US Patent 8189636 - Electrical overstress indicator using nanocrystal coating

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/8189636.html

Finisar Corporation is a global technology leader in optical communication components and subsystems. This patent from Finisar teaches how nanocrystals can be used to visibly indicate electrical stress in lasers. Claim 1 reads:

1. A laser comprising:

an active area;

a metal contact region in electrical communication with the active area; and

a coating on the contact region configured to manifest a change in a visual attribute of the coating in response to exposure of the contact region to an electrical overstress event,

wherein the coating includes nano-crystals that are configured to change direction such that the nano-crystals are substantially oriented along a discharge path of the electrical overstress event such that this change of orientation results in a change of color.

US Patent 8188494 - White LED with nanowire light conversion

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/8188494.html

This patent from HP teaches forming a white light LED using a single UV or blue LED and nanoparticle material to convert the blue light to light including green and red wavelengths. Claim 1 reads:

1. An apparatus comprising:

a light emitting diode that is for outputting light comprising a blue wavelength;

a nanowire or nanoparticle coupled to a surface of said light emitting diode;

a second nanowire or nanoparticle coupled to said surface of said light emitting diode, wherein said nanowire is doped differently than said second nanowire; and

an electrode coupled to said light emitting diode, wherein said nanowire or nanoparticle is for receiving and converting said light into red and green light that is output from said nanowire or nanoparticle.                             

US Patent 8188005 - TiO2 nanoparticles for promoting plant growth

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/8188005.html

Titanium oxide nanomaterials have been found useful for solar cells and memory resistors. This latest patent teaches how TiO2 nanoparticles can assist in photosynthesis and promote plant growth. Claim 1 reads:

1. A liquid composition for promoting plant growth containing titanium dioxide nanoparticles, wherein the liquid composition contains, as an active ingredient, an aqueous solution prepared by adjusting the pH of colloidal titanium dioxide, a plant growth promoting component, to 0.4-0.6, in order to prevent rapid precipitation of the colloidal titanium dioxide, and then diluting the colloidal titanium dioxide with water to a predetermined concentration.

US Patent 8187955 - Graphene growth on a carbon-containing semiconductor layer

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/8187955.html

This patent from IBM teaches growing graphene films on 200mm or 300mm silicon wafers using a double annealing process. Claim 1 reads:

1. A method of forming a graphene layer including at least one graphene monolayer, said method comprising:

forming a semiconductor-carbon alloy layer comprising a material other than crystalline silicon carbide on a semiconductor substrate;

converting said semiconductor-carbon alloy layer into a semiconductor carbide layer by a first anneal; and

converting an exposed top portion of said semiconductor carbide layer into a graphene layer including at least one graphene monolayer by a second anneal.

US Patent 8187638 - Preferential killing of cancer cells witn ZnO nanoparticles

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/8187638.html

This patent from Boise State University is based on the finding that zinc oxide nanoparticles induce toxicity in rapidly dividing cells and can be applied to treatments for cancer and autoimmune deficiency. Claim 1 reads:

1. A method of killing cancer cells, the method comprising:

providing a cancer cell in the presence of a healthy cell, wherein the cancer cell is from leukemia and/or lymphoma;

contacting the cancer cell and the healthy cell with a ZnO nanoparticle, wherein the ZnO nanoparticle has a preferential association with the cancer cell over the healthy cell, and wherein a targeting ligand is not associated with the ZnO nanoparticle; and

killing the cancer cell.

US Patent 8187354 - Formation of nanofibrous filtration media

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/8187354.html

HVAC air filters made from microglass fibers and blends are brittle and can pose a health hazard. This patent from E.I. du Pont teaches using polymeric nanofibers to form air filters having the efficiency of microglass filters but without the health risk. Claim 1 reads:

1. A process for forming a composite fabric, comprising

electroblowing a web of polymeric nanofibers and a solvent therefor onto a moving support web comprising larger fibers spun from a material which is compatible with said nanofiber polymer, and

applying a vacuum pressure between about 4 mm H₂O and 170 mm H₂O to the combined webs to solvent-bond the nanofiber web to the support web.                             

US Patent 8187255 - Nanoporous coatings for controlled therapeutic agent delivery

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/8187255.html

In conventional methods of drug delivery diffusion rates of the drug decay over time. This patent from Boston Scientific teaches how nanoporous materials can be used to help solve this problem and better regulate the release of therapeutic agents. Claim 1 reads:

1. A medical device comprising

a substrate,

a porous reservoir containing a therapeutic agent disposed over the substrate,

a nanoporous layer disposed over the porous reservoir, and

a plugged aperture located within the substrate or the nanoporous layer,

wherein said medical device releases said therapeutic agent in vivo, wherein said plugged aperture is located within the nanoporous layer.

US Patent 8186598 - Credit card with quantum dot indicia

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/8186598.html

There has been an interest in developing transparent credit and bank cards but there is difficulty for these cards to be read by ATM machines. This patent from American Express teaches using quantum dot ink for detection by ATM sensors. Claim 1 reads:

1. A card having a portion comprising:

a layer that is at least one of translucent and transparent; and

a first infrared blocking compound associated with said layer, wherein said first infrared blocking compound comprises a quantum dot compound.

US Patent 8184930 - Titania nanotube

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/8184930.html

Titanium dioxide is a useful material for photocatalysts, solar cells, and memory resistors. This patent from Sumitomo Chemical Company includes some broad claims to TiO2 nanotubes having a long length. Claim 1 reads:

1. A titania nanotube having a length of 10 μm or more.

US Patent 8183945 - Nanowire oscillator

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/8183945.html

In order to miniaturize some applications such as such as gas-phase chemical sensors, molecular force sensors and mass spectrometers to the nanoscale it is necessary to build nanoscale oscillators. This patent from Commissariat a l'Energie Atomique teaches one such oscillator built from nanowire structures. Claim 1 reads:

1. An oscillator comprising:

a first set of a multiple of four sub-assemblies connected in series in a closed loop, each sub-assembly comprising:

one nanowire constituting an electromechanical resonator with a first terminal connected to a first supply voltage and a second terminal constituting an output terminal of the sub-assembly, and

excitation means of the resonator with an input terminal constituting an excitation terminal of the sub-assembly,

wherein, the output terminal of each sub-assembly is grounded by means of a corresponding resistive circuit and is connected to the excitation terminal of the following sub-assembly; and

an output terminal formed by an output terminal of one of the sub-assemblies.                             

US Patent 8183554 - Memresistor crossbar structure with built-in rectification

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/8183554.html

ReRAM is a new type of non-volatile memory architecture which is predicted to begin replacing Flash, DRAM, and SRAM as a "universal memory" by 2013. One of the problems with ReRAM memory arrays is the existence of sneak paths which limit the size and density of the memory cells. There are some approaches using diodes and other non-linear elements to avoid sneak paths but these solutions result in asymmetrical write/erase voltages. This is one of my patents teaching crossbar architectures which avoid sneak paths while providing symmetry in write and erase voltages. Claim 5 reads:

5. A crossbar structure comprising:

a first layer or layers including a first array of p-type input wires and a first array of n-type output wires;

a second layer or layers including a second array of p-type input wires and a second array of n-type output wires; and

a resistance programmable material formed between the first layer(s) and the second layer(s),

wherein the first array of p-type input wires are not parallel with the second array of n-type output wires and the second array of p-type input wires are not parallel with the first array of n-type output wires.                             

US Patent 8183180 - Drilling fluid including graphene

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/8183180.html

This patent from William Marsh Rice University includes some broad claims for gas and oil drilling fluids in which graphene is used to help prevent the penetration of the drilling fluid into rock formations and reduce wear on drilling tools. Claim 1 reads:

1. A drilling fluid comprising a graphene,

wherein the graphene is selected from the group consisting of chemically converted graphene, chemically converted graphene prepared by a reduction of graphite oxide, chemically converted graphene functionalized with a plurality of aryl groups, graphene functionalized with a plurality of aryl groups, graphene functionalized with a plurality of alkyl groups, functionalized graphite oxide, graphite oxide that has been functionalized through esterification or amidation of carboxylic acid groups, graphite oxide that has been functionalized with a plurality of alkyl groups, graphite oxide that has been functionalized with a plurality of aryl groups, reduced graphite oxide, and combinations thereof.                             

US Patent 8183167 - Wash-durable, antimicrobial and antifungal textiles using nanoparticles

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/8183167.html

NanoHorizons, Inc. is a company which manufactures nanoparticles that provide permanent, safe, effective, and economical antimicrobial protection in a variety of products. This patent includes some basic claims to nanoparticle enhanced fabrics that retain their antimicrobial properties after repeated washings. Claim 1 reads:

1. A wash-durable fabric substrate comprising at least 1% synthetic polymer fiber by weight of the total weight of said substrate,

wherein said substrate includes an antimicrobial/antifungal agent that exhibits at least a 24 h kill rate of 99.9% for bacteria, and

wherein said wash-durable fabric substrate retains antimicrobial or antifungal properties after said wash-durable fabric has been laundered and dried after a minimum of 25 wash cycles,

wherein the synthetic polymer fiber comprises an extrusion of a substantially uniform mixture of at least one polymer and silver nanoparticles,

wherein the polymer fiber comprises from about 0.005% to about 0.075% silver by weight.                             

US Patent 8182917 - Reduced graphene oxide film

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/8182917.html

This patent is based on research conducted by the U.S. Navy and teaches producing a large area of thin film graphene oxide which is chemically reduced to produce a molecular sensing device. Claim 1 reads:

1. A film comprising overlapping platelets of reduced graphene oxide; wherein the film is from about 1 nm to about 100 nm thick; and wherein the film is in contact with a contoured substrate such that portions of the film are suspended above the substrate.

US Patent 8182807 - Inhibiting stroke or brain trauma with nanoparticles

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/8182807.html

This patent from the University of Nebraska Medical Center teaches biodegradable polymer nanoparticles which may help prevent injuries due to head trauma, a stroke, or cardiac arrest. Claim 1 reads:

1. A method for inhibiting reperfusion injury in the brain comprising administering an effective amount of an antioxidant,

wherein said antioxidant is formulated in a biodegradable nanoparticle and administered via the carotid artery to a subject having cerebral ischemia,

said nanoparticle providing sustained release of said antioxidant, thereby inhibiting reperfusion injury in the brain of said subject.

US Patents 8182554/8182555 - ZnO nanoparticle fuels for cold start conditions

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/8182554.html
http://www.freepatentsonline.com/8182555.html

These patents teaches a fuel composition including zinc oxide nanoparticles designed to decrease harmful exhaust emissions while increasing the octane rating. Claim 1 of the '555 patent reads:

1. A fuel composition comprising:

a liquid fuel;

suspended within the liquid fuel from about 5 ppm to about 60 ppm of nano-sized zinc oxide particles,

wherein at least about 95% by weight of the nano-sized zinc oxide particles having a size from about 1 nm to about 70 nm; and

from about 0.001% to about 0.5% by weight of a surfactant.

US Patent 8181941 - Hydrogen storage using nanobubbles

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/8181941.html

This patent is from HCE LLC and teaches how to form nanobubbles in a liquid for storing hydrogen in a stable medium which is claimed to have a volumetric energy density about the same as that of gasoline. Claim 1 reads:

1. A quasi-liquid comprising a gas stored within bubbles of less than 5 nanometers in diameter and greater than about 0.8 nanometers in diameter, wherein the bubble comprises a spherical skin that is different matter than the gas.

US Patent 8179028 - Piezoelectric nanowires

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/8179026.html

This patent from the University of Massachusetts teaches forming piezoelectric sensors and actuators of microsized and nanosized dimensions. Claim 1 reads:


1. A device comprising:

a pair of electrodes; and

a nanorod and/or a nanowire;

the nanorod and/or nanowire comprising a piezoelectric and/or pyroelectric polymeric composition;

the pair of electrodes being in electrical communication with opposing surfaces of the nanorod and/or a nanowire;

the pair of electrodes being perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the nanorod and/or a nanowire.

US Patent 8178842 - Nanowire bolometer photodetector

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/8178842.html

Bolometers are used in night vision sensors to convert infrared into visible light but are often limited to a narrow band of wavelengths that can be detected. This patent from HP teaches increasing the bandwidth of wavelengths that can be detected by using semiconductor nanowires. Claim 1 reads:

1. A photodetector comprising at least one bolometer nanowire disposed at least partially within a photon trap, wherein said nanowire comprises a blackened surface configured to absorb from far-infrared to visible light.

US Patent 8178402 - Self-assembly of CNT transistors

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/8178402.html

This patent from Intel teaches how to align and immobilize carbon nanotubes as the channels of field effect transistors using molecular functionalization of the ends of the nanotubes. Claim 1 reads:

1. A method comprising:

selectively severing a portion of a carbon nanotube;

functionalizing an exposed portion of the carbon nanotube, wherein opposed ends of said carbon nanotubes are functionalized differently; and

placing the carbon nanotube on a transistor substrate, wherein a source region of the transistor substrate attracts one end of said carbon nanotube and a drain region attracts the opposite end of said carbon nanotube.

US Patent 8178165 - Fabricating a long-range ordered periodic array of nano-features

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/8178165.html

The use of nanoporous templates and self-assembly are common techniques for nanoscale fabrication but have a limited footprint for the area of fabrication. This patent based on research from the University of California teaches a way to extend nanoscale patterned areas to the order of square centimeters. Claim 1 reads:

1. A nanoscale patterning method, comprising:

disposing a material to be patterned on a substrate, wherein the material comprises an ordered region of periodically arranged nano-features; and

moving a heat source relative to the material at a non-uniform sweeping speed to induce an expansion of the ordered region, thereby patterning the material with a long-range ordered periodic array of nano-features

US Patent 8178028 - Laser patterning of nanotube network

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/8178028.html

This patent from Samsung includes some broad claims for forming transparent electrodes from carbon nanotubes patterned by laser etching. Claim 1 reads:

1. A method for patterning a nanostructure-film, comprising:

etching a nanostructure-film with a laser, wherein the nanostructure-film includes at least one interconnected network of carbon nanotubes.                             

Panasonic first to release starter kit for ReRAM

Panasonic recently issued a press release reporting the first ReRAM (memresistor) test kit for microcontroller applications (link) providing the advantage of lower energy requirement than competing non-volatile memory. Based on the (Google translated) press release Panasonic's ReRAM is based on a 1T1R (1 transistor-1 resistor) tantalum oxide memory resistor. Some details on Panasonic's issued US patents relative to other companies is available at:

http://memresistor.wordpress.com/article/business-landscape-for-memresistor-electronics/

US Patent 8178006 - Nanofiber aggregate

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/8178006.html

This patent from Denso Corporation teaches a heat treatment of electrically conductive carbon nanofibers to create an outer insulating layer of boron nitride nanofibers. Claim 1 reads:

1. An electrically conductive carbon wire comprising a fiber aggregate, wherein:

fine carbon fibers form a core portion of the fiber aggregate; and

fine boron nitride fibers, which are formed by substituting carbon atoms of the fine carbon fibers by boron atoms and nitrogen atoms, form an outer layer portion of the fiber aggregate.

US Patent 8177979 - Water filtration with asymmetric nanotube membranes

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/8177979.html

NanOasis Technologies is a company using carbon nanotubes to manufacture reverse osmosis membranes to enable water desalination and purification. This patent includes some basic claims to NanoOasis's approach. Claim 1 reads:

1. A water filtration method, comprising

passing water through a membrane to filter the water,

wherein the membrane comprises an asymmetric porous polymer and terminating on one side in a skin, with open-ended nanotubes embedded in said skin and protruding through opposite surfaces of said skin to provide fluid communication through each of said nanotubes through said membrane, and

said skin forming a substantially impermeable barrier around said nanotubes, said membrane having pores increasing in diameter with increasing distance from said skin.                             

US Patent 8177897 - Phase change inks containing CNTs

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/8177897.html

This patent from Xerox teaches using carbon nanotubes to improve the thermal stability and blackness of phase change inks used in inkjet printers. Claim 1 reads:

1. A phase change ink comprising

(a) a phase change ink carrier and

(b) a colorant wherein the colorant comprises carbon nanotubes wherein the carbon nanotubes have a length of about 500 micrometers to about 1,000 micrometers.

Pinched hysteresis loops are the fingerprint of square law capacitors

It has been claimed by the circuit theorist Leon Chua that it is impossible to reproduce the characteristics of a memristor using only resistors, capacitors, and inductors and thus the memristor should be considered a "fourth fundamental circuit element." Stan Williams of HP Labs has claimed that pinched hysteresis loops are the fingerprint of memristors and that, based on this argument, all forms of ReRAM, phase change memory, and MRAM which demonstrate pinched hysteresis should be considered memristors.

Recently I performed circuit simulations (see link below) showing that a resistor in parallel with a nonlinear capacitor also produces the pinched hysteresis fingerprint. Thus pinched hysteresis is insufficient evidence for a "fourth fundamental circuit element."

http://vixra.org/abs/1205.0008

US Patent 8174181 - Quantum dot LEDs

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/8174181.html

This patent from Philips Lumileds Lighting and M.I.T. has priority going back to 1998 and includes some basic claims for white and colored LEDs using quantum dots. Claim 1 reads:

1. A light emitting device comprising:

a primary light source; and

at least one layer in optical communication with the primary light source,

wherein the at least one layer comprises a matrix including a plurality of quantum dots having a polydisperse size distribution and adapted to convert primary light emitted by the primary light source to secondary light,

wherein the secondary light comprises a mixed color of light or white light.                             

US Patent 8174084 - CNT stress sensor

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/8174084.html

This patent from Intel teaches how carbon nanotubes can be used to understand the effects of stress on integrated circuits. Claim 1 reads:

1. A stress sensor comprising:

a die having an opening formed in a semiconductor substrate of the die said semiconductor substrate having a top surface;

a plurality of carbon nanotubes having first ends opposite second ends disposed in the opening wherein said plurality of carbon nanotubes are embedded within said semiconductor substrate wherein said plurality of carbon nanotubes are aligned in a direction parallel to said top surface of said semiconductor substrate; and

first and second contacts electrically connectable with the first and second ends of the plurality of carbon nanotubes, respectively.

US Patent 8173259 - Nanoparticle layers with CTE compensation

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/8173259.html

Mismatch of coefficients of thermal expansion (CTE) is a significant problem when attempting to interface silicon and polymer or organic substrates. This patent from Intel teaches how providing a gradient of nanoparticles can provide an interface to avoid problems from CTE mismatch. Claim 1 reads:

1. A structure comprising:

a first layer of at least one of a plurality of functionalized nanoparticles and polymer material disposed on a substrate, wherein the first layer comprises a physical property; and

a second layer of at least one of a plurality of functionalized nanoparticles and polymer material disposed on the first layer,

wherein the first layer comprises the physical property, and wherein at least one of the first layer and the second layer of functionalized nanoparticles comprises metallic functionalized nanoparticles; and

a property gradient extending from the first layer to the second layer.

US Patent 8173060 - Manufacturing directional conductivity nanocomposite

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/8173060.html

This patent from Empire Technology Development teaches a way to assemble metal nanorods to create anisotropic electrical or thermal conductivity in materials which may be useful to electronics packaging. Claim 1 reads:

1. A method for manufacturing a directional conductivity nanocomposite material, comprising:

placing a nanorod deposit on a gel;

applying either an electrical or a magnetic field through the gel to the nanorod deposit effective to move nanorods of the nanorod deposit to a desired position in the gel;

reinforcing the nanorods in the desired position;

removing the gel; and

flowing a supporting material around the nanorods to surround and support the nanorods in the desired position effective to manufacture the directional conductivity nanocomposite material.

US Patent 8172925 - Air filter with antimicrobial nanoparticles

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/8172925.html

This patent from Korea Institute of Science and Technology teaches an improvement to air filters used in vehicles in which metal nanoparticles are used as an antimicrobial agent. Claim 1 reads:

1. A multi-functional cabin air filter, comprising:

a dust collecting filter layer for collecting fine dust;

an oxidation catalyst filter layer for oxidizing nitrogen monoxide into nitrogen dioxide; and

an adsorption filter layer for adsorbing nitrogen dioxide and volatile organic compounds,

wherein antimicrobial nanoparticles are applied to at least one of the dust collecting filter layer, the oxidation catalyst filter layer and the adsorption filter layer.                             

arXiv vs. viXra

The arXiv was established in 1991 as an openly accessible resource for publishing preprints in various areas of science and mathematics and provides a mechanism for worldwide distribution prior to peer review. One issue that has emerged in recent years relating to the arXiv is the use of blacklisting to exclude researchers who are perceived as outside of the mainstream. There was an interesting online debate on the topic a few years ago (link) and a website (www.archivefreedom.org) was formed to document cases of blacklisted researchers (including Brian Josephson who won the Nobel Prize for the Josephson junction).

A new electronic preprint archive named viXra was set up in 2009 as an alternative to the arXiv in response to the blacklisting claims. Based on a brief review of the contents of viXra it seems some of the submissions are a little outlandish (such as efforts to disprove Einstein's theory of relativity). However, viXra does offer the feature of providing user feedback and may provide a good database for alternative theories in science and mathematics falling outside of the mainstream.

US Patent 8171568 - Positional diamondoid mechanosynthesis

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/8171568.html

Diamond mechanosythesis is a slightly more realistic offshoot of the suggestions by Eric Drexler regarding bottom-up molecular nanotechnology. Although most of the ideas in this area appear to me to be based more on computational modeling than experimental reality this latest patent teaches a type of tooltip which (if enabled) may provide a route to bottom-up nanoassembly. Claim 1 reads:

1. A tooltip for performing a site-specific mechanosynthetic chemical reaction wherein a reactant or plurality of reactants are selected from the group consisting of the carbon group and non-metal elements, excluding the noble gases, the tooltip comprising:

a first atom or plurality of atoms arranged in an engineered atomically precise molecular structure in which either or both the bonding pattern and the electronic state of said first atom or plurality of atoms is altered during said site-specific mechanosynthetic chemical reaction; and

a second atom or plurality of atoms affixed to said first atom or plurality of atoms, said second atom or plurality of atoms arranged in an engineered atomically precise molecular structure in which neither the bonding pattern nor the electronic state of said second atom or plurality of atoms is altered during said site-specific mechanosynthetic chemical reaction;

wherein there is a barrier to undesired reactions sufficient to achieve a desired reliability of operation at a given temperature because the application of mechanical force is required to drive a desired chemical reaction.

US Patent 8169768 - Electrostatic chuck including CNTs

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/8169768.html

Electrostatic chucks are used for holding wafers in place during semiconductor manufacturing processes. One defect in conventional electrostatic chucks is that they can warp and contaminate the wafers. This patent from KLA-Tencor teaches using carbon nanotube filled polymers as a material for forming electrostatic chucks to alleviate this problem. Claim 1 reads:

1. An electrostatic chuck for retaining a substrate, comprising:

a clamping surface for receiving the substrate, and formed of a hard polymeric material filled with carbon nanotubes,

electrodes disposed beneath the clamping surface for inducing localized electrostatic charges in the substrate and thereby retaining the substrate against the clamping surface, and

a base for supporting the clamping surface and the electrodes.

US Patent 8169223 - Ionization vacuum gauge with CNT anode

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/8169223.html

Ionization gauges are the most sensitive gauges for very low pressure. This patent from Foxconn teaches how carbon nanotube can be used as anodes in ionization gauges to reduce sensitivity to light and temperature in extreme vacuum environments. Claim 1 reads:

1. An ionization vacuum gauge, comprising:

a cathode;

an anode surrounding the cathode,

the anode is a carbon nanotube wire structure consisting of a plurality of carbon nanotubes; and

a hollow ion collector surrounding the anode.

US Patent 8168964 - High speed, low power graphene FET

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/8168964.html

This patent from NEC teaches a graphene-based transistor in which the electrodes, the channel, and the interconnections are all formed from graphene providing simpler manufacture and ease of integration of multiple transistors. Claim 1 reads:

1. A semiconductor device using a field effect, comprising:

a channel layer formed of semiconductor graphene;

electrode layers formed of metal graphene for a source, a drain, and a gate, the electrode layers serving as interconnections; and

a gate insulating layer for insulating the channel layer and the gate electrode layer from each other, wherein the channel layer and the electrode layers are located on the same plane;

wherein, the semiconductor graphene has an armchair edge with a width of 20 nm or less while the metal graphene has a zigzag edge with a width of 20 nm or less.

US Patent 8168550 - Extensible nonwoven webs containing monocomponent nanocomposite fibers

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/8168550.html

This patent from Procter Gamble teaches incorporation of nanofibers into nonwoven webs to achieve absorbent articles such as diapers and wipes that are softer and more extensible. Claim 1 reads:

1. A nonwoven web comprising monocomponent nanocomposite fibers, the nanocomposite fibers comprising:

a) a polymer composition; and

b) a nanoparticles composition, wherein the nonwoven web has an average elongation at peak load that is greater than the average elongation at peak load of a comparable web without nanocomposite fibers.

US Patent 8168457 - Shaped articles comprising semiconductor nanocrystals

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/8168457.html

This patent from Nanoco Technologies Limited includes some broad claims for shaped articles such as a lens embedded with luminescent nanocrystals useful to applications such as lighting and photovoltaics. Claim 1 reads:

1. A method of manufacturing a shaped article comprising a plurality of semiconductor nanocrystals, comprising:

(1) preparing a pre-form material by adding a plurality of semiconductor nanocrystals to a first material; and

(2) molding the pre-form material into the shape article, wherein the molding includes molding the pre-form material using at least one method selected from a group consisting of: injection molding, extrusion molding, blow molding, compression molding, contact molding, impression molding, press molding, and resin transfer molding.

US Patent 8168413 - Preparing luminescent nanodiamonds

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/8168413.html

This patent from Academia Sinica teaches luminescent nanodiamonds as an alternative to semiconductor nanocrystals for molecular biolabeling in order to avoid the toxicity of nanocrystals. Claim 1 reads:

1. A method of making luminescent diamond particles, comprising:

irradiating diamond particles with an ion beam, wherein the diamond particles have a diameter of 1 nm to 1 mm and 5 ppm to 1000 ppm color centers and the ion bean has a kinetic energy of 1 KeV to 900 MeV; and

heating the irradiated diamond particles in a non-oxidizing atmosphere at a temperature between 600 and 1000° C.; and

oxidizing the surface of the luminescent diamond particles.

US Patent 8168291 - Ceramic composite containing CNT infused fiber

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/8168291.html

This patent from Applied Nanostructured Solutions teaches forming composites using fibers with carbon nanotubes grown on the surface providing the advantages of EMI shielding and improved strength in materials such as concrete. Claim 1 reads:

1. A composite material comprising:

a sintered ceramic matrix; and

a carbon nanotube-infused fiber material distributed in the sintered ceramic matrix, wherein the carbon nanotube-infused fiber material comprises a fiber material, carbon nanotubes infused to the fiber material, and

a passivation layer overcoating the carbon nanotubes.

US Patent 8168089 - Nanoparticle ink for CIGS photovoltaics

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/8168089.html

This patent from Nanosolar teaches using non-oxide nanoparticles in a photovoltaic ink solution to enable low temperature, higher volume manufacture on flexible substrates. Claim 1 reads:

1. A method for fabricating a liquid containing intermixed elements of groups IB and IIIA, comprising the steps of:

forming non-oxide nanoparticles containing elemental elements from group IB; IIIA; and VIA;

intermixing the non-oxide nanoparticles; and

mixing the non-oxide nanoparticles to form a liquid that serves as an ink, wherein forming a mixture of non-oxide nanoparticles includes reacting a single-source precursor to form nanoparticles of IB-IIIA-VIA material.