Abstract: A multi-touch detection system includes a touch-sensitive device, a microcontroller coupled to the touch sensitive device, and an electronic application coupled to the microcontroller. The touch-sensitive device includes multiple electrically isolated conductive regions and the conductive regions are configured to detect multiple contacts from a user simultaneously and generate respective output signals for the multiple user contacts. The microcontroller is configured to receive the output signals from the conductive regions and generate one or more control signals in response to the output signals. The electronic application includes a screen displaying multiple human-machine interactive objects and a signal processor. The signal processor is configured to receive the control signals from the microcontroller and alter the appearance of the human-machine interactive objects on the screen in accordance with the control signals.

Abstract: A touch-sensitive device includes a first conductive layer and a second conductive layer. The first conductive layer has at least a first edge and a second edge. The second edge is substantially parallel to the first edge and there is a voltage drop across the first conductive layer between the first edge and the second edge when a power supply is coupled to the first edge and the second edge. The second conductive layer is separated from the first conductive layer by a spacer layer. The second conductive layer includes multiple electrically isolated conductive regions. When a plurality of the conductive regions are in contact with the first conductive layer simultaneously, each of the plurality of the conductive regions generates an output signal and the magnitude of the output signal depends at least in part upon the conductive region's position relative to the first and second edges.

Abstract: A hexagonal boron nitride thin film is grown on a metal surface of a growth substrate and then annealed. The hexagonal boron nitride thin film is coated with a protective support layer and released from the metal surface. The boron nitride thin film together with the protective support layer can then be transferred to any of a variety of arbitrary substrates.

Abstract: A method includes generating an aerosol comprising a plurality of catalyst particles from a precursor solution comprising a carbon source and a catalyst, transmitting the plurality of catalyst particles through a reaction zone extending along a temperature profile including at least one temperature sufficient to induce in each of the plurality of catalyst particles growth of a plurality of carbon nanotubes, and positioning at least one substrate along the temperature profile and at least partially outside of the reaction zone at a position to collect a portion of the plurality of carbon nanotubes on a surface of the at least one substrate.

Abstract: The present invention relates to coated, absorbent, freestanding assemblies comprising inorganic nanowires, articles of manufacture comprising the same, processes of producing the same and methods of use thereof. The assemblies of this invention are useful in various applications, including removal of organics or hydrophobic materials, and waterproofing applications.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method in connection with a multi-touch detection system is disclosed. The multi-touch detection system includes a touch-sensitive device, a microcontroller coupled to the touch sensitive device, and an electronic application coupled to the microcontroller. The touch-sensitive device has multiple electrically isolated conductive regions. In response to detecting multiple simultaneous contacts a user has with the conductive regions, the touch-sensitive device generates multiple output signals, one signal for each of the multiple simultaneous contacts, and transmits the output signals to the microcontroller. The microcontroller is configured to generate one or more control signals in response to the output signals and transmit the control signals to the electronic application. The electronic application includes a screen displaying multiple human-machine interactive objects.

Abstract: A multi-touch detection system includes a touch-sensitive device, a microcontroller coupled to the touch sensitive device, and an electronic application coupled to the microcontroller. The touch-sensitive device includes multiple electrically isolated conductive regions and the conductive regions are configured to detect multiple contacts from a user simultaneously and generate respective output signals for the multiple user contacts. The microcontroller is configured to receive the output signals from the conductive regions and generate one or more control signals in response to the output signals. The electronic application includes a screen displaying multiple human-machine interactive objects and a signal processor. The signal processor is configured to receive the control signals from the microcontroller and alter the appearance of the human-machine interactive objects on the screen in accordance with the control signals.

Abstract: A touch-sensitive device includes a first conductive layer and a second conductive layer. The first conductive layer has at least a first edge and a second edge. The second edge is substantially parallel to the first edge and there is a voltage drop across the first conductive layer between the first edge and the second edge when a power supply is coupled to the first edge and the second edge. The second conductive layer is separated from the first conductive layer by a spacer layer. The second conductive layer includes multiple electrically isolated conductive regions. When a plurality of the conductive regions are in contact with the first conductive layer simultaneously, each of the plurality of the conductive regions generates an output signal and the magnitude of the output signal depends at least in part upon the conductive region's position relative to the first and second edges.

Abstract: A film of single-layer to few-layer graphene is formed by depositing a graphene film via chemical vapor deposition on a surface of a growth substrate. The surface on which the graphene is deposited can be a polycrystalline nickel film, which is deposited by evaporation on a SiO2/Si substrate. A protective support layer is then coated on the graphene film to provide support for the graphene film and to maintain its integrity when it is removed from the growth substrate. The surface of the growth substrate is then etched to release the graphene film and the protective support layer from the growth substrate, wherein the protective support layer maintains the integrity of the graphene film during and after its release from the growth substrate. After being released from the growth substrate, the graphene film and protective support layer can be applied onto an arbitrary target substrate for evaluation or use in any of a wide variety of applications.

Abstract: A touch-sensitive screen and a resistance touch-sensitive device using the same, wherein said screen comprises: an insulating substrate, a rectangular conducting layer formed on said insulating substrate, a conducting layer electrode array formed on the four edges of said conducting layer, a conductive coat formed on said conducting layer, and a conductive coat electrode wherein, at least 3 pairs of the conducting layer electrodes are deployed in said conducting layer electrode array; each pair of the conducting layer electrodes are deployed on the parallel edges of the conducting layer symmetrically; and the conducting layer electrode is set on each edge of the conducting layer. As the conducting layer electrodes are deployed symmetrically on the parallel edges of the conducting layer, the electric filed lines tends to be evenly distributed when the voltage is loaded onto the edges of the conducting layer; thus the linearity of the equipotential lines is enhanced.

Abstract: Nanotubes and nanotube-based devices are implemented in a variety of applications. According to an example embodiment of the present invention, a nanotube is adapted to pass current between two conductive elements. In one implementation, each conductive element includes a catalyst material, wherein electrical connection is made to opposite ends of the nanotube at each of the catalyst portions. In one implementation, the electrical connection is used to detect an electrical characteristic of the nanotube, such as the response of the nanotube to exposure to one or more of a variety of materials. In another implementation, the nanotube is used for chemical and biological sensing. In still another implementation, a particular functionality is imparted to the nanotube using one or more of a variety of materials coupled to the nanotube, such as metal particles, biological particles and/or layers of the same.

Abstract: A tunable transmissive grating comprises a transmissive dispersive element, a reflective element, and an angle ? formed between the two elements. A first optical path is formed according to the angle ?, wherein light dispersing from the dispersive element is directed onto the reflective element and reflects therefrom. At least one element is rotatable about a rotational center to cause a second optical path and thereby tune the wavelength of the light reflecting from the reflective element. Both elements can be rotatable together around a common rotational center point according to certain embodiments, and/or each element can be independently rotated around a rotational axis associated only with that element. According to some embodiments, the relative angle ? formed between the elements is held constant; however, in other embodiments ? can vary.

Abstract: Nanotubes and nanotube-based devices are implemented in a variety of applications. According to an example embodiment of the present invention, a nanotube device is manufactured having a nanotube extending between two conductive elements. In one implementation, each conductive element includes a catalyst portion, wherein electrical connection is made to opposite ends of the nanotube at each of the catalyst portions. In one implementation, the conductive elements are coupled to circuitry for detecting an electrical characteristic of the nanotube, such as the response of the nanotube to exposure to one or more of a variety of materials. In another implementation, the nanotube device is adapted for chemical and biological sensing. In still another implementation, a particular functionality is imparted to the nanotube using one or more of a variety of materials coupled to the nanotube, such as metal particles, biological particles and/or layers of the same.

Abstract: Carbon nanotube growth is achieved in a high-yield process. According to an example embodiment of the present invention, a furnace chamber is adapted to grow a carbon nanotube device via catalyst islands. The carbon nanotube device includes a catalyst island, such as Fe2O3, and a carbon nanotube extending therefrom. In one more specific implementation, the catalyst island is disposed on a top surface of a substrate. The carbon nanotube device is useful in a variety of implementations and applications, such as in an atomic force microscope (AFM), in resonators (e.g., where a free end of the carbon nanotube is adapted to vibrate) and in electronic circuits (e.g., where the carbon nanotube is electrically coupled between two nodes, such as between the catalyst island and a circuit node). In addition, growing carbon nanotubes with such a catalyst island is particularly useful in the high-yield growth of a large number of nanotubes.

Abstract: Nanotubes and nanotube-based devices are implemented in a variety of applications. According to an example embodiment of the present invention, a nanotube device is manufactured having a nanotube extending between two conductive elements. In one implementation, each conductive element includes a catalyst portion, wherein electrical connection is made to opposite ends of the nanotube at each of the catalyst portions. In one implementation, the conductive elements are coupled to circuitry for detecting an electrical characteristic of the nanotube, such as the response of the nanotube to exposure to one or more of a variety of materials. In another implementation, the nanotube device is adapted for chemical and biological sensing. In still another implementation, a particular functionality is imparted to the nanotube using one or more of a variety of materials coupled to the nanotube, such as metal particles, biological particles and/or layers of the same.

Abstract: Carbon nanotube growth is achieved in a high-yield process. According to an example embodiment of the present invention, a carbon nanotube device includes a catalyst island, such as Fe2O3, and a carbon nanotube extending therefrom. In one implementation, the catalyst island is disposed on a top surface of a substrate. The carbon nanotube device is useful in a variety of implementations and applications, such as in an atomic force microscope (AFM), in resonators (e.g., where a free end of the carbon nanotube is adapted to vibrate) and in electronic circuits (e.g., where the carbon nanotube is electrically coupled between two nodes, such as between the catalyst island and a circuit node). In addition, growing carbon nanotubes with such a catalyst island is particularly useful in the high-yield growth of a large number of nanotubes.

Abstract: This invention provides an assembly of novel nanotube devices that can be employed in a variety of applications. In particular, the nanotube devices of the present invention provide a new class of versatile chemical and biological sensors. The present invention describes methods for growing individual nanotubes in a controlled fashion and for manipulating and integrating the nanotubes into functional devices. It further provides methods for modifying the nanotubes such that their sensitivity to a wide range of chemical and biological species can be achieved.

Abstract: Nanotubes and nanotube-based devices are implemented in a variety of applications. According to an example embodiment of the present invention, a nanotube is adapted to pass current between two conductive elements. In one implementation, each conductive element includes a catalyst material, wherein electrical connection is made to opposite ends of the nanotube at each of the catalyst portions. In one implementation, the electrical connection is used to detect an electrical characteristic of the nanotube, such as the response of the nanotube to exposure to one or more of a variety of materials. In another implementation, the nanotube is used for chemical and biological sensing. In still another implementation, a particular functionality is imparted to the nanotube using one or more of a variety of materials coupled to the nanotube, such as metal particles, biological particles and/or layers of the same.

Abstract: The present invention includes several nanotube structures which can be made using catalyst islands disposed on a substrate (e.g. silicon, alumina, or quartz) or on the free end of an atomic force microscope cantilever. The catalyst islands are capable of catalyzing the growth of carbon nanotubes from carbon containing gases (e.g. methane). The present invention includes an island of catalyst material (such as Fe2O3) disposed on the substrate with a carbon nanotube extending from the island. Also included in the present invention is a pair of islands with a nanotube extending between the islands, electrically connecting them. Conductive metal lines connected to the islands (which may be a few microns on a side) allows for external circuitry to connect to the nanotube. Such a structure can be used in many different electronic and microelectromechanical devices. For example, a nanotube connected between two islands can function as a resonator if the substrate beneath the nanotube is etched away.