US Patent 7785496 - Electrochromatic nanoparticle ink

http://ip.com/patent/US7785496

A variety of nanoparticle-based inks have been developed over the past years to be used as low-cost patterning of metal layers in semiconductor devices. This patent from Clemson University also teaches a nanoparticle-based ink but instead of metal patterns the ink is used to fabricate electrochromatic displays. Claim 1 reads:

1. A printable ink comprising

a carrier liquid;

a plurality of a first composite particle dispersed within the carrier liquid, the first composite particle having a maximum cross sectional diameter of less than about 500 nanometers, the first composite particle including a plurality of nanoparticles and an intrinsically conductive polymer, the first composite particle having a conductivity between about 1×10−4 S/cm and about 10 S/cm; and

a monomeric dopant in the intrinsically conductive polymer;

wherein the printable ink is an electrochromic ink, the first composite particles exhibiting a color change upon a change in the electrical state of the ink.

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%.

US Patent 7598723 - Resonance detection nanoantenna

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7598723.html

This patent from Clemson University teaches a method of using micro- or nano-cantilevered structures to produce induced electric fields for resonance detection. Claim 1 reads:

1. A method of detecting resonance in an element comprising:

locating a counter electrode a predetermined distance from an element such that the element and the counter electrode are in a non-contact mode, wherein the element comprises a semi-conductive material or a carbon nanotube and has a length of less than about 500 μm and a width of less than about 50 μm;

inducing an electrostatic force on the element by applying a first electric signal to the counter electrode;

generating a second electric signal at the semi-conductive material or the carbon nanotube in direct response to the induced electrostatic force;

directly examining the second electric signal and;

ascertaining the presence of at least one subharmonic or superharmonic of the resonant frequency of the element in the second electric signal.

US Patent 7456972 - Surface plasmon induction in MWCNTs

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7456972.html

Surface plasmon resonance is an effect commonly associated with biosensor applications and for which metal coated dielectric nanoparticles are being used as the resonant material. However, such metal nanoshells can be difficult to fabricate and cause unwanted heat generation. this patent from Clemson university teaches an alternative way to achieve the SPR effect using carbon nanotubes. Claim 1 reads:

1. An optical device comprising:

a carbon nanotube, wherein surface plasmons exist on the carbon nanotube;

a substrate, wherein the substrate allows the coupling of photons with the surface plasmons to give rise to surface plasmon polaritons;

a light source, wherein the light source provides photons to a first end of the carbon nanotube to give rise to the surface plasmon polaritons, and photonic energy is radiated from the surface plasmon polaritons at a second end of the carbon nanotube; and

a detector for detecting the photonic energy radiated from the surface plasmon polaritons.