US Patent 8142516 - Self-cleaning skin-line prosthetic using nanotubes

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/8142516.html

This patent from UT-Battelle teaches using carbon nanotubes to improve the thermal conductivity of synthetic skin-like polymers for prosthetic devices. Claim 1 reads: 

1. An external covering for hiding the internal endoskeleton of a mechanical device that provides skin-like qualities, the external covering comprising:

an internal bulk layer having a first side and a second side with the first side being in contact with the internal endoskeleton of the mechanical device; and

an external skin layer comprising a polymer composite with carbon nanotubes embedded therein disposed about the second side of the bulk layer, the orientation and spacing of the carbon nanotubes being predetermined to provide the skin layer with a gradient of mechanical properties;

the skin layer having an inner surface and an outer surface;

the inner surface being in contact with the bulk layer and the outer surface having multiple cone-shaped projections;

wherein the cone-shaped projections provide the external skin layer with superhydrophobicity, while the embedded carbon nanotubes provide the skin layer with enhanced thermal conductivity;

wherein the external skin layer has a higher level of toughness than the internal bulk layer.

US Patent 8052951 - CNTs grown on bulk materials

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/8052951.html

This patent from UT-Battelle teaches a way to use different types of support substrates on which to grow carbon nanotube materials and includes some broad claims covering bulk nanotube structures. Claim 1 reads:

1. A bulk nanotube structure comprising:

a bulk support media;

a metal catalyst species comprising aluminum disposed adjacent the bulk support media; and

a plurality of carbon nanotubes disposed adjacent the metal catalyst species.

US Patent 7857993 - Nanocomposite scintillator

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7857993.html

Scintillators are materials that emit light upon absorbing ionized particles and are a primary component for radiation detectors. However, neutron detection can be difficult with scintillators due to their lack of ionization. This patent from UT-Battelle teaches using fluorescent nanocrystals (quantum dots) to improve the reliability and emission intensity of scintillators. Claim 1 reads: 

1. A composite scintillator comprising a non-fluorescent transparent matrix containing therein microscale spheres encapsulating fluorescent nano-sized objects and a neutron target material.

US Patent 7815973 - Condensed phase conversion and growth of nanorods

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

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

1. A method, comprising:

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

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

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

US Patent 7811632 - Molecular jet growth of CNTs

http://ip.com/patent/US7811632

Chemical vapor deposition (CVD) methods are currently seen to be the only practical way to mass produce large arrays of carbon nanotubes. However, CVD produces undesirable byproducts affecting the purity and quality of the nanotube arrays. This patent from UT-Battelle teaches an alternative approach using molecular beams which could result in practical mass production with improved purity. Claim 1 reads:   

1. A method of growing an array of essentially vertically aligned carbon nanotubes comprising the step of

impinging a beam of acetylene molecules on to a substrate to effect an acetylene incidence rate ranging from about 1.5×1018 molecules/cm2 per second to about 5.3×1018 molecules/cm2 per second to grow a continuous array of essentially vertically aligned carbon nanotubes on an entire deposition surface of the substrate at a growth temperature ranging from about 540° C. to about 740° C.,

wherein the acetylene incidence rate provides a crowding effect between adjacent carbon nanotubes during growth that results in vertical orientation of the array of essentially vertically aligned carbon nanotubes.

US Patent 7608824 - Doped carbon nanostructrure for infrared imaging

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7608824.html

This patent from UT-Battelle teaches the use of the field emission properties of carbon nanotubes to achieve infrared imaging. Claim 1 reads:

1. A detector for detecting infrared photons comprising:

at least one anode;

at least one cathode further comprising a substrate electrically connected to a plurality of doped carbon nanostructures; and

bias circuitry for applying an electric field between said anode and said cathode such that when infrared photons are absorbed by said nanostructures the emitted field current is modulated for use in a readout portion of said circuitry.

US Patent 7552636 - Nanomechanical gyroscope

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7552636.html

This patent from UT-Battelle teaches a gyroscope formed with dimensions small enough to be influenced by quantum phase interference effects. Claim 1 reads:

1. A nanomechanical (NEMS) gyroscope, comprising:

an integrated circuit substrate;

a pair of spaced apart contact pads disposed on said substrate, and

a movable nanoscale element forming at least a portion of a first electrically conductive path electrically coupling said contact pads, wherein said movable element experiences movement comprising rotation, changes in rotation, or oscillation upon said gyroscope experiencing angular velocity or angular acceleration, said movement inducing phase changes in current flow through said movable element.