Abstract: A catalyst material for carbon nanotube synthesis includes a uniform dispersion of host particles on a substrate. The host particles themselves include catalyst nanoparticles that are effective to catalyze nanotube syntheses reactions and provide nucleation sites. Methods for preparing catalyst materials include co-sputtering a catalytic species and a host species to form a precursor thin film on a substrate, followed by an oxidation reaction of the precursor thin film in air. The precursor thin film can be patterned on the substrate to limit the locations of the catalyst material to well-defined areas. Methods for nanotube synthesis employ CVD in conjunction with the catalyst materials of the invention. During the synthesis, the catalyst nanoparticles catalyze carbon nanotubes to grown from a carbon-containing gas.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the present invention provides for a nanotube-based sensor for detecting a biomolecule comprising one or a plurality of nanotubes, a first electrode and a second electrode connected to said nanotubes, a microfluidic system, and a plurality of immobilized biomolecules, wherein said plurality of immobilized biomolecules are immobilized on said plurality of nanotubes, said plurality of nanotubes are integrated to said microfluidic system, and said first electrode and said second electrode are connected to provide to electrical readout. In another embodiment, said plurality of immobilized biomolecules are immobilized on said substrate or said electrodes or the said microfluidics system. In another embodiment, the sensors are integrated to provide an array of sensors. The present invention further provides for methods to detect a biomolecule using the nanotube-based sensors or arrays of sensors.

Abstract: In one embodiment a method for sensing specific molecules is provided. The method comprises forming a nanoelement structure and forming two spaced apart electrodes in contact with the nanoelement structure, wherein at least one of the electrodes is capable of functioning as a sensing element to sense the specific molecules.