Abstract: A method of fabricating a carbon nanotube based device, including forming a trench having a bottom surface and sidewalls on a substrate, selectively depositing a bi-functional compound having two reactive moieties in the trench, wherein a first of the two reactive moieties selectively binds to the bottom surface, converting a second of the two reactive moieties to a diazonium salt; and reacting the diazonium salt with a dispersion of carbon nanotubes to form a carbon nanotube layer bound to the bottom surface of the trench.

Abstract: A method of making a carbon nanotube structure includes depositing a first oxide layer on a substrate and a second oxide layer on the first oxide layer; etching a trench through the second oxide layer; removing end portions of the first oxide layer and portions of the substrate beneath the end portions to form cavities in the substrate; depositing a metal in the cavities to form first body metal pads; disposing a carbon nanotube on the first body metal pads and the first oxide layer such that ends of the carbon nanotube contact each of the first body metal layers; depositing a metal to form second body metal pads on the first body metal pads at the ends of the carbon nanotube; and etching to release the carbon nanotube, first body metal pads, and second body metal pads from the substrate, first oxide layer, and second oxide layer.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a carbon nanotube based device, including forming a trench having a bottom surface and sidewalls on a substrate, selectively depositing a bi-functional compound having two reactive moieties in the trench, wherein a first of the two reactive moieties selectively binds to the bottom surface, converting a second of the two reactive moieties to a diazonium salt; and reacting the diazonium salt with a dispersion of carbon nanotubes to form a carbon nanotube layer bound to the bottom surface of the trench.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a carbon nanotube based device, including forming a trench having a bottom surface and sidewalls on a substrate, selectively depositing a bifunctional compound having two reactive moieties in the trench, wherein a first of the two reactive moieties selectively binds to the bottom surface, converting a second of the two reactive moieties to a diazonium salt; and reacting the diazonium salt with a dispersion of carbon nanotubes to form a carbon nanotube layer bound to the bottom surface of the trench.

Abstract: A Schottky-barrier-reducing layer is provided between a p-doped semiconductor layer and a transparent conductive material layer of a photovoltaic device. The Schottky-barrier-reducing layer can be a conductive material layer having a work function that is greater than the work function of the transparent conductive material layer. The conductive material layer can be a carbon-material layer such as a carbon nanotube layer or a graphene layer. Alternately, the conductive material layer can be another transparent conductive material layer having a greater work function than the transparent conductive material layer. The reduction of the Schottky barrier reduces the contact resistance across the transparent material layer and the p-doped semiconductor layer, thereby reducing the series resistance and increasing the efficiency of the photovoltaic device.

Abstract: A computer-eimplemented method and thermal imaging device includes a layer of plasmonic material and a processor. The layer of plasmonic material receive electromagnetic radiation from an object and generates radiance measurements of the electromagnetic radiation at a plurality of wavelengths. The processor determines an emissivity and temperature of the object from the radiance measurements and forms a thermal-based electronic image of the object from the determined emissivity and temperature.

Abstract: A method of forming a chemical sensor includes forming a dielectric layer on an electrode. A carbon nanotube film is deposited on the dielectric layer. The carbon nanotube film is patterned into strips.

Abstract: A Schottky-barrier-reducing layer is provided between a p-doped semiconductor layer and a transparent conductive material layer of a photovoltaic device. The Schottky-barrier-reducing layer can be a conductive material layer having a work function that is greater than the work function of the transparent conductive material layer. The conductive material layer can be a carbon-material layer such as a carbon nanotube layer or a graphene layer. Alternately, the conductive material layer can be another transparent conductive material layer having a greater work function than the transparent conductive material layer. The reduction of the Schottky barrier reduces the contact resistance across the transparent material layer and the p-doped semiconductor layer, thereby reducing the series resistance and increasing the efficiency of the photovoltaic device.

Abstract: A method of making a carbon nanotube structure includes depositing a first oxide layer on a substrate and a second oxide layer on the first oxide layer; etching a trench through the second oxide layer; removing end portions of the first oxide layer and portions of the substrate beneath the end portions to form cavities in the substrate; depositing a metal in the cavities to form first body metal pads; disposing a carbon nanotube on the first body metal pads and the first oxide layer such that ends of the carbon nanotube contact each of the first body metal layers; depositing a metal to form second body metal pads on the first body metal pads at the ends of the carbon nanotube; and etching to release the carbon nanotube, first body metal pads, and second body metal pads from the substrate, first oxide layer, and second oxide layer.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a carbon nanotube based device, including forming a trench having a bottom surface and sidewalls on a substrate, selectively depositing a bi-functional compound having two reactive moieties in the trench, wherein a first of the two reactive moieties selectively binds to the bottom surface, converting a second of the two reactive moieties to a diazonium salt; and reacting the diazonium salt with a dispersion of carbon nanotubes to form a carbon nanotube layer bound to the bottom surface of the trench.

Abstract: A chemical sensor, methods of forming the same, and methods of performing chemical detection include a carbon nanotube test surface. A detector is configured to receive a signal from the carbon nanotube test surface responsive to illumination on the nanotube test surface. A matching module is configured to determine whether a chemical is present at the carbon nanotube test surface based on a comparison between the signal and a spectral profile of the chemical.

Abstract: Techniques for selective placement of carbon nanotubes using bifunctional acid monolayers are provided. In one aspect, a method for selective placement of carbon nanotubes on a metal oxide surface includes the steps of: dispersing poly-fluorene polymer-wrapped carbon nanotubes in an organic solvent; creating a patterned monolayer of a bifunctional acid on the metal oxide surface, wherein the bifunctional acid comprises a first acid functional group for binding to the metal oxide surface, and a second acid functional group for binding to the poly-fluorene polymer-wrapped carbon nanotubes; and contacting the poly-fluorene polymer-wrapped carbon nanotubes dispersed in the organic solvent with the patterned monolayer of the bifunctional acid on the metal oxide surface to selectively place the carbon nanotubes on the metal oxide surface via the patterned monolayer of the bifunctional acid. A carbon nanotube-based device and method of formation thereof are also provided.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a carbon nanotube based device, including forming a trench having a bottom surface and sidewalls on a substrate, selectively depositing a bi-functional compound having two reactive moieties in the trench, wherein a first of the two reactive moieties selectively binds to the bottom surface, converting a second of the two reactive moieties to a diazonium salt; and reacting the diazonium salt with a dispersion of carbon nanotubes to form a carbon nanotube layer bound to the bottom surface of the trench.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a carbon nanotube based device, including forming a trench having a bottom surface and sidewalls on a substrate, selectively depositing a bi-functional compound having two reactive moieties in the trench, wherein a first of the two reactive moieties selectively binds to the bottom surface, converting a second of the two reactive moieties to a diazonium salt; and reacting the diazonium salt with a dispersion of carbon nanotubes to form a carbon nanotube layer bound to the bottom surface of the trench.

Abstract: A method of protecting an in-vivo sensor includes forming a sensing surface on a surface of the in-vivo sensor, the sensing surface including a functionalized monolayer that will bind to an analyte of interest; and coating the sensing surface of the sensor with a bioabsorbable polymeric coating including a bioabsorbable polymer; wherein the bioabsorbable polymeric coating is configured to protect the in-vivo sensor until needed for implantation.

Abstract: Structures and methods that include selective electrostatic placement based on a dipole-to-dipole interaction of electron-rich carbon nanotubes onto an electron-deficient pre-patterned surface. The structure includes a substrate with a first surface having a first isoelectric point and at least one additional surface having a second isoelectric point. A self-assembled monolayer is selectively formed on the first surface and includes an electron deficient compound including a deprotonated pendant hydroxamic acid or a pendant phosphonic acid group or a pendant catechol group bound to the first surface. An organic solvent can be used to deposit the electron rich carbon nanotubes on the self-assembled monolayer.

Abstract: Techniques for selective placement of carbon nanotubes using bifunctional acid monolayers are provided. In one aspect, a method for selective placement of carbon nanotubes on a metal oxide surface includes the steps of: dispersing poly-fluorene polymer-wrapped carbon nanotubes in an organic solvent; creating a patterned monolayer of a bifunctional acid on the metal oxide surface, wherein the bifunctional acid comprises a first acid functional group for binding to the metal oxide surface, and a second acid functional group for binding to the poly-fluorene polymer-wrapped carbon nanotubes; and contacting the poly-fluorene polymer-wrapped carbon nanotubes dispersed in the organic solvent with the patterned monolayer of the bifunctional acid on the metal oxide surface to selectively place the carbon nanotubes on the metal oxide surface via the patterned monolayer of the bifunctional acid. A carbon nanotube-based device and method of formation thereof are also provided.

Abstract: A chemical sensor, methods of forming the same, and methods of performing chemical detection include a carbon nanotube test surface. A detector is configured to receive a signal from the carbon nanotube test surface responsive to illumination on the nanotube test surface. A matching module is configured to determine whether a chemical is present at the carbon nanotube test surface based on a comparison between the signal and a spectral profile of the chemical.

Abstract: A method of protecting an in-vivo sensor includes forming a sensing surface on a surface of the in-vivo sensor, the sensing surface including a functionalized monolayer that will bind to an analyte of interest; and coating the sensing surface of the sensor with a bioabsorbable polymeric coating including a bioabsorbable polymer; wherein the bioabsorbable polymeric coating is configured to protect the in-vivo sensor until needed for implantation.

Abstract: A method of protecting an in-vivo sensor includes forming a sensing surface on a surface of the in-vivo sensor, the sensing surface including a functionalized monolayer that will bind to an analyte of interest; and coating the sensing surface of the sensor with a bioabsorbable polymeric coating including a bioabsorbable polymer; wherein the bioabsorbable polymeric coating is configured to protect the in-vivo sensor until needed for implantation.