US Patent 8030833 - Metal nanowire electron emitter

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/8030833.html

Carbon nanomaterials have been popular  materials considered for Surface Emission Displays (SEDs) or Field Emission Displays (FEDs) due to their high emission efficiency but fabrication of large area arrays can be difficult. This patent from the University of Illinois teaches alternative nanomaterials for field emission based on gold or silver nanowires. Claim 1 reads:

1. An apparatus, comprising:

a substrate;

a plurality of freestanding nanowires attached to the substrate, the nanowires each being monocrystalline and including at least one of gold and silver; and

wherein the nanowires each include a respective free end, each have a first dimension of 500 nanometers or less, and each have a second dimension extending from the substrate to the respective free end, the second dimension being at least 5 times greater than the first dimension; and

wherein the nanowires contact a substrate surface composed of a dielectric.

US Patent 7622437 - Nanoparticle blood clot agent

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This patent from the University of Illinois teaches a phospholipid nanoparticle composition which enhances certain proteins ability to trigger blood coagulation. Claim 1 reads:

1. A method for controlling bleeding in a human or animal patient, said method comprising the step of administering, in an amount effective to control bleeding in said patient a composition comprising nanoscale particles comprising tissue factor or recombinant tissue factor, a membrane scaffold protein and phospholipid, wherein the phospholipid comprises a net-negatively charged phospholipid, and wherein said nanoscale particles are attached to a solid support, whereby bleeding in said patient is controlled.

US Patent 7521394 - TiO nanofiber

US Patent 7521394

Titanium oxide is useful to create white pigments, as a photocatalyst, or in photovoltaic energy conversion. Forming nanostructures for TiO can enhance the utility of the material by providing more reactive surface area. This patent from the University of Illinois teaches a method of making a new TiO nanostructure capable of producing larger quantities at lower cost. Claim 1 reads:

1. A nanofiber, comprising: anatase titanium oxide, where the nanofiber has a longest dimension of at least 2 micrometers, and an aspect ratio greater than 20:1.

US Patent 7479404 - Nanoporous photonic crystal biosensor

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This patent from the University of Illinois teaches a cheaper method of manufacturing high sensitivity protein sensors based on nanoporous films. Claim 16 reads:

16. A method of making a sensor comprising:

(a) curing a layer of nanoporous material having a low refractive index onto a substrate;

(b) depositing a high dielectric constant dielectric material on top of the nanoporous material; and

(c) patterning the high dielectric constant dielectric material into a sub-wavelength period grating structure.

US Patent 7429369 - Manufacture of silicon nanoparticle nanotubes

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This patent from the University of Illinois describes a manufacturing procedure for a new type of nanotube formed from individual silicon nanoparticles which may have some benefits to biomedical applications and flexible electronics. Claim 1 reads:

1. A method for forming silicon nanoparticle nanotubes, the method comprising steps of:

disposing a conductive or semiconductive substrate in a solution including a dispersion of silicon nanoparticles, said disposing being done in a manner to avoid a meniscus being formed on a surface of the substrate; disposing a thick electrode opposite the surface of the substrate;

applying electrical potential between the substrate and the thick electrode; maintaining the electrical potential between the substrate and the thick electrode to form a thin film of silicon nanoparticles on the substrate; and

drying the thin film to induce it to roll into a silicon nanoparticle nanotube;

wherein the area and thickness of the thin film is such that a diameter of the silicon nanoparticle nanotube is at least about 100 times greater than the thickness of the thin film.

US Patent 7281419 - Plural scanning probe tips formed of different materials and radius

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The use of scanning probe technology originated in the 1980's for microscopy on the nanoscale and has gradually been applied to other nanoscale operations such as lithography, mask repair, and data storage. This patent from the University of Illinois teaches the use of scanning probe tips formed of differing materials and sizes on a common probe array to enable a wider range of operations such as multiple resolution processing. Claim 1 reads:

1. A probe array, comprising: a handle, a first probe, comprising a first shank, connected to the handle, and a first tip having a radius of curvature of at least 300 nm, a second probe, comprising a second shank, connected to the handle, and a second tip having a radius of curvature less than 300 nm; where the first tip and the second tip are made of different materials, and the first tip comprises an elastomer.