Abstract: A particle detection system is provided. The particle detection system includes at least one tapered optical fiber, a light source configured to transmit light through the at least one tapered optical fiber, a photodetector configured to measure a characteristic of the light being transmitted through the at least one optical fiber, and a computing device coupled to the photodetector and configured to determine whether a nanoparticle is present within an evanescent field of the at least one tapered optical fiber based on the measured light characteristic.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system for optimizing and controlling the particle size distribution and scale-up of production of nanoparticle in an aerosol flame reactor. The method provides nanoparticles with desired, optimized and controlled particle size and the specific surface area in aerosol reactors using a simulation tool with programmed instructions. The simulation tool couples flame dynamics model and particle population balance model.

Abstract: A system and method for providing fertilizer for crop production in an aqueous solution comprising nano-sized fertilizer particles, which are free of any chemical side chain and free any micelle to protect the nano-sized particle from re-agglomeration, suspended therein for improved uptake by the population of the crop.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and kits for ordering sequence information derived from one or more target polynucleotides. In one aspect, one or more tiers or levels of fragmentation and aliquoting are generated, after which sequence information is obtained from fragments in a final level or tier. Each fragment in such final tier is from a particular aliquot, which, in turn, is from a particular aliquot of a prior tier, and so on. For every fragment of an aliquot in the final tier, the aliquots from which it was derived at every prior tier is known, or can be discerned. Thus, identical sequences from overlapping fragments from different aliquots can be distinguished and grouped as being derived from the same or different fragments from prior tiers. When the fragments in the final tier are sequenced, overlapping sequence regions of fragments in different aliquots are used to register the fragments so that non-overlapping regions are ordered.

Abstract: Methods and articles of manufacture for storage and shipping of nanowires are disclosed. One disclosed method includes: (a) providing a nanowire suspension including nanowires suspended in a liquid; and (b) disposing the nanowire suspension in a container for storage and shipping, where the container is configured to inhibit agglomeration of nanowires from the nanowire suspension.

Abstract: A portable nanoparticle sampler for collecting respirable particulate matters and nanoparticles is composed of a tangential flow cyclone, a multi-microorifice impactor and a filter cassette. The tangential flow cyclone can remove the microparticles with cutoff aerodynamic diameter (dpa) larger than 4 ?m and guide the airflow to the multi-microorifice impactor located below the cyclone. The multi-microorifice impactor includes a multi-orifice nozzle and a rotary impaction plate for enabling the microparticles with dpa from 100 nm to 4 ?m to be uniformly collected on a silicon-oil-coated impaction substrate. The remanent microparticles with dpa smaller than 100 nm are collected by the filter cassette. Therefore, compared with the prior art, the portable nanoparticle sampler is characterized by low pressure loss and accurate microparticle sizing to meet the requirement of nanoparticle sampling at workplaces.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a transmission electron microscope (TEM) micro-grid is provided. A support ring and a sheet-shaped carbon nanotube structure precursor are first provided. The sheet-shaped carbon nanotube structure precursor is then disposed on the support ring. The sheet-shaped carbon nanotube structure precursor is cut to form a sheet-shaped carbon nanotube structure in desired shape. The sheet-shaped carbon nanotube structure is secured on the support ring.

Abstract: Chemical field effect sensors comprising nanotube field effect devices having biopolymers such as single stranded DNA or RNA functionally adsorbed to the nanotubes are provided. Also included are arrays comprising the sensors and methods of using the devices to detect volatile compounds.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of fabricating at least one single layer hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN). In an exemplary embodiment, the method includes (1) suspending at least one multilayer boron nitride across a gap of a support structure and (2) performing a reactive ion etch upon the multilayer boron nitride to produce the single layer hexagonal boron nitride suspended across the gap of the support structure. The present invention also provides a method of fabricating single layer hexagonal boron nitride. In an exemplary embodiment, the method includes (1) providing multilayer boron nitride suspended across a gap of a support structure and (2) performing a reactive ion etch upon the multilayer boron nitride to produce the single layer hexagonal boron nitride suspended across the gap of the support structure.

Abstract: A method of forming a nanowire structure is disclosed. The method comprises applying on a surface of carrier liquid a layer of a liquid composition which comprises a surfactant and a plurality of nanostructures each having a core and a shell, and heating at least one of the carrier liquid and the liquid composition to a temperature selected such that the nanostructures are segregated from the surfactant and assemble into a nanowire structure on the surface.

Abstract: A device for generating sprays of charged droplets, and resulting nanoparticles, the device comprising a first needle connected to an electrical potential line to generate a first spray of charged particles from the first needle, and a second needle spaced apart from and facing the first needle, and connected to an electrical line configured to ground the second needle or to apply a voltage to the second needle that is the same polarity as the voltage applied to the first needle. The device also comprising an electric field modifier connected to the first needle, and configured to modify an electrical field to generate a second spray of charged particles from the second needle.

Abstract: In accordance with the invention, there is a method of forming a nanochannel including depositing a photosensitive film stack over a substrate and forming a pattern on the film stack using interferometric lithography. The method can further include depositing a plurality of silica nanoparticles to form a structure over the pattern and removing the pattern while retaining the structure formed by the plurality of silica nanoparticles, wherein the structure comprises an enclosed nanochannel.

Abstract: A method for making a TEM micro-grid is provided. The method includes the following steps. A carrier, a carbon nanotube structure, and a protector are provided. The carrier defines a first through opening. The protector defines a second through opening. The protector, the carbon nanotube structure and the carrier are stacked such that the carbon nanotube structure is located between the carrier and the protector. The second through opening at least partly overlaps with the first through opening.

Abstract: Examples of the present invention include methods of assembling structures, such as nanostructures, at predetermined locations on a substrate. A voltage between spaced-apart electrodes supported by substrate attracts the structures to the substrate, and positional registration can be provided the substrate using topographic features such as wells. Examples of the present invention also include devices, such as electronic and optoelectronic devices, prepared by such methods.

Abstract: A method is presented for characterizing properties of a specimen, such as a microstructure and a nanostructure. The method includes attaching a first end of the specimen to a first probe (204) and attaching a second end of the specimen, which is spaced apart from the first end by an intermediate portion, to a second probe that extends from a transducer (208). The method also includes causing a corresponding displacement of the specimen attached between the first probe and the second probe (224, 230). At least one parameter associated with the specimen is acquired (226, 232) during the corresponding displacement based on at least one output signal from the transducer. The properties of the specimen can be determined based on the at least one parameter (236, 238).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the toxicity assessment of nano-materials, and more specifically, it is relates to an objective, reproducible and accurate assessment method for the unbiased toxicity testings of nano-materials, which minimize artifacts of the conventional methods for the toxicity assessment of the nano-materials by considering the dose characteristics of the nano-material itself using Selective multi-Plane Illumination Microcopy (SPIM); and the response characteristics of the nano-material using the improved or novel cellular responses assessment methods for nano-materials (e.g., modified MTT assay using image cytometric analysis, normal-inverted exposure apparatus, and modified flow cytometry), and a system and an apparatus thereof.

Abstract: The invention provides a lithographic method referred to as “dip pen” nanolithography (DPN). DPN utilizes a scanning probe microscope (SPM) tip (e.g., an atomic force microscope (AFM) tip) as a “pen,” a solid-state substrate (e.g., gold) as “paper,” and molecules with a chemical affinity for the solid-state substrate as “ink.” Capillary transport of molecules from the SPM tip to the solid substrate is used in DPN to directly write patterns consisting of a relatively small collection of molecules in submicrometer dimensions, making DPN useful in the fabrication of a variety of microscale and nanoscale devices. The invention also provides substrates patterned by DPN, including submicrometer combinatorial arrays, and kits, devices and software for performing DPN. The invention further provides a method of performing AFM imaging in air.

Abstract: Random arrays of single molecules are provided for carrying out large scale analyses, particularly of biomolecules, such as genomic DNA, cDNAs, proteins, and the like. In one aspect, arrays of the invention comprise concatemers of DNA fragments that are randomly disposed on a regular array of discrete spaced apart regions, such that substantially all such regions contain no more than a single concatemer. Preferably, such regions have areas substantially less than 1 ?m2 and have nearest neighbor distances that permit optical resolution of on the order of 109 single molecules per cm2. Many analytical chemistries can be applied to random arrays of the invention, including sequencing by hybridization chemistries, sequencing by synthesis chemistries, SNP detection chemistries, and the like, to greatly expand the scale and potential applications of such techniques.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining statistical characteristics of nano-particles includes distributing the nano-particles over a surface and then determining properties of the nano-particles by automatic measurement of multiple particles or by a measurement that determines properties of multiple particles at one time, without manipulating individual nano-particles.

Abstract: The application relates to a chemical sensor device comprising a substrate (1), a sensor medium (3) formed on the substrate, the sensor medium comprising one-dimensional nanoparticles, wherein the one-dimensional nanoparticles essentially consist of a semiconducting AxBy compound, e.g. V2O5 and detection means (2) for detecting a change of a physical property of the sensor medium e.g. conductivity. The porosity of the sensor medium supports a fast access of the analyte to the sensing material and therefore a fast response of the sensor. The selectivity and sensitivity of the sensor can be tailored by doping the one-dimensional nanoscale material with different dopants or by varying the dopant concentration. Sensitivity of the sensor device to an analyte, preferably an amine, can be increased by increasing relative humidity of the sample to at least 5%.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and to an apparatus for analyzing nanoparticles, wherein the nanoparticles are first fractionated as a function of their particle size and subsequently analyzed, wherein small angle X-ray scattering is used for the analysis of the nanoparticles, and to a corresponding apparatus for carrying out the method according to the invention. The analysis by means of small angle X-ray scattering comprises the focussing of X-radiation onto the nanoparticles to be analyzed by means of a slit collimator and the analysis of the nanoparticles using a detector-to-sample distance of less than 50 cm.

Abstract: Methods of optimizing the diameters of nanowire photodiode light sensors. The method includes comparing the response of nanowire photodiode pixels having predetermined diameters with standard spectral response curves and determining the difference between the spectral response of the photodiode pixels and the standard spectral response curves. Also included are nanowire photodiode light sensors with optimized nanowire diameters and methods of scene reconstruction.

Abstract: In nano-imprint lithography it is important to detect thickness non-uniformity of a residual layer formed on a substrate. Such non-uniformity is compensated such that a uniform residual layer may be formed. Compensation is performed by calculating a corrected fluid drop pattern.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the disclosed subject matter provide systems, devices, and methods for tuning resonant wavelengths of an optical resonator. Some embodiments of the disclosed subject matter provide systems, devices, and methods for tuning dispersion properties of photonic crystal waveguides. In some embodiments, methods for tuning a resonant wavelength of an optical resonator are provided, the methods including: providing an optical resonator having a surface; determining an initial resonant wavelength emitted by the optical resonator in response to an electromagnetic radiation input; determining a number of layers of dielectric material based on a difference between the initial resonant wavelength and a target resonant wavelength and a predetermined tuning characteristic; and applying the determined number of layers of dielectric material to the surface of the optical resonator to tune the initial resonant wavelength to a tuned resonant wavelength.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting an object capable of emitting light. The apparatus comprises a light detector comprising at least two optical sensors capable of determining the intensity of the light; and a computer processing output signal generated by the optical sensors and comparing a result of the processing with a known result corresponding to a known type to determine whether the object belongs to the known type.

Abstract: The invention generally pertains to the field of solid immersion lenses for optical applications in high resolution microscopy. The lens of the invention includes a spherical sector limited by a planar surface and an object having nanometric dimensions arranged on the planar surface at the focus of said solid immersion lens. A light-opaque layer having a central opening with nanometric dimensions can be provided on the planar surface, said opening being centred on the focus of the solid immersion lens. The nano-object can be a tube or a thread having a cylindrical shape. The lens of the invention can be made using lithography techniques.

Abstract: The present invention provides a self-sensing tweezer device for micro and nano-scale manipulation, assembly, and surface modification, including: one or more elongated beams disposed in a first configuration; one or more oscillators coupled to the one or more elongated beams, wherein the one or more oscillators are operable for selectively oscillating the one or more elongated beams to form one or more “virtual” probe tips; and an actuator coupled to the one or more elongated beams, wherein the actuator is operable for selectively actuating the one or more elongated beams from the first configuration to a second configuration.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a thermal interface material comprising the steps of: providing a carbon nanotube array comprising a plurality of carbon nanotubes each having two opposite ends; forming a composite phase change material by filling clearances in the carbon nanotube array with a phase change material; forming a section with predetermined thickness by cutting the composite phase change material along a direction cross to an alignment direction of the carbon nanotubes; and heating up the section to a temperature higher than a phase change temperature of the phase change material and cooling down after the two opposite ends of the carbon nanotubes protruding out of the section.

Abstract: Nanochannel arrays that enable high-throughput macromolecular analysis are disclosed. Also disclosed are methods of preparing nanochannel arrays and nanofluidic chips. Methods of analyzing macromolecules, such as entire strands of genomic DNA, are also disclosed, as well as systems for carrying out these methods.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining statistical characteristics of nano-particles includes distributing the nano-particles over a surface and then determining properties of the nano-particles by automatic measurement of multiple particles or by a measurement that determines properties of multiple particles at one time, without manipulating individual nano-particles.

Abstract: In one aspect, an assay test strip includes a test label that specifically binds a target analyte and a control label that is free of any specific binding affinity for the target analyte and has a different optical characteristic than the test label. In another aspect, an assay test strip includes a test label that specifically binds a target analyte and at least one non-specific-binding label that is free of any specific binding affinity for the target analyte. Systems and methods of reading assay test strips also are described.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining statistical characteristics of nano-particles includes distributing the nano-particles over a surface and then determining properties of the nano-particles by automatic measurement of multiple particles or by a measurement that determines properties of multiple particles at one time, without manipulating individual nano-particles.

Abstract: The application relates to a chemical sensor device comprising a substrate (1), a sensor medium (3) formed on the substrate, the sensor medium comprising one-dimensional nanoparticles, wherein the one-dimensional nanoparticles essentially consist of a semiconducting AxBy compound, e.g. V2O5 and detection means (2) for detecting a change of a physical property of the sensor medium e.g. conductivity. The porosity of the sensor medium supports a fast access of the analyte to the sensing material and therefore a fast response of the sensor. The selectivity and sensitivity of the sensor can be tailored by doping the one-dimensional nanoscale material with different dopants or by varying the dopant concentration. Sensitivity of the sensor device to an analyte, preferably an amine, can be increased by increasing relative humidity of the sample to at least 5%.

Abstract: The present invention includes methods, compositions and kits for analyzing a chemical analyte having an electrochemical cell connected to a measuring apparatus. The electrochemical cell contains a solution having one or more nanoparticles, one or more chemical analytes, an indicator. In addition, the electrochemical cell contains one or more electrodes in communication with the solution. One or more electrocatalytic properties are generated by the interaction of the one or more nanoparticles and the liquid sample and measured at the one or more electrodes.

Abstract: A molecular device of the present invention is arranged so that a self-organizing monomolecular layer is formed on an oxide layer made of an oxide of a substrate by being chemically bonded with the surface of the oxide layer, and nano structures are formed on the monomolecular film. With this arrangement, the present invention provides a molecular device which causes less interaction between the substrate and nanostructures arranged on the substrate, thereby realizing easier control of orientation of nano structures on the substrate. The present invention also provides a manufacturing method of the molecular device.

Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention is a technique to monitor carbon nanotubes (CNTs). A carbon nanotube (CNT) is manipulated in a fluid by a laser beam. An illuminating light from a light source is aligned along axis of the CNT to produce an optical response from the CNT. The CNT is monitored using an optical sensor according to the optical response.

Abstract: A system and method for making nanoparticles. The system includes a first cathode including a first metal tube associated with a first end and a second end, a first anode including a second metal tube associated with a third end and a fourth end, and a first container including a first gas inlet. The first end and the third end are located inside the first container. The first end and the third end are separated by a first gap, the first metal tube is configured to allow a first gas to flow from the second end to the first end, and the first container is configured to allow a second gas to flow from the first gas inlet into the second metal tube through at least a first part of the first gap.