Abstract: A smoke detector replaces the americium source of alpha particles with a field emission device using carbon nanotubes as the field emitters, or some other field emitter, in order to provide an ionization of the air potentially caring smoke particles through the smoke detector.

Abstract: Particles, which may include nanoparticles, are mixed with carbon nanotubes and deposited on a substrate to form a cold cathode. The particles enhance the field emission characteristics of the carbon nanotubes. An additional activation step may be performed on the deposited carbon nanotube mixture to further enhance the emission of electrons.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for assembly of small structures is disclosed. The present invention discloses electron beams created from one or more nanotips in an array operated in a field emission mode that can be controlled to apply heat to very well defined spots. The multiple electron beams may be generated and deflected and applied to electron beam heating and welding applications.

Abstract: Sensing a gas includes introducing a gas into a chamber, forming a standing acoustic wave in the chamber, and irradiating the chamber with electromagnetic radiation. Some of the electromagnetic radiation passes into the chamber, through the standing acoustic wave in the chamber, and out of the chamber. An amount of electromagnetic radiation that passes out of the chamber, or is transmitted through the chamber, is detected. A concentration of the gas in the chamber can be assessed.

Abstract: A hydrogen sensor and/or switch fabricated from an array of nanowires or a nanoparticle thick film composed of metal or metal alloys. The sensor and/or switch demonstrates a wide operating temperature range and shortened response time due to fabrication materials and methods. The nanowires or nanoparticle thick films demonstrate an increase in conductivity in the presence of hydrogen.

Abstract: A method for forming cathodes for use in field emission devices using nanoparticles, such as carbon nanotubes (CNTs), is disclosed. The CNT layer comprises the electron emitting material on the surface of the cathode. Using the methods of the present invention, the density of the deposited CNTs may be modulated by forming emitter islands on the surface of the cathode. The size and distribution of the CNT emitter islands serve to optimize the field emission properties of the resulting CNT layer. In one embodiment, the CNT emitter islands are formed using a screen-printing deposition method. The present invention may be practiced without further process steps after deposition which activate or align the carbon nanotubes for field emission.

Abstract: An optoelectronic modulator is based on the concentration of an electron beam from an electron gun by a tapered cavity, which sides are photosensitive and change the electrical conductivity under the illumination of light (electromagnetic radiation). The light modulation causes the corresponding changes in the current transported across the walls of the cavity. The remaining part of the electron current exits the cavity aperture and forms an amplitude-modulated divergent electron beam.

Abstract: An ion trap instrument working at atmospheric pressure, which alleviates requirements of bulky, power consuming vacuum pumps. Traps can accumulate selected ion species, effectively concentrating the analyte of interest and allowing laser spectroscopy to be performed. This lowers the detection threshold of this instrument compared to others and increases the selectivity.

Abstract: Carbon nanotubes are grown on a first substrate. The CNTs grown on the first substrate are immersed in a biological solution at a predetermined depth to functionalize ends of the CNTs with a biological molecule. The functionalized CNTs are harvested from the first substrate. A second substrate is functionalized with a complementary biological modification, which is a complementary binding partner to the biological molecule functionalized to the ends of the CNTs. The functionalized CNTs are attached to the second substrate by way of the complementary binding partner.

Abstract: Optical beam modulation is accomplished with the aid of a semiconductive nanomembrane, such as a silicon nanomembrane. A photocathode modulates a beam of charged particles that flow between the carbon nanotube emitter and the anode. A light source, or other source of electromagnetic radiation, supplies electromagnetic radiation that modulates the beam of charged particles. The beam of charged particles may be electrons, ions, or other charged particles. The electromagnetic radiation penetrates a silicon dioxide layer to reach the nanomembrane and varies the amount of available charge carriers within the nanomembrane, thereby changing the resistance of the nanomembrane. As the resistance of the nanomembrane changes, the amount of current flowing through the beam may also change.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to systems and methods for detecting biological and chemical species in liquid and gaseous phase. The systems and methods utilize carbon nanotubes to enhance sensitivity and selectivity towards the reacting species by decreasing interference and detecting a wide range of concentrations.

Abstract: Very low loading of impact modifier less than 4% can significantly improve elongation and impact strength of N6/clay nanocomposites and keep the high tensile strength and modulus. This rubber modified nylon nanocomposites have potential applications in fabricating high-strength fibers for textile industry, coatings for strings or polymer parts, and packaging industry.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are generally directed to the remote detection of explosives and other harmful materials. In some such embodiments, such remote detection involves the use of semiconducting nanoparticles. In some or other such embodiments, such remote detection involves the use of photoacoustic detection and/or spectroscopy. In some such latter embodiments, the photoacoustic system comprises a light source 201 that passes through a chopper 202 and into a photoacoustic cell 203 comprising the analyte gas. Pressure waves within the cell are detected as sound waves by microphones 204. The signal produced by the microphones can then be amplified and transmitted to a remote location, typically via a wireless means.

Abstract: A hydrogen sensor (100) with instant response that uses one or more quartz tuning forks (101, 102) while no chemical reactions or other material modifications are involved. Sensor (100) can be used in any application to measure percent range of hydrogen concentrations.

Abstract: A metallic composition including a solvent and a plurality of metal nanoparticles dispersed therein is formulated such that curing of the metallic composition on a substrate provides a metallic conductor with a resistivity of about 5×10?4 ?·cm or less. Electrical components of an assembly can be interconnected by a metallic conductor formed by curing the metallic composition on a substrate. A metallic composition including metal nanoparticles can be deposited on a substrate and solidified. The metallic composition can be contacted with a metal wire before or after solidification of the metallic composition and secured to the solidified metallic composition.

Abstract: A solution of metal ink is mixed and then printed or dispensed onto the substrate using the dispenser. The film then is dried to eliminate water or solvents. In some cases, a thermal curing step can be introduced subsequent to dispensing the film and prior to the photo-curing step. The substrate and deposited film can be cured using an oven or by placing the substrate on the surface of a heater, such as a hot plate. Following the drying and/or thermal curing step, a laser beam or focused light from the light source is directed onto the surface of the film in a process known as direct writing. The light serves to photo-cure the film such that it has low resistivity.

Abstract: The present invention is for a process of sensing chemicals with nanoparticles, particularly nanoparticles whose bandgap has been altered from that of their corresponding bulk material by reducing their particle size below their quantum confinement threshold. The photoluminescent properties of these nanoparticles can be altered as a result of interaction with their chemical environment. Thus, by carefully understanding how a particular chemical species alters the chemical environment and changes the photoluminescence of the nanoparticles, the identification of—and the screening for—a wide range of chemical species can be accomplished. Furthermore, in embodiments in which the chemical species of interest is a harmful material, detection and screening of said harmful material can be carried out in a pre-emptive manner.

Abstract: A photo-curing or photosintering process is utilized to modify, reduce or eliminate whiskers or nanowires growing on a material surface.

Abstract: A metallic ink including a vehicle, a multiplicity of copper nanoparticles, and an alcohol. The conductive metallic ink may be deposited on a substrate by methods including inkjet printing and draw-down printing. The ink may be pre-cured and cured to form a conductor on the substrate.

Abstract: Carbon nanotubes are grown on a first substrate. The CNTs grown on the first substrate are immersed in a biological solution at a predetermined depth to functionalize ends of the CNTs with a biological molecule. The functionalized CNTs are harvested from the first substrate. A second substrate is functionalized with a complementary biological modification, which is a complementary binding partner to the biological molecule functionalized to the ends of the CNTs. The functionalized CNTs are attached to the second substrate by way of the complementary binding partner.