprayable particles of photovoltaic material, the particles including a fullerene single wall nanotube complex, the layer of photovoltaic material deposited on top of the layer of paint to form a solar panel connected to the energy storage unit.

US Patent 8019555 - Virus as a scaffold for hierarchical self-assembly

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/8019555.html

This patent from U.S. Naval Research includes some broad claims for building blocks of biomolecular nanotechnology which may be useful in bio-detection or memory applications. Claim 1 reads:

1. A particle comprising:

a virus having a surface;

a plurality of inorganic nanoparticles bound to the surface; and

one or more molecular wires connecting the nanoparticles.

US Patent 8019097 - CNT thermoacoustic device

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/8019097.html


Electroacoustic transducers such as loudspeakers typically require magnetic elements which can add to the weight of the transducer. This patent from Hon Hai Precision (Foxconn) teaches how thermoacoustic effects produced by carbon nanotubes may be used as a replacement leading to reduced size and weight of loudspeakers and other electroacoustic devices. Claim 21 reads:

21. A sound producing device, the sound producing device comprising:

at least one carbon nanotube wire structure in contact with a medium;

wherein the at least one carbon nanotube wire structure produces sound waves by a thermoacoustic effect.

US Patent 8018675 - Magnetic head with CNT heat dissipation

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/8018675.html

Electromagnetic coils used in read/write heads of hard disk drives are subject to Joule heating which can produce stress and deterioration over time. This patent from TDK Corporation teaches how carbon nanotubes can be incorporated into the insulation layer of the read/write head to provide heat dissipation. Claim 1 reads:

1. A thin-film magnetic head comprising

a magnetic pole,

a coil surrounding the magnetic pole, and

an insulating layer covering the coil;

wherein the insulating layer is formed from a resin containing a carbon nanotube.

US Patent 8018648 - Nanoparticle doped hybrid photorefractives

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/8018648.html

The photorefractive effect is a nonlinear optical phenomena used in holography. This patent from the U.S. Air Force teaches how nanoparticles can be useful to enhance a gain media and improve performance of photorefractive hybrid cells. Claim 1 reads:

1. A photorefractive hybrid cell comprising a window and a gain media disposed adjacent the window, the gain media having nanoparticles therein, wherein the nanoparticles include a material which dynamically reorients in the presence of an electric or magnetic field.

US Patent 8018595 - Detecting biomaterial using gold nanoparticles

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/8018595.html

This patent from Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute includes some broad claims for the use of gold nanoparticles in biomedical research. Claim 1 reads:

1. An apparatus for detecting bio materials, comprising:

a bio material reacting unit comprising bio sensing materials immobilized on gold nanoparticles;

an optical source unit configured to emit light toward the bio material reacting unit; and

a detecting unit configured to measure variations of surface absorbance of the gold nanoparticles by detecting light transmitted through the bio material reacting unit before and after a bio material is bound to the bio sensing materials.

US Patent 8018563 - Transparent conductors formed from metallic nanowires

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/8018563.html

Transparent electrical conductors are an important component of plasma and LCD displays but conventional materials used for this purpose such as indium tin oxide are costly to produce and are fragile. This patent from Cambrios teaches how silver nanowires or gold nanotubes can be used to produce transparent conductors with improved properties. Claim 1 reads:

1. A composite transparent conductor comprising:

a primary conductive medium including a plurality of nanostructures, the nanostructures being metal nanowires or metal nanotubes; and

a secondary conductive medium coupled to the primary conductive medium, the secondary conductive medium including a metal oxide film,

wherein the plurality of nanostructures are below an electrical percolation threshold.

US Patent 8017864 - Woven CNTs for low loss inductors and resonators

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/8017864.html

The conduction of wires at ultrahigh frequencies is diminished by the skin effect which can introduce significant power loss in communication systems. This patent from Motorola Mobility teaches how interwoven carbon nanotubes can be used to reduce this problem to provide UHF communication systems with less power loss. Claim 12 reads:

12. A method of making a conductor for transmitting radio-frequency signals, comprising the steps of:

(a) placing a plurality of carbon nanotubes on a substrate; and

(b) interweaving a first plurality of individual nano scale conductors into a first primary strand;

(c) interweaving a second plurality of individual nano scale conductors into a second primary strand;

(d) interweaving a third plurality of individual nano scale conductors into a third primary strand; and

(e) interweaving the first primary strand, the second primary strand and the third primary strand so as to form a Litz wire into a Litz wire.

US Patent 8017430 - Nanostructured silicon anode

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/8017430.html

This patent from Nexeon Ltd. teaches a way to fabricate nanostructured silicon anodes for lithium ion batteries which provides extended cycle life and significantly increases battery capacity. Claim 1 reads:

1. A method of fabricating an energy storage device comprising the steps of:

forming an anode comprising an array of spaced elongated structures extending from a substrate, wherein the elongated structures comprise silicon;

forming a cathode; and

arranging the anode and cathode in communication to form a battery.

US Patent 8017284 - Nano-carbon fiber electrode for fuel cell

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/8017284.html

This patent from Samsung includes some broad claims for high strength and high conductivity electrodes based on nano-carbon fiber. Claim 1 reads:

1. An electrode for a fuel cell, comprising:

an electrode substrate composed of nano-carbon fiber, the electrode substrate having a pore size ranging from 0.1 nm to 300 μm; and

a catalyst layer formed on the electrode substrate.

US Patent 8017272 - Anode of a lithium battery formed from CNT films

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/8017272.html

In order to achieve high storage capacity tin is used as an anode material for lithium batteries but has a limited lifespan under repeated charge/discharge operations. This patent from Hon Hai Precision (Foxconn) teaches how to combine carbon nanotubes  with tin oxide nanoparticles to improve the lifespan of lithium battery anodes. Claim 1 reads:

1. A method for fabricating an anode of a lithium battery, the method comprising the steps of:

(a) providing an array of carbon nanotubes;

(b) pulling out, by using a tool, at least two carbon nanotube films from the array of carbon nanotubes to form a carbon nanotube film structure; and

(c) dispersing a plurality of nanoscale tin oxide particles in the carbon nanotube film structure to form a composite film.

US Patent 8017191 - Fast DPN® dipping

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/8017191.html

This patent from NanoInk teaches how faster dipping used in Dip Pen Nanolithography® can provide better printing, including higher resolution, more reproducibility, and less wicking. Claim 1 reads:

1. A method of dipping a nanoscopic probe comprising the steps of:

dipping a nanoscopic tip at a dipping rate into an inkwell comprising ink, wherein the rate of dipping is at least 10 microns/second,

refracting the nanoscopic tip at a refraction rate, wherein the retraction rate is at least 10 microns/second,

wherein the nanoscopic tip is retracted immediately after the nanoscopic tip is dipped into the inkwell.

US Patent 8017061 - Plant and soil treatment using nanotechnology

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/8017061.html

Plants and soil are traditionally provided with nutrients or pesticides using liquid spray, solid powder, or gas dispensing. This patent teaches how nanopolymer fibers can also provide delivery of nutrients or pesticides while being less susceptible to rain and wind than the traditional delivery methods. Claim 1 reads: 

1. Method for the output of nanoscaled polymer fibers and tubes or hollow fibers as carriers for agricultural or agriculturally useful active substances, said carriers being in a state loaded or unloaded with such active substances, wherein the output occurs through use of the procedure of electrospinning and wherein the farmland or/and plants found thereon or/and seeds found thereon or therein, or seeds without surrounding soil are used as counter electrodes.

US Patent 8014188 - CNT ReRAM

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/8014188.html

This patent from Toshiba teaches a type of memory resistor structure formed from carbon nanotubes. Claim 1 reads:

1. An electric element, comprising:

a pair of electrodes; and

a plurality of powder-condensed and solidified carbon nanotubes of three-dimensional network structure which are located between the pair of electrodes.

US Patent 8013324 - Structurally stabilized semiconductor nanowire

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/8013324.html

There have already been numerous patented designs for sublithographic field effect transistors based on nanowire channels having a surrounding gate structure. This patent from IBM proposes such a nanoFET design with improved structural stability. Claim 1 reads:

1. A semiconductor structure comprising:

a semiconductor nanowire having a constant-width portion located between a first end portion and a second end portion, wherein said constant-width portion has a constant first initial width between said first end portion and said second end portion;

a first semiconductor pad located on a substrate and adjoining said first end portion of said semiconductor nanowire, wherein said first end portion has a second initial width that is greater than said first initial width at an interface with said first semiconductor pad;

a second semiconductor pad located on said substrate and adjoining said second end portion of said semiconductor nanowire, wherein said second end portion has a first width that is greater than said second initial width at an interface with said second semiconductor pad;

a channel region located in said constant-width portion of said semiconductor nanowire and having a doping of a first conductivity type;

a gate dielectric located on and surrounding said channel region; and

a gate electrode located on and surrounding said gate dielectric.

US Patent 8013247 - SWCNT transmission line

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/8013247.html

This patent from the MITRE Corporation teaches a way to form transmission lines and inductors from single walled carbon nanotubes to enable smaller antenna and sensor devices. Claim 1 reads:

1. A transmission line, comprising:

(a) a bundle of approximately 10,000 single-walled carbon nanotubes;

(b) a conductive sheet, wherein the bundle of approximately 10,000 single-walled carbon nanotubes is supported in a plane above the conductive sheet.

US Patent 8012289 - Release substrates fabricated from nanoparticles

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/8012289.html

In semiconductor processing it is occasionally useful to have a detachable release substrate more compatible with the manufacturing steps than the final substrate. This patent from Silicon on Insulator Technologies teaches the advantage of using nanoparticles in such a release substrate in order to simplify release after annealing process steps. Claim 1 reads:

1. A method of fabricating a release substrate of semiconductor materials, which comprises

forming a reversible connection between two substrate release layers by providing a connecting layer of a first material, and

providing a concentrated zone of solid nanoparticles of a second material that is different from the first material in the connecting layer to facilitate release of the substrate release layers, with the connecting layer having a bonding energy that is substantially constant even when the release substrate is exposed to heat treatment.

US Patent 8012278 - End-to-end joining of nanotubes

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/8012278.html

This patent is based on research from the University of Pittsburgh and teaches a method to interconnect longer chains of nanotubes. Claim 1 reads:

1. A method for joining nanotubes end-to-end, comprising:

contacting the nanotubes with a treating fluid, the treating fluid being retained by the ends of the nanotubes; removing bulk treating fluid; and

contacting the nanotubes with a joining fluid which is immiscible in the treating fluid, the joining fluid having at least one physiochemical property that is different from at least one physiochemical property of a treating fluid retained within the ends of the nanotubes to effect end-to-end joining of the nanotubes.

US Patent 8011990 - Improving emission of CNT electron emitters

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/8011990.html

This patent from E.I. du Pont teaches a way to improve the emission properties of of carbon nanotube pastes used as field emitters in flat panel displays. Claim 1 reads:

1. A method for improving the emission current of a field emitter device that comprises an electron field emitter comprising carbon nanotubes on a surface, comprising

applying a liquid material to the surface;

heating the liquid material to form a material having adhesive contact with the surface; and

separating the adhesive material from the surface.

US Patent 8011697 - Nanojewelry

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/8011697.html

This patent from Nanojewelry LLC includes some broad claims for nanoscale patterns formed as surface decorations for pins, display pieces, trophies, pendants, rings, class rings, or other jewelry and gems. Claim 1 reads:

1. An apparatus, comprising:

an object; and

a medium defining imagery having a plurality of nano-scale or micro-scale portions, the medium being coupled to the object;

wherein the medium comprises silicon oxide having a predetermined thickness; and

wherein the medium is made using semiconductor processing techniques.

US Patent 8011296 - Supercritical fluid assisted printing of nanoparticles

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/8011296.html

This patent from Micron Technology discloses a high throughput deposition method for a pattern of nanoparticles using a maskless technique which does not require photolithography. Claim 1 reads:

1. A system for the maskless writing of a pattern on a substrate, comprising:

a support;

an unmasked substrate supported by the support;

a discharge assembly for masklessly discharging a solution directly to a surface of the unmasked substrate, the solution comprising nanometer-sized particles dissolved or dispersed in a supercritical fluid; and

a charging device for electrically charging the nanometer-sized particles.