Abstract: To provide nanotweezers and a nanomanipulator which allow great miniaturization of the component and are capable of gripping various types of nano-substances such as insulators, semiconductors and conductors and of gripping nano-substances of various shapes.

Abstract: A method for sharpening a nanotube including the steps of: connecting the base end portion of a nanotube to an electrode with the tip end portion of the nanotube protruded from the electrode; connecting the tip end portion of the nanotube to another electrode; applying a voltage between the electrodes so as to cause an electric current to flow in the middle portion of the nanotube which is located between the two electrodes; evaporating constituent atoms of the nanotube layer by layer from a evaporation starting region, which is located in the middle region of the nanotube (and can be a crystal defect region, or a curved portion), by the heat generated by the electric current, thus reducing the diameter of the evaporation starting region; and cutting the evaporation starting region that has the reduced diameter, thus forming a sharpened end on the nanotube.

Abstract: The present invention realizes a probe with a high resolution, high rigidity and high bending elasticity which can be used in a scanning probe microscope and makes it possible to pick up images of surface atoms with a high resolution. Also, a high-precision input-output probe which can be used in high-density magnetic information processing devices is also realized.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing an indium-tin-iron catalyst that is used to obtain carbon nanocoils that have an external diameter of 1000 nm or less, the method comprising a first process that forms an organic solution by mixing an indium-containing organic compound and a tin-containing organic compound with an organic solvent, a second process that forms an organic film by coating a substrate with the thus obtained organic solution, a third process that forms an indium-tin film by baking this organic film, and a fourth process that forms an iron film on the surface of this indium-tin film.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing an indium-tin-iron type catalyst that is used to obtain carbon nanocoils that have an external diameter of 1000 nm or less, the method comprising a first process that forms an organic solution by mixing an indium-containing organic compound and a tin-containing organic compound with an organic solvent, a second process that forms an organic film by coating a substrate with the thus obtained organic solution, a third process that forms an indium-tin film by baking this organic film, and a fourth process that forms an iron film on the surface of this indium-tin film.

Abstract: A nano-magnetic head for inputting and outputting magnetic signals with nano-region precision on a magnetic recording medium such as magnetic tapes, magnetic cards, magnetic disks, magnetic drums, etc. The nano-magnetic head uses a nanotube with its base end portion fastened to a holder that is at an end of an AFM cantilever. The tip end portion of the nanotube protrudes from the holder, and a nanocoil is wound around the outer circumference of the tip end portion of the nanotube so that signals are inputted and outputted at both ends of the nanocoil. By way of lining up ferromagnetic metal atoms in the hollow portion of the nanotube, it is possible to strengthen the magnetic signal. The nano-magnetic head is combinable with a signal controller, thus forming a nano-magnetic head device.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing carbon nanocoils which are grown by winding carbon atoms in a helical configuration and which have an external diameter of 1000 nm or less, the method comprising the steps of: placing an indium-tin-iron type catalyst inside a reactor, heating an area around the catalyst to a temperature equal to or greater than temperature at which hydrocarbon used as a raw material is broken down by an action of the catalyst, causing hydrocarbon gas to flow through the reactor so that the gas contacts the catalyst, and allowing carbon nanocoils to grow on a surface of the catalyst while the hydrocarbon is broken down in the vicinity of the catalyst. The indium-tin-iron type catalyst may be obtained by: a mixed catalyst of indium oxide and tin oxide, and a thin film of iron which is formed on a surface of this mixed catalyst.

Abstract: The fusion-welded nanotube surface signal probe of the present invention is constructed from a nanotube, a holder which holds the nanotube, a fusion-welded part fastening a base end portion of the nanotube to a surface of the holder by fusion-welding, a tip end portion of the nanotube being caused to protrude from the holder; and the tip end portion is used as a probe needle so as to scan surface signals. This fusion-welded nanotube surface signal probe can be used as a probe in AFM (Atomic Force Microscope), STM (Scanning Tunneling Microscope), other SPM (Scanning Probe icroscope) and so on.

Abstract: A lithographic method using an ultra-fine probe needle in which a base end of a nanotube is fastened to a holder with the tip end of the nanotube protruded from the holder. The tip end of the thus obtained nanotube probe needle is brought to contact a sample surface, a voltage is applied across the probe needle and sample, and the probe needle is moved while the sample substance in the area of contact of the probe needle is removed by the application of the voltage, thus forming a groove-form pattern on the sample surface.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing carbon nanocoils which are grown by winding carbon atoms in a helical configuration and which have an external diameter of 1000 nm or less, the method comprising the steps of: placing an indium-tin-iron type catalyst inside a reactor, heating an area around the catalyst to a temperature equal to or greater than temperature at which hydrocarbon used as a raw material is broken down by an action of the catalyst, causing hydrocarbon gas to flow through the reactor so that the gas contacts the catalyst, and allowing carbon nanocoils to grow on a surface of the catalyst while the hydrocarbon is broken down in the vicinity of the catalyst. The indium-tin-iron type catalyst may be obtained by: a mixed catalyst of indium oxide and tin oxide, and a thin film of iron which is formed on a surface of this mixed catalyst.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing carbon nanocoils that uses a reactor, including the steps of: heating an interior of the reactor, causing a hydrocarbon gas to flow in the reactor, dispersing an indium/tin/iron-based catalyst in a form of particles in the hydrocarbon gas, and allowing carbon nanocoils to grow on a surface of the catalyst while decomposing the hydrocarbon near the catalyst. The method can be comprised of the steps of: disposing a rotor inside a reactor, heating an area near the peripheral surface of the rotor, causing a hydrocarbon gas to flow in the reactor, coating a part of the peripheral surface of the rotor with an indium/tin/iron-based catalyst that is in a form of particles, allowing carbon nanocoils to grow on a surface of the catalyst coated on the rotating rotor, and collecting carbon nanocoils, which are grown during a rotation of the rotor, from the rotor.

Abstract: A heat emitting probe including a conductive nanotube probe needle with its base end fastened to a holder and its tip end protruded, a heat emitting body formed on the probe needle, a conductive nanotube lead wire fastened to the heat emitting body, and an electric current supply that causes an electric current to pass through the conductive nanotube lead wire and both ends of the probe needle. The tip end of the probe needle is thus heated by an electric current flowing through the heat emitting body. A heat emitting probe apparatus includes the above-described heat emitting probe, a scanning mechanism that allows the heat emitting probe to scan over a thermal recording medium, and a control circuit that causes the tip end of the probe needle to emit heat, thus recording extremely small hole patterns in the surface of a thermal recording medium.

Abstract: A light receiving and emitting probe including a conductive nanotube probe needle with its base end fastened to a holder and its tip end protruded, a light receiving and emitting body formed on this probe needle, a lead wire fastened to the light receiving and emitting body, and a power supply that applies an electric voltage between both ends of the lead wire and the probe needle. Light is emitted and received by the light receiving and emitting body when an electric current passes through the light receiving and emitting body. A light receiving and emitting probe apparatus includes the above-described light receiving and emitting probe, a scanning mechanism that allows the light receiving and emitting probe to scan over a sample, and a control circuit that causes the light receiving and emitting body of the light receiving and emitting probe to receive and emit a light.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a nanotube cartridge including the steps of: adhering numerous nanotubes to a surface of a holder, disposing a knife edge at an inclination to the surface of the holder so that the knife edge is raised with its tip end being in contact with the surface of the holder, and collecting the nanotubes to near the tip end of the knife edge by moving the knife edge in a direction opposite from the tip end with the tip end being kept in contact with the surface, thus allowing the nanotubes to be arranged on the tip end of the knife edge with the nanotubes protruding from the tip end. When adhering the nanotubes to the holder surface, nanotubes are merely put in a vessel, the holder is placed in the vessel, and then the vessel is vibrated.

Abstract: A highly functional material characterized in that a photocatalyst comprising fine particles of rutile type titanium dioxide strongly supporting ultra-fine metal particles selected from the group consisting of Pt, Au, Pd, Rh, Pu and Ag with a particle diameter of 1 nm to 5 nm by firing treatment so as to exhibit a quantum tumbling effect of electron between the metal particles and the rutile type titanium dioxide and the photocatalyst is scattered on a surface of the base material so as to be irradiated by a light with wavelength smaller than about 407 nm.

Abstract: A temperature-controlled quick heat roller having an electrical resistance heater sheet provided on an inner surface of the cylinder. The electrical resistance heater is made of at least a high-temperature-coefficient resistance layer so that when the high-temperature-coefficient resistance layer is heated by an electric current, the cylinder is set to a prescribed fixing temperature. Also, the heat roller has a property in which heating electrical power drops as the temperature thereof rises.

Abstract: A highly functional base material and a method of manufacturing the same. The highly functional base material is made from a photocatalyst comprising fine particles of rutile type titanium dioxide supporting ultra-fine metal particles selected from the group consisting of Pt, Au, Pd, Rh, Ag and Ru with a particle diameter which manifest a quantum size effect is held on a base material. The method includes applying a layer of fine particles or rutile type titanium dioxide which support ultra-fine metal particles thereon to the surface of the base material.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel compounds which contain no sulfur or chlorine, and which thus contribute to the cleaning of the environment as organo-metal complexes used in metal pastes, etc., and a method for manufacturing the same.Metal acetylide compounds expressed by the general formula M(--C.tbd.C--R).sub.n (in the formula, M indicates a metal atom, n indicates the valence number of the metal atom M, and R indicates a hydrocarbon group with 1 to 8 carbon atoms which may or may not contain an oxygen atom) are provided as novel organo-metal complexes. Since these compounds contain no sulfur or chlorine, there is no release of sulfurous acid gas or chlorine compounds when the compounds are used in metal pastes, etc., even if the pastes are fired. Accordingly, these compounds contribute to the cleaning of the environment.

Abstract: A metallic composition such as a metal liquid, metal paste, etc. is manufactured by using a metal acetylide compound expressed by the general formula M(--C.tbd.C--R).sub.n (in the formula, M indicates a metal atom, n indicates the valence number of the metal atom M, and R is a hydrocarbon group which may or may not contain oxygen atoms) as an organo-metal source, and by mixing and kneading an organic solvent and/or a resin together with such a metal acetylide compound. When this metallic composition is applied in a desired pattern to prescribed portions of electronic elements or ornamental items such as porcelain vessels or glass, etc., and at least these prescribed portions are dried and heated, the result is that the organic substances other than the metal are broken down and released, and the metal alone is sintered in the pattern. This pattern shows an ornamental metallic luster in the case of ornamental items, and forms electrodes in the case of electronic elements.

Abstract: A photocatalytic substance whose photocatalytic efficiency is greatly strengthened by making an improvement over titanium dioxide on which micron-size fine metal particles are supported, a base material which holds this photocatalytic substance, and manufacturing methods therefor. By reducing the mean particle diameter of metal particles from the size of fine metal particles on the micron scale to the size of ultra-fine metal particles on the nano-scale, it was succeeded that the photocatalytic efficiency of photocatalytic substances such as titanium dioxide, etc. was greatly strengthened. In particular, the feature is that the particle diameter of the ultra-fine metal particles used is set in a range which allows the conspicuous manifestation of a quantum size effect, and the mean particle diameter is in the range of 1 to 10 nm.