Abstract: A system and method for making nanoparticles. The system includes a first cathode including a first metal tube associated with a first end and a second end, a first anode including a second metal tube associated with a third end and a fourth end, and a first container including a first gas inlet. The first end and the third end are located inside the first container. The first end and the third end are separated by a first gap, the first metal tube is configured to allow a first gas to flow from the second end to the first end, and the first container is configured to allow a second gas to flow from the first gas inlet into the second metal tube through at least a first part of the first gap.

Abstract: A nanoparticle for emitting or absorbing light, and a system and method for making thereof. A nanoparticle for emitting or absorbing light includes a nanoparticle core including a core material and a nanoparticle surface passivated by at least a passivating material.

Abstract: A coated nanotube that includes an inner nanotube having an exterior surface, and a plasma deposited layer covering at least part of the exterior surface of the inner nanotube. Also, a method of making a coated nanotube, the method where the method includes the steps of generating a plasma from a coating precursor, and exposing an inner nanotube to the plasma, where a plasma deposited layer is formed on at least a portion of the inner nanotube. Additionally, a method of making a coated nanotube that includes the steps of providing an inner nanotube, and evaporating a metal into the inner nanotube, where the metal forms a coating layer on at least a portion of the inner nanotube.

Abstract: Embodiments in accordance with the present invention relate to techniques for the growth and attachment of single wall carbon nanotubes (SWNT), facilitating their use as robust and well-characterized tools for AFM imaging and other applications. In accordance with one embodiment, SWNTs attached to an AFM tip can function as a structural scaffold for nanoscale device fabrication on a scanning probe. Such a probe can trigger, with nanometer precision, specific biochemical reactions or conformational changes in biological systems. The consequences of such triggering can be observed in real time by single-molecule fluorescence, electrical, and/or AFM sensing. Specific embodiments in accordance with the present invention utilize sensing and manipulation of individual molecules with carbon nanotubes, coupled with single-molecule fluorescence imaging, to allow observation of spectroscopic signals in response to mechanically induced molecular changes.

Abstract: A method of operation and an apparatus for providing excimer radiation is performed in and comprised of a plurality of microdischarge stages respectively. Each stage is comprised of a cathode element and anode-like element through which elements a selected gas flows. The microdischarge stages of the plurality are serially communicated with each other such that the gas flows in succession through each stage of the plurality. A power supply is coupled to each stage for providing a correspondingly selected plasma voltage to each stage to initiate and/or maintain an excimer plasma within each stage.