Detector Using Nanostructure Patents (Class 977/953)
  • Publication number: 20090243637
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a measuring apparatus such as a conduction characteristics evaluation apparatus, a probe microscope, etc. having a nanotube probe, wherein the measuring apparatus is succeeded in reducing the electrical resistance of the carbon nanotube as well as the electrical resistance between the carbon nanotube and a metal substrate to improve electrical conduction characteristics of the nanotube probe and attain a uniform diameter, thus improving the measurement accuracy. In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, there is provided a conduction characteristics evaluation apparatus having a nanotube probe made of a nanotube coated by tiny fragments of graphene sheets to improve the wettability with respect to metal materials and then coated by a metal layer, or a conduction characteristics evaluation apparatus having a nanotube probe made of a metal-coated amorphous nanotube composed of tiny fragments of graphene sheets.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2009
    Publication date: October 1, 2009
    Inventors: Makoto OKAI, Motoyuki Hirooka
  • Publication number: 20090167711
    Abstract: A touch panel includes a substrate, a transparent conductive layer and a plurality of electrodes. The substrate has a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface. The transparent conductive layer is formed on the first surface of the substrate. The transparent conductive layer includes a plurality of separated carbon nanotube structures. The electrodes are electrically connected to the transparent conductive layer. Each electrode is connected with the end of at least one of the carbon nanotube structures such that each carbon nanotube structure is in contact with at least two opposite electrodes. Further, a display device using the above-described touch panel is also included.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2008
    Publication date: July 2, 2009
    Applicants: Tsinghua University, HON HAI Precision Industry CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kai-Li Jiang, Liang Liu, Shou-Shan Fan
  • Publication number: 20090160796
    Abstract: A touch panel includes a first conductive layer, a second conductive layer and a capacitive sensing member. The first conductive layer includes a plurality of first conductive lines. The second conductive layer separated from the first conductive layer includes a plurality of second conductive lines. One of the plurality of conductive lines is located above the other plurality of conductive lines. The capacitive sensing member is connected to the first conductive lines. At least one of the first and second pluralities of conductive lines includes carbon nanotube wires. The carbon nanotube wires each include a plurality of carbon nanotubes. Further, a display device using the above-described touch panel is also included.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2008
    Publication date: June 25, 2009
    Applicants: Tsinghua University, HON HAI Precision Industry CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kai-Li Jiang, Liang Liu, Shou-Shan Fan
  • Patent number: 7550747
    Abstract: An array of vertically aligned electron emitting nanotips such as multiwall carbon nanotubes are formed and patterned for use as a lithographic stamp. The spacing and/or arrangement of the nanotips correspond to a predetermined pattern that is desired to be formed on an opposing substrate. Simultaneous actuation of the nanotips by a common electrode forms a pattern on the opposing substrate without any necessary scanning techniques or use of masks. Applying a sufficient electrical potential between the array and the substrate generates electron emission from the tips so as to cure a resist, produce localized electrochemical reactions, establish localized electrostatic charge distributions or perform other desirable coating or etching process steps so as to create nanoelectronic circuitry or to facilitate molecular or nanoscale processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2009
    Inventor: Blaise Laurent Mouttet
  • Publication number: 20090155800
    Abstract: There is provided a biosensor capable of increasing a detecting sensitivity of a target substance by using a nano wire having excellent electrical characteristics and by immobilizing a receptor of the target substance to be detected on a substrate which is disposed between a nano wire and another nano wire and a method for manufacturing the same. A biosensor according to the present invention can be manufactured with an arrangement in which the nano wire is selectively arranged on a solid substrate in a matrix and, therefore, many materials can be detected at the same time. Particularly, since the degradation of electrical characteristics of the nano wire can be prevented in the present invention, a target substance is very sensitively detected through a small amount thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2007
    Publication date: June 18, 2009
    Applicants: SEOUL NATIONAL UNIVERSITY INDUSTRY FOUNDATION, MITECH CORPORATION
    Inventors: Seung-Hun Hong, Byung-Yang Lee, Dong-Joon Lee
  • Publication number: 20090153520
    Abstract: A touch panel includes a first electrode plate and a second electrode plate. The first electrode plate includes a first substrate, a first conductive layer disposed on a lower surface of the first substrate, and two first-electrodes disposed on opposite ends of the first conductive layer. The second electrode plate separates from the first electrode plate and includes a second substrate, a second conductive layer disposed on an upper surface of the second substrate, and two second-electrodes disposed on opposite ends of the second conductive layer. At least one of the first-electrodes and the second-electrodes includes a carbon nanotube layer. Further, the present invention also relates to a display device. The display device includes a displaying unit and a touch panel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2008
    Publication date: June 18, 2009
    Applicants: Tsinghua University, HON HAI Precision Industry CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kai-Li Jiang, Liang Liu, Shou-Shan Fan
  • Publication number: 20090121734
    Abstract: An integrated compound nano probe card is disclosed to include a substrate layer having a front side and a back side, and compound probe pins arranged in the substrate layer. Each compound probe pin has a bundle of aligned parallel nanotubes/nanorods and a bonding material bonded to the bundle of aligned parallel nanotubes/nanorods and filled in gaps in the nanotubes/nanorods. Each compound probe pin has a base end exposed on the back side of the substrate layer and a distal end spaced above the front side of the substrate layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2008
    Publication date: May 14, 2009
    Applicant: Industrial Technology Research Institute
    Inventors: Horng-Jee Wang, Ya-Ru Huang, Min-Chieh Chou
  • Publication number: 20090117002
    Abstract: A nanoscale sensing device from different types of nanoparticles (NPs) and nanowires (NWs) connected by molecular springs. The distance between the nanoscale colloids reversibly changes depending on conditions or analyte concentration and can be evaluated by fluorescence measurements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2006
    Publication date: May 7, 2009
    Applicant: Ohio University
    Inventors: Nicholas Kotov, Joebeom Lee, Alexander Govorov
  • Publication number: 20090119808
    Abstract: The present invention relates to near-field scanning optical microscopy (NSOM) and near-field/far-field scanning microscopy methods, systems and devices that permit the imaging of biological samples, including biological samples or structures that are smaller than the wavelength of light. In one embodiment, the present invention permits the production of multi-spectral, polarimetric, near-field microscopy systems that can achieve a spatial resolution of less than 100 nanometers. In another embodiment, the present invention permits the production of a multifunctional, multi-spectral, polarimetric, near-field/far-field microscopy that can achieve enhanced sub-surface and in-depth imaging of biological samples. In still another embodiment, the present invention relates to the use of polar molecules as new optical contrast agents for imaging applications (e.g., cancer detection).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2006
    Publication date: May 7, 2009
    Applicant: The University of Akron
    Inventor: George C. Giakos
  • Publication number: 20090072223
    Abstract: A field effect transistor according to the present invention includes a carbon nanotube of two or more walls having an inner wall and an outer wall, source and drain electrodes formed on both sides of the carbon nanotube, and a gate electrode formed in a gate formation region of the carbon nanotube, wherein the outer wall of the carbon nanotube is removed in the gate formation region to expose the inner wall, an insulation film is formed on the exposed inner wall, the gate electrode is formed on the exposed inner wall via the insulation film or via a Schottky junction, the source and drain electrodes are formed in contact with the outer wall and inner wall, and the carbon nanotube between the source and drain electrodes and the insulation film is covered by the outer wall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2008
    Publication date: March 19, 2009
    Applicant: FUJITSU LIMITED
    Inventor: Yuji AWANO
  • Publication number: 20090066348
    Abstract: A nanoelectronic device for detecting target molecules is described. The device has an array of nanoscale wires serving as sensors of target molecules and electrical contacts, electrically contacting the nanowires at end regions of the nanoscale wires. The end regions are covered with an insulating material. The insulating material also defines a window region of the nanoscale wires, not covered by the insulating material. Probe molecules are located on the nanoscale wires along the window region. A microfluidic channel can also be provided, to allow flow of the target molecules. A method of fabricating the nanoelectronic device is also shown and described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2007
    Publication date: March 12, 2009
    Inventors: Young Shik Shin, Michael Amori, Yuri Bunimovich, James H. Heath
  • Publication number: 20090068461
    Abstract: A hierarchical structure that has at least one carbon nanotube extending radially from a nanofiber substrate and related methods of use and manufacture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2004
    Publication date: March 12, 2009
    Applicant: THE UNIVERSITY OF AKRON
    Inventors: Darrell H. Reneker, Haoqing Hou
  • Publication number: 20090046073
    Abstract: A cover sheet assembly is provided for a touchscreen system. The cover sheet assembly includes an insulating layer having a surface configured to be disposed over an electrically conductive area of a substrate of the touchscreen system, and an electrically conductive material disposed on at least a portion of the surface of the insulating layer. The electrically conductive material includes a plurality of carbon nanoparticles and a plurality of metal nanoparticles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2007
    Publication date: February 19, 2009
    Inventors: Brian D. Pennington, Joel C. Kent
  • Publication number: 20090000364
    Abstract: Probe-based methods are provided for formation of one or more nano-sized or micro-sized elongated structures such as wires or tubes. The structures extend at least partially upwards from the surface of a substrate, and may extend fully upward from the substrate surface. The structures are formed via a localized electrodeposition technique. The electrodeposition technique of the invention can also be used to make modified scanning probe microscopy probes having an elongated nanostructure at the tip or conductive nanoprobes. Apparatus suitable for use with the electrodeposition technique are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2008
    Publication date: January 1, 2009
    Inventor: Min-Feng Yu
  • Publication number: 20080314149
    Abstract: Devices usable as sensors, as transducers, or as both sensors and transducers include one or more nanotubes or nanowires. In some embodiments, the devices may each include a plurality of sensor/transducer devices carried by a common substrate. The sensor/transducer devices may be individually operable, and may exhibit a plurality of resonant frequencies to enhance the operable frequency bandwidth of the devices. Sensor/transducer devices include one or more elements configured to alter a resonant frequency of a nanotube. Such elements may be selectively and individually actuable. Methods for sensing mechanical displacements and vibrations include monitoring an electrical characteristic of a nanotube. Methods for generating mechanical displacements and vibrations include using an electrical signal to induce mechanical displacements or vibrations in one or more nanotubes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2007
    Publication date: December 25, 2008
    Applicant: MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventor: Neal R. Rueger
  • Publication number: 20080282818
    Abstract: A sensor is provided with a base with at least one resistive track which includes a nano particle based conductive ink. A contact device makes contact along at least a portion of the resistive track and provides an indication of position or movement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2007
    Publication date: November 20, 2008
    Inventors: Charles Smith, Eduardo Jimenez, Marta Lacaba
  • Publication number: 20080231361
    Abstract: Small-signal and other circuit design techniques realized by carbon nanotube field-effect transistors (CNFETs) to create analog electronics for analog signal handling, analog signal processing, and conversions between analog signals and digital signals. As the CNFETs exist and operate at nanoscale, they can be readily collocated or integrated into carbon nanotube sensing and transducing systems. Such collocation and integration is at, or adequately near, nanoscale.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2008
    Publication date: September 25, 2008
    Inventor: Lester F. LUDWIG
  • Patent number: 7404338
    Abstract: The resolution and the signal-to-noise ration of known force sensors as e.g. capacitive force sensors decrease when scaling them down. To solve this problem there is a solution presented by the usage of a nanostructure as e.g. a carbon nanotube, which is mechanically deformed by a force to be measured. The proposed force sensors comprises a support with two arms carrying the carbon nanotube. The main advantage of this nanoscale force sensor is a very high sensitivity as the conductance of carbon nanotubes changes several orders of magnitude when a mechanical deformation arises.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2008
    Assignee: ETH Zurich
    Inventors: Christofer Hierold, Alain Jungen, Christoph Stampfer
  • Publication number: 20080157354
    Abstract: A method of fabricating a stacked nanostructure array includes preparing a substrate; forming a bottom electrode directly on the substrate; growing a first nanostructure array directly on the bottom electrode; forming an insulating layer on the first nanostructure array; exposing the upper surface of the first nanostructure array; depositing a second, and subsequent, nanostructure array on a nanostructure array immediately below the second and subsequent nanostructure array; repeating said forming, said exposing and said depositing a subsequent steps to form a stacked nanostructure array; removing an uppermost insulating layer; and forming a top electrode on an uppermost nanostructure array. A sensor incorporating the nanostructure array includes top and bottom electrodes with plural layers of nanostructure array therebetween.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2007
    Publication date: July 3, 2008
    Inventors: Fengyan Zhang, Sheng Teng Hsu
  • Publication number: 20080142361
    Abstract: A carbon nanotube (“CNT”) gas sensor includes a substrate, an insulating layer formed on the substrate, electrodes formed on the insulating layer, and CNT barriers that protrude higher than the electrodes in spaces between the electrodes to form gas detecting spaces. A method of manufacturing the gas sensor includes forming an insulating layer on a substrate, forming an electrode pattern on the insulating layer, coating CNT paste having a thickness greater than a thickness of electrodes in the electrode pattern on the electrodes and the insulating layer, and patterning and firing the carbon nanotube paste, including using a photolithography method, to retain only portions of the CNT paste coated on spaces between the electrodes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2007
    Publication date: June 19, 2008
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jung-im HAN, Soo-hyung CHOI, Jeong-hee LEE, Soo-suk LEE, Jeong-na HEO
  • Patent number: 7352178
    Abstract: Described herein is a magnetoresistive network responsive to a magnetic field of the type comprising a plurality of magnetoresistive elements. According to the invention, the one or more magnetoresistive elements comprise at least one magnetoresistive element in the form of nanoconstriction, the nanoconstriction comprising at least two pads made of magnetic material, associated to which are respective magnetizations oriented in directions substantially opposite to one another and connected through a nanochannel, the nanochannel being able to set up a domain wall that determines an electrical resistance of the nanoconstriction as a function of the position, with respect to said nanochannel, of said domain wall formed in said sensor device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Assignee: C.R.F. Società Consortile per Azioni
    Inventors: Daniele Pullini, Antonio Ruotolo
  • Patent number: 7312095
    Abstract: An electronic system for selectively detecting and identifying a plurality of chemical species, which comprises an array of nanostructure sensing devices, is disclosed. Within the array, there are at least two different selectivities for sensing among the nanostructure sensing devices. Methods for fabricating the electronic system are also disclosed. The methods involve modifying nanostructures within the devices to have different selectivity for sensing chemical species. Modification can involve chemical, electrochemical, and self-limiting point defect reactions. Reactants for these reactions can be supplied using a bath method or a chemical jet method. Methods for using the arrays of nanostructure sensing devices to detect and identify a plurality of chemical species are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: Nanomix, Inc.
    Inventors: Jean-Christophe P. Gabriel, Philip G. Collins, Keith Bradley, George Gruner
  • Patent number: 7267797
    Abstract: A system and method for detecting changes in the refractive index of a fluid in a small test volume. A change in the refractive index can indicate a change in the chemical composition of the fluid. The test volume has a depth comparable to or less than the wavelength of incident light. In one embodiment, an internal surface of the volume is coated with a binding partner selected to bind with a targeted molecule. When the targeted molecule binds to the binding partner, the optical properties of the system change. The refractive index is determined by illuminating the test volume with laser light and measuring transmitted or reflected light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2007
    Assignee: Cornell Research Foundation, Inc.
    Inventors: Harold G. Craighead, Jun Kameoka
  • Publication number: 20070204681
    Abstract: A carbon thin line probe having a carbon thin line selectively formed at a projection-like terminal end portion thereof by means of an irradiation of high-energy beam, the carbon thin line internally containing a metal. Thereby achieved is a carbon thin line probe suitable for example for the probe of SPM cantilever, which has a high aspect ratio and high durability and reliability, capability of batch processing based on a simple manufacturing method, and to which magnetic characteristic can be imparted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2007
    Publication date: September 6, 2007
    Applicant: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masashi Kitazawa, Masaki Tanemura, Junya Tanaka, Tatsuhiko Okita
  • Patent number: 7258838
    Abstract: A solid state nanopore device including two or more materials and a method for fabricating the same. The device includes a solid state insulating membrane having an exposed surface, a conductive material disposed on at least a portion of the exposed surface of the solid state membrane, and a nanopore penetrating an area of the conductive material and at least a portion of the solid state membrane. During fabrication a conductive material is applied on a portion of a solid state membrane surface, and a nanopore of a first diameter is formed. When the surface is exposed to an ion beam, material from the membrane and conductive material flows to reduce the diameter of the nanopore. A method for evaluating a polymer molecule using the solid state nanopore device is also described. The device is contacted with the polymer molecule and the molecule is passed through the nanopore, allowing each monomer of the polymer molecule to be monitored.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2007
    Assignee: President and Fellows of Harvard College
    Inventors: Jiali Li, Derek M. Stein, Gregor M. Schurmann, Gavin M. King, Jene Golovchenko, Daniel Branton, Michael Aziz
  • Patent number: 7226530
    Abstract: Polymer nanofibers, such as polyaniline nanofibers, with uniform diameters less than 500 nm can be made in bulk quantities through a facile aqueous and organic interfacial polymerization method at ambient conditions. The nanofibers have lengths varying from 500 nm to 10 ?m and form interconnected networks in a thin film. Thin film nanofiber sensors can be made of the polyaniline nanofibers having superior performance in both sensitivity and time response to a variety of gas vapors including, acids, bases, redox active vapors, alcohols and volatile organic chemicals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2007
    Assignees: The Aerospace Corporation, Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Bruce H. Weiller, Shabnam Virji, Richard B. Kaner, Jiaxing Huang
  • Patent number: 7186460
    Abstract: The invention relates to core-shell particles comprising a shell which forms a matrix, and a core which is essentially solid and has an essentially monodisperse size distribution, the refractive index of the core material being different from that of the shell material. The invention especially relates to the use of said particles for producing sensors for detecting mechanical forces and sensors having an optical effect, essentially consisting of core-shell particles comprising a shell which forms a matrix and a core which is essentially solid and has an essentially monodisperse size distribution, the refractive index of the core material being different from that of the shell material. The inventive particles are characterised in that at least one contrast material is stored in the matrix.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: Merck Patent GmbH
    Inventors: Holger Winkler, Ralf Anselmann
  • Patent number: 7155343
    Abstract: The device implements nanotechnology by embedding nanocircuits with sensors to surfaces such as walls, wall coverings, clothing, windows, window coverings, flooring, roofs, roadways and telephone poles. Using a plurality of nanocircuits in a multitude of locations, events can be continuously detected and recorded without intrusion, and reconstructed at a later time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2006
    Inventors: Charles A. Grant, Eugene F. Grant