Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing a low-exuding preferably non-exuding polymer-bonded phase-change material composition containing phase-change material, characterized in that the phase-change material is liquefied, the liquid phase-change material is introduced into an extruder at a temperature of between 50° C. and 130° C., however at least 20° C. to 70° C. above the melting point of the phase-change material into which the polymer is also introduced, wherein the extruder comprises mixing transport and holder elements and the introduction of the phase-change material into the extruder in the extrusion direction is performed after the polymer.

Abstract: Use of physical vapor deposition methodologies to deposit nanoscale gold on activating support media makes the use of catalytically active gold dramatically easier and opens the door to significant improvements associated with developing, making, and using gold-based, catalytic systems. The present invention, therefore, relates to novel features, ingredients, and formulations of gold-based, heterogeneous catalyst systems generally comprising nanoscale gold deposited onto a nanoporous support.

Abstract: Method for manufacturing uniformly separated, nanofibers, nanofilaments or microfibers. In some embodiments, the method includes steps of preparing a spinning or molten solution with a electrospinning raw material, electrospinning the solution to manufacture nanofibers, collecting the nanofibers, stretching the nanofibers, and heat-treating the collected nanofibers for a prescribed period of time. Nanofibers having a diameter of 1000 nm or less and microfibers having a diameter of 1 to 5 ?m can be manufactured by methods of the invention.

Abstract: This invention provides novel nanofiber enhanced surface area substrates and structures comprising such substrates for use in various medical devices, as well as methods and uses for such substrates and medical devices. In one particular embodiment, methods for enhancing cellular functions on a surface of a medical device implant are disclosed which generally comprise providing a medical device implant comprising a plurality of nanofibers (e.g., nanowires) thereon and exposing the medical device implant to cells such as osteoblasts.

Abstract: The invention provides products of manufacture, e.g., biomaterials and implants, for cartilage maintenance and/or formation in-vivo, in-vitro, and ex-vivo, using nanotechnology, e.g., using nanotube, nanowire, nanopillar and/or nanodepots configured on surface structures of the products of manufacture.

Abstract: A composition comprises a semiconductor substrate having a crystallographic plane oriented parallel to a surface of the substrate and at least one planar semiconductor nanowire epitaxially disposed on the substrate, where the nanowire is aligned along a crystallographic direction of the substrate parallel to the crystallographic plane. To fabricate a planar semiconductor nanowire, at least one nanoparticle is provided on a semiconductor substrate having a crystallographic plane oriented parallel to a surface of the substrate. The semiconductor substrate is heated within a first temperature window in a processing unit. Semi-conductor precursors are added to the processing unit, and a planar semiconductor nanowire is grown from the nanoparticle on the substrate within a second temperature window. The planar semiconductor nanowire grows in a crystallographic direction of the substrate parallel to the crystallographic plane.

Abstract: Functionalized graphene sheets having a carbon to oxygen molar ratio of at least about 23:1 and method of preparing the same.

Abstract: Discloses are stabilized calcium pyrophosphate nanotubes, a process for making calcium pyrophosphate nanotubes comprising agitating at less than 2 OkHz an aqueous suspension of a calcium and a phosphate for a time sufficient to precipitate said inorganic calcium pyrophosphate nanotubes, and uses thereof.

Abstract: A thermoelectric nanocomposite is formed from homogeneous ceramic nanoparticles formed from at least one kind of tellurium compound. The ceramic nanoparticles have an average particle size from about 5 nm to about 30 nm and particularly to about 10 nm. The ceramic nanoparticles are coated with a particle coating in each case. The particle coating is formed from at least one layer of nanostructured, substantially intact carbon material. The nanocomposite may be formed by providing a precursor powder of homogeneous ceramic nanoparticles with at least one kind of a tellurium compound. A precursor coating of nanostructured, substantially intact carbon material is provided for the precursor nanoparticles. Heat treatment of the precursor powder generates the nanocomposite by conversion of the precursor coating into the particle coating.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for forming carbon nanostructures from a polymer mixture. The methods include the steps of mixing the pre-formed polymer with a liquid to form a polymer mixture, freezing the polymer mixture at an effective freezing rate greater than or equal to 103 Kelvin per second to form a polymer cast within the frozen liquid, separating the polymer cast from the frozen liquid by sublimating the frozen liquid, and carbonizing the polymer cast to form a carbon nanostructure. Variations of these methods are included in the scope of the invention and produce materials with varying properties. Through control of the freezing process, the nanomorphology of the resultant structure may be modulated. Nanostructures formed according to these methods are also claimed.

Abstract: A method for the production of a nanocrystalline bismuth-molybdenum mixed oxide, the use of the bismuth-molybdenum mixed oxide as catalyst for chemical conversions, in particular for a conversion of propylene to acrolein and/or acrylic acid or of isobutylene to methacrolein and/or methacrylic acid, as well as a catalyst that contains the bismuth-molybdenum mixed oxide.

Abstract: To provide a mold for nanoimprinting capable of accurately transcribing a fine concavo-convex structure, available at a low cost and having high durability, its production process, and processes for producing a molded resin having a fine concavo-convex structure on its surface having the fine concavo-convex structure of the mold accurately transcribed, and a wire-grid polarizer, with high productivity. A mold 10 for nanoimprinting having on its mold surface a fine concavo-convex structure comprising a plurality of grooves 14 formed in parallel with one another at a constant pitch, which comprises a mold base 12 made of a resin having on its surface a fine concavo-convex structure to be the base of the fine concavo-convex structure, a metal oxide layer 16 covering the surface having the fine concavo-convex structure of the mold base 12, and a release layer 18 covering the surface of the metal oxide layer 16, is used.

Abstract: A fabricating method of nano-powder is provided. First, a mixture having at least a first material and a second material is provided. Then, the mixture is sintered to obtain a single phase alloy body. After that, the single phase alloy body is pre-crumbled to obtain a powder to be ground. Then, a chemical dispersant is added into the powder to further be ground, so as to obtain the nano-powder.

Abstract: A flake powder for an electromagnetic wave absorber and a method of manufacturing the flake powder are described. The flake powder is made-up of nano-sized metals and pores forming a flake body having a composite structure formed by aggregation of nano-sized magnetic metals. The method includes the steps of preparing a metal oxide; milling the metal oxide into nano-sized powder; reducing the milled metal oxide powder to form a magnetic metal powder; flaking the reduced magnetic metal powder; and heat treating the flaked magnetic metal powder to relieve residual stress thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a nanocapsule-type structure having an average particle diameter of 1 to 50 nm, said nanocapsule-type structure comprising an aqueous solution of a metal compound encapsulated in the inside thereof. Preferably, the nanocapsule-type structure is such that the nanocapsule structure is formed by self-organization of a surfactant in an organic solvent. This nanocapsule structure is in a nanometer size, and high in dispersibility even in a high-concentration region in an organic solvent, and does not undergo aggregation, and it is useful as a catalyst for a CVD method.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to nanoparticles, comprising a metal and/or polymer core, with 7-alpha hydroxylase, or an enzymatically active fragment thereof, nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) and antibodies, or antibody fragments, specific for low density lipoprotein (LDL), attached to the core. The invention also concerns methods for reducing LDL cholesterol in a human or animal subject by administering nanoparticles of the invention. In a preferred embodiment, both circulating LDL and plasma cholesterol levels are reduced in the subject.

Abstract: Nano-scale particles of materials can be produced by vaporizing material and allowing the material to flow in a non-violently turbulent manner into thermal communication with a cooling fluid, thereby forming small particles of the material that can be in the nano-scale size range. A raw material feeder can be configured to feed raw material toward a heater which vaporizes the raw material. The feeder can include a metering device for controlling the flow of raw material toward the heater. A gas source can also be used to cause gas to flow through a portion of the raw material feeder along with the raw material.

Abstract: Provided are a method and a device for producing nanoparticles of a low melting point material such as gold at more than 10 times faster the rate of conventional technology while maintaining the time-averaged temperature of pulse-modulated atmospheric-pressure plasma at a temperature that is low enough so as not to damage a heat-sensitive material disposed downstream. This method of preparing nanoparticles of a low melting point inorganic material in which a wire made of a low melting point inorganic material is inserted into a plasma-generating capillary tube or a plasma-generating nozzle and atmospheric-pressure high frequency plasma is generated in the capillary tube or nozzle is characterized by generating the plasma by applying a high frequency voltage possessing a waveform which exhibits its maximum value when it rises and then immediately falls, and which is pulse-modulated so that the duty ratio thereof is 10% or less.

Abstract: Methods for preparing high aspect ratio nanomaterials from spherical nanomaterials useful for oxides, nitrides, carbides, borides, metals, alloys, chalcogenides, and other compositions.

Abstract: A filter membrane includes a substrate, a polymer layer provided on the substrate and a plurality of filter openings each having a width of from about 2 nanometers to about 5 nanometers provided in the polymer layer. A method of controlling pore size of a filter membrane and a method of decontaminating a filter membrane are also disclosed.

Abstract: carbon nanotubes can be used in a lot of different applications but the main disadvantage of these tubes are that they are expensive. This invention describes a very simple process for producing carbon nanotubes in large scale. This process is very cheaply. It uses the sonochemical approach for generating carbon nanotubes. It is also shown that this process can be used for large industrialization of sonochemical processes.

Abstract: An electron microscope comprising an electron emitting cathode equipped with a carbon nanotube and an extraction unit to field-emit electrons. The carbon nanotube contains a sharp portion which is approximately conical shape at tip thereof closed at the electron-emitting cathode. A method of manufacturing carbon nanotube having a sharp angle part at the tip thereof, comprising a step of placing and heat-treating a tip-sharpened carbon nanotube still at a lower temperature than a phase transition temperature and a step of placing and heat-treating a tip-sharpened carbon nanotube still at a higher temperature than a phase transition temperature.

Abstract: Bulk, superhard, B—C—N nanocomposite compacts were prepared by ball milling a mixture of graphite and hexagonal boron nitride, encapsulating the ball-milled mixture at a pressure in a range of from about 15 GPa to about 25 GPa, and sintering the pressurized encapsulated ball-milled mixture at a temperature in a range of from about 1800-2500 K. The product bulk, superhard, nanocomposite compacts were well sintered compacts with nanocrystalline grains of at least one high-pressure phase of B—C—N surrounded by amorphous diamond-like carbon grain boundaries. The bulk compacts had a measured Vicker's hardness in a range of from about 41 GPa to about 68 GPa.

Abstract: Methods for preparing high aspect ratio nanomaterials from spherical nanomaterials useful for oxides, nitrides, carbides, borides, metals, alloys, chalcogenides, and other compositions.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a wear-resistive housing for a portable electronic device. The housing is made of a wear-resistive plastic molding material, or made of a rigid or plastic material on which is coated a wear-resistive coating. The wear-resistive plastic molding material or the wear-resistive coating includes a hardness-improving additive selected from the group consisting of zirconium dioxide, boron nitride, tungsten carbide, silicon carbide, and mixtures of two or more of the above.

Abstract: A recyclable esterification or transesterification catalyst and methods for making and using the same are provided herein. The catalyst can be used to prepare biodiesel or methyl soyate from various feedstocks, including vegetable oils and animal fats. The catalyst can both esterify free fatty acids and transesterify mono-, di-, and triglycerides. The catalyst can also be combined with a metal oxide, and optionally calcined, prior to carrying out a catalytic reaction.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the self-assembly of a spherical-morphology block copolymer into V-shaped grooves of a substrate. Although spherical morphology block copolymers typically form a body-centered cubic system (bcc) sphere array in bulk, the V-shaped grooves promote the formation of a face-centered cubic system (fcc) sphere array that is well ordered. In one embodiment, the (111) planes of the fcc sphere array are parallel to the angled side walls of the V-shaped groove. The (100) plane of the fcc sphere array is parallel to the top surface of the substrate, and may show a square symmetry among adjacent spheres. This square symmetry is unlike the hexagonal symmetry seen in monolayers of spherical domains and is a useful geometry for lithography applications, especially those used in semiconductor applications.

Abstract: A device for processing molecular clusters of a liquid to nano-scale is provided and includes a stirring chamber having a hexagonal (or octagonal) column space; a plurality of first stirring modules, each of which has at least one first stirring blade having a left-handed swastika shape (or right-handed swastika shape) for pushing a liquid to flow; and a plurality of second stirring modules, each of which has at least one second stirring blade having a right-handed swastika shape (or left-handed swastika shape) for pushing the liquid to reversely flow. Thus, molecular clusters of the liquid are collided with each other under a condition with high temperature, high pressure and high stirring speed, until the particle diameter of the molecular clusters is reduced to a nano-scale.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to the formation of sublithographic features in a semiconductor structure using self-assembling polymers. The self-assembling polymers are formed in openings in a hard mask, annealed and then etched, followed by etching of the underlying dielectric material. At least one sublithographic feature is formed according to this method. Also disclosed is an intermediate semiconductor structure in which at least one interconnect wiring feature has a dimension that is defined by a self-assembled block copolymer.

Abstract: A method for bonding nano-elements to a surface is described. The method includes applying a layer of a first metal to a first end of a plurality of substantially aligned nano-elements, positioning a layer of a second metal adjacent to the layer of the first metal, placing a compressive force across the nano-elements, the metal layers, and the substrate, and elevating the temperature of the nano-elements, the metal layers, and a substrate adjacent the layer of the second metal such that the metal layers form at least one of a eutectic bond, a metal solid solution, and an alloy bond between the nano-elements and the substrate.

Abstract: This invention provides a method of detecting pathogens comprising the steps of: (a) contacting a sufficient amount of biofunctional magnetic nanoparticles with an appropriate sample for an appropriate period of time to permit the formation of complexes between the pathogens in the sample and the nanoparticles; (b) using a magnetic field to aggregate said complexes; and (c) detecting said complexes. The method may further comprise the additional step of removing said complexes. The biofunctional magnetic nanoparticles are preferably a conjugate of vancomycin and FePt. The pathogens may be bacteria or viruses, and the sample may be a solid, liquid, or gas. Detection may involve conventional fluorescence assay, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), optical microscope, electron microscope, or a combination thereof. The sensitivity of detection for the method is at least as low as 10 colony forming units (cfu) of the pathogens in one milliliter of solution within one hour.

Abstract: This invention relates to a L10-ordered FePt nanodot array which is manufactured using capillary force lithography, to a method of manufacturing the L10-ordered FePt nanodot array and to a high density magnetic recording medium using the L10-ordered FePt nanodot array. This method includes depositing a FePt thin film on a MgO substrate, forming a thin film made of a polymer material on the deposited FePt thin film using spin coating, bringing a mold into contact with the spin coated FePt thin film, annealing the mold and a polymer pattern which are in contact with each other, cooling and separating the mold and the polymer pattern which are annealed, controlling a size of the polymer pattern through reactive ion etching, ion milling a portion of the FePt thin film uncovered with the polymer pattern thus forming a FePt nanodot array and then removing a remaining polymer layer, and annealing the FePt nanodot array.

Abstract: A method for preparing an iridium tip with atomic sharpness. The method includes tapering an iridium wire to a needle shape and heating the iridium needle in an oxygen atmosphere. Also disclosed is an iridium needle having a pyramidal structure which terminates with a small number of atoms prepared by the methods.

Abstract: Use of physical vapor deposition methodologies to deposit nanoscale gold on activating support media makes the use of catalytically active gold dramatically easier and opens the door to significant improvements associated with developing, making, and using gold-based, catalytic systems. The present invention, therefore, relates to novel features, ingredients, and formulations of gold-based, heterogeneous catalyst systems generally comprising nanoscale gold deposited onto a nanoporous support.

Abstract: The invention provides a nanowire light emitting device and a manufacturing method thereof. In the light emitting device, first and second conductivity type clad layers are formed and an active layer is interposed therebetween. At least one of the first and second conductivity type clad layers and the active layer is a semiconductor nanowire layer obtained by preparing a layer of a mixture composed of a semiconductor nanowire and an organic binder and removing the organic binder therefrom.

Abstract: Luminescent inorganic nanoparticles comprising: (a) a core made from a first metal salt or oxide being surrounded by (b) a shell made from a second metal salt or oxide being luminescent and having non-semiconductor properties. These nanoparticles can be advantageously used in (fluorescence) resonance energy transfer ((F)RET)-based bioassays in view of their higher (F)RET efficiency.

Abstract: In accordance with the invention, the structure (10A, 10B) of a patterned nanoscale or near nanoscale device (“nanostructure”) is repaired and/or enhanced by liquifying the patterned device in the presence of appropriate guiding conditions for a period of time and then permitting the device to solidify. Advantageous guiding conditions include adjacent spaced apart or contacting surfaces (12, 13A, 13B) to control surface structure and preserve verticality and unconstrained boundaries to permit smoothing of edge roughness. In an advantageous embodiment, a flat planar surface (12) is disposed overlying a patterned nanostructure surface (13A, 13B) and the surface (13A, 13B) is liquified by a high intensity light source to repair or enhance the nanoscale features.

Abstract: A container made of a porous material and coated with precious metal nanoparticles is disclosed. The method of making it includes: adding precious metal nanoparticles and intermedium particles to a solution; maintaining the solution at a first temperature; heating a container body made of a porous material at a second temperature; and immersing the container body in the solution wherein the temperature difference between the first temperature and the second temperature causes the precious metal nanoparticles and intermedium particles to permeate into the pores of the container body. The resultant container has precious metal nanoparticles not only attached to its surface but also within its pores.

Abstract: Methods of shape modifying a nanodevice by contacting it with a low-energy focused electron beam are disclosed here. In one embodiment, a nanodevice may be permanently reformed to a different geometry through an application of a deforming force and a low-energy focused electron beam. With the addition of an assist gas, material may be removed from the nanodevice through application of the low-energy focused electron beam. The independent methods of shape modification and material removal may be used either individually or simultaneously. Precision cuts with accuracies as high as 10 nm may be achieved through the use of precision low-energy Scanning Electron Microscope scan beams. These methods may be used in an automated system to produce nanodevices of very precise dimensions. These methods may be used to produce nanodevices of carbon-based, silicon-based, or other compositions by varying the assist gas.

Abstract: The present invention relates to Luminescent nanoparticles comprising (a) a core made from a luminescent metal salt selected from phosphates, sulfates or fluorides, being surrounded by (b) a shell made from a metal salt or oxide capable of preventing or reducing energy transfer from the core after its electronic excitation to the surface of the nanoparticle, e.g. a shell made from a non-luminescent metal salt or oxide, which are characterized by higher quantum yields and can be used in various fields including light generation and security marking.

Abstract: A carbon fiber composite material includes an elastomer and carbon nanofibers uniformly dispersed in the elastomer. The carbon nanofibers are produced by a vapor growth method and then heated at a temperature that is in a range from 1100 to 1600° C. and is higher than the reaction temperature employed in the vapor growth method.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for producing morphologically uniform and virtually monodisperse metal-containing nanoparticles, characterized in that the separation both in time and space of the nucleation and growth processes is achieved by regulation of the temperature and volume flows, with the reaction and particle formation preferably being initiated and carried out in a suitable microstructured modular reactor system. Modularization of the microreaction plant (micro heat exchanger, residence reactor, micromixer, etc.) allows optimal setting of the respective chemical and process-engineering process parameters and thus the preparation of virtually monodisperse and morphologically uniform nanoparticles.

Abstract: A method for producing a silver nanowire including heating a silver complex in a water solvent at a temperature equal to or below the boiling point of the water solvent, and the silver nanowire produced by the method.

Abstract: A single crystalline ternary nanostructure having the formula AxByOz, wherein x ranges from 0.25 to 24, and y ranges from 1.5 to 40, and wherein A and B are independently selected from the group consisting of Ag, Al, As, Au, B, Ba, Br, Ca, Cd, Ce, Cl, Cm, Co, Cr, Cs, Cu, Dy, Er, Eu, F, Fe, Ga, Gd, Ge, Hf, Ho, I, In, Ir, K, La, Li, Lu, Mg, Mn, Mo, Na, Nb, Nd, Ni, Os, P, Pb, Pd, Pr, Pt, Rb, Re, Rh, Ru, S, Sb, Sc, Se, Si, Sm, Sn, Sr, Ta, Tb, Tc, Te, Ti, Tl, Tm, U, V, W, Y, Yb, and Zn, wherein the nanostructure is at least 95% free of defects and/or dislocations.

Abstract: The present invention provides patterned features of dimensions of less than 50 nm on a substrate. According to various embodiments, the features may be “Manhattan” style structures, have high aspect ratios, and/or have atomically smooth surfaces. The patterned features are made from polymer brushes grafted to a substrate. In some embodiments, the dimensions of the features may be determined by adjusting the grafting density and/or the molecular weight of the brushes. Once the brushes are patterned, the features can be shaped and reshaped with thermal or solvent treatments to achieve the desired profiles. The chemical nature of the polymer brush is thus independent of the patterning process, which allows for optimization of the polymer brush used for specific applications. Applications include masks for pattern transfer techniques such as reactive ion etching.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for making a thermoelectric element consisting mainly of a crystalline alloy having a cubic structure, the alloy comprising a first constituent having at least a first element selected among the transition metals, a second constituent having at least one element selected among column XIV, XV or XVI of the periodic table, and a third constituent having at least one constituent selected among rare earths, alkalis, alkaline earths or actinides. The method includes making the alloy in the form of nanopowders by mechanosynthesis. The invention also concerns the thermoelectric material obtained by implementing said method.

Abstract: Metal and semiconductor nanoshells, particularly transition metal nanoshells, are fabricated using dendrimer molecules. Metallic colloids, metallic ions or semiconductors are attached to amine groups on the dendrimer surface in stabilized solution for the surface seeding method and the surface seedless method, respectively. Subsequently, the process is repeated with additional metallic ions or semiconductor, a stabilizer, and NaBH4 to increase the wall thickness of the metallic or semiconductor lining on the dendrimer surface. Metallic or semiconductor ions are automatically reduced on the metallic or semiconductor nanoparticles causing the formation of hollow metallic or semiconductor nanoparticles. The void size of the formed hollow nanoparticles depends on the dendrimer generation. The thickness of the metallic or semiconductor thin film around the dendrimer depends on the repetition times and the size of initial metallic or semiconductor seeds.

Abstract: A mixing reactor for mixing efficiently streams of fluids of differing densities. In a preferred embodiment, one of the fluids is supercritical water, and the other is an aqueous salt solution. Thus, the reactor enables the production of metal oxide nanoparticles as a continuous process, without any risk of the reactor blocking due to the inefficient mixing inherent in existing reactor designs.

Abstract: Nanotechnology methods for creating stoichiometric and non-stoichiometric substances with unusual combination of properties by lattice level composition engineering are described.

Abstract: The present invention is for a porous silicon powder comprising silicon particles wherein the outermost layers of said particles are porous. The present invention is also directed to a method of making this porous silicon powder using a stain etch method. The present invention is also directed to a method of making silicon nanoparticles from the porous silicon powders using a process of ultrasonic agitation. The present invention also includes methods of processing these silicon nanoparticles for use in a variety of applications.