Abstract: Apparatus and methods for facilitating an intramolecular reaction that occurs in single collisions of CO2 molecules (or their derivatives amenable to controllable acceleration, such as CO2+ ions) with a solid surface, such that molecular oxygen (or its relevant analogs, e.g., O2+ and O2? ions) is directly produced are provided. The reaction is driven by kinetic energy and is independent of surface composition and temperature. The methods and apparatus may be used to remove CO2 from Earth's atmosphere, while, in other embodiments, the methods and apparatus may be used to prevent the atmosphere's contamination with CO2 emissions. In yet other embodiments, the methods and apparatus may be used to obtain molecular oxygen in CO2-rich environments, such as to facilitate exploration of extraterrestrial bodies with CO2-rich atmospheres (e.g. Mars).

Abstract: Nanostructured materials, and methods and apparatus for their production are provided. Nanostructured materials comprise nanofibers having nanoparticles deposited along the outer surface thereof. The size of the nanofibers and nanoparticles, and the spacing of such nanoparticles along the nanofibers may be controlled over a wide range. Nanostructured materials may comprise a plurality of such nanofibers interwoven together to form fiber cloth-like materials. Many materials may be used to form the nanofibers including polymer nanofiber materials (e.g., polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), etc.) along with compatible nanoparticle materials (e.g., salts or other crystallizable materials).

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for facilitating an intramolecular reaction that occurs in single collisions of CO2 molecules (or their derivatives amenable to controllable acceleration, such as CO2+ ions) with a solid surface, such that molecular oxygen (or its relevant analogs, e.g., O2+ and O2? ions) is directly produced are provided. The reaction is driven by kinetic energy and is independent of surface composition and temperature. The methods and apparatus may be used to remove CO2 from Earth's atmosphere, while, in other embodiments, the methods and apparatus may be used to prevent the atmosphere's contamination with CO2 emissions. In yet other embodiments, the methods and apparatus may be used to obtain molecular oxygen in CO2-rich environments, such as to facilitate exploration of extraterrestrial bodies with CO2-rich atmospheres (e.g. Mars).

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for facilitating an intramolecular reaction that occurs in single collisions of CO2 molecules (or their derivatives amenable to controllable acceleration, such as CO2+ ions) with a solid surface, such that molecular oxygen (or its relevant analogs, e.g., O2+ and O2? ions) is directly produced are provided. The reaction is driven by kinetic energy and is independent of surface composition and temperature. The methods and apparatus may be used to remove CO2 from Earth's atmosphere, while, in other embodiments, the methods and apparatus may be used to prevent the atmosphere's contamination with CO2 emissions. In yet other embodiments, the methods and apparatus may be used to obtain molecular oxygen in CO2-rich environments, such as to facilitate exploration of extraterrestrial bodies with CO2-rich atmospheres (e.g. Mars).

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for facilitating an intramolecular reaction that occurs in single collisions of CO2 molecules (or their derivatives amenable to controllable acceleration, such as CO2+ ions) with a solid surface, such that molecular oxygen (or its relevant analogs, e.g., O2+ and O2? ions) is directly produced are provided. The reaction is driven by kinetic energy and is independent of surface composition and temperature. The methods and apparatus may be used to remove CO2 from Earth's atmosphere, while, in other embodiments, the methods and apparatus may be used to prevent the atmosphere's contamination with CO2 emissions. In yet other embodiments, the methods and apparatus may be used to obtain molecular oxygen in CO2-rich environments, such as to facilitate exploration of extraterrestrial bodies with CO2-rich atmospheres (e.g. Mars).

Abstract: Nanostructured materials, and methods and apparatus for their production are provided. Nanostructured materials comprise nanofibers having nanoparticles deposited along the outer surface thereof. The size of the nanofibers and nanoparticles, and the spacing of such nanoparticles along the nanofibers may be controlled over a wide range. Nanostructured materials may comprise a plurality of such nanofibers interwoven together to form fiber cloth-like materials. Many materials may be used to form the nanofibers including polymer nanofiber materials (e.g., polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), etc.) along with compatible nanoparticle materials (e.g., salts or other crystallizable materials).

Abstract: A continuous flow mobility classifier provide the ability to perform two-dimensional separation in mass spectrometry. An ionization system is used to ionize a sample. A differential mobility analyzer (DMA) (e.g., a nano-radial DMA) is coupled to the ionization system and to a mass spectrometer. The nano-RDMA is configured to separate the ionized sample by mobility for subsequent mass analysis by the mass spectrometer.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of preparing a nanostructure material on a substrate. The method includes spraying an aqueous solution from a capillary to the substrate, wherein the aqueous solution includes an electrolyte and an alcohol. The method also includes applying an electrical bias between the capillary and the substrate, such that the electrolyte deposits on the substrate forming the nanostructure material. The present invention also provides the nanostructure material prepared by this method.

Abstract: A continuous flow mobility classifier provide the ability to perform two-dimensional separation in mass spectrometry. An ionization system is used to ionize a sample. A differential mobility analyzer (DMA) (e.g., a nano-radial DMA) is coupled to the ionization system and to a mass spectrometer. The nano-RDMA is configured to separate the ionized sample by mobility for subsequent mass analysis by the mass spectrometer.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of preparing a nanostructure material on a substrate. The method includes spraying an aqueous solution from a capillary to the substrate, wherein the aqueous solution includes an electrolyte and an alcohol. The method also includes applying an electrical bias between the capillary and the substrate, such that the electrolyte deposits on the substrate forming the nanostructure material. The present invention also provides the nanostructure material prepared by this method.

Abstract: A metal-filled nanostructure and fabrication methods thereof are discussed. A metal-filled nanostructure according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises a metal filling and a nanostructure shell, and may provide superior conductivity and contact resistance over those inherent in the nanostructure shell. In a preferred embodiment, the metal filled nanostructure comprises a continuous metal nanowire inserted into a single-walled carbon nanotube using an electrowetting technique.

Abstract: A plurality of particles for blocking electromagnetic radiation wherein each particle includes at least one semiconductor core encased within a shell, the semiconductor cores being of substantially uniform diameter, which diameter is selected according to the quantum size effect such that radiation incident on the particles is absorbed below a preselected radiation wavelength. In particular embodiments, the diameter may not vary between cores by more than a preselected percentage, and the diameter may fall within the range of approximately one to approximately five nanometers. Each particle may have a single semiconductor core surrounded by a single shell or a plurality of semiconductor particles surrounded by a single shell. In other embodiments, the particles may be created by forming at least one semiconductor core in a first reaction zone and forming a shell encapsulating the at least one semiconductor core in a second reaction zone.

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 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: An apparatus and method for converting methane to methanol by partial oxidation comprises a source of methane, a source of oxygen, and a capillary tube having an outflow end and an inflow end communicating with the sources of methane and oxygen. An anode is positioned proximate to but spaced from the capillary tube. A voltage source negatively biases the capillary tube relative to the anode. A plasma jet flows from the outflow end of the capillary tube. The methane partially oxidizes into methanol in a reaction zone in the plasma jet. A collector receives the methanol in the plasma jet for subsequent condensation, separation and purification.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for converting methane to methanol by partial oxidation comprises a source of methane, a source of oxygen, and a capillary tube having an outflow end and an inflow end communicating with the sources of methane and oxygen. An anode is positioned proximate to but spaced from the capillary tube. A voltage source negatively biases the capillary tube relative to the anode. A plasma jet flows from the outflow end of the capillary tube. The methane partially oxidizes into methanol in a reaction zone in the plasma jet. A collector receives the methanol in the plasma jet for subsequent condensation, separation and purification.

Abstract: Hollow cathode microdischarges in a tube geometry provides the formation of stable, high-pressure discharges in a variety of flowing gases including argon, helium, nitrogen, and hydrogen. Direct current discharges are ignited in stainless steel capillary tubes (dhole=178 &mgr;m) which are operated as the cathode and using a metal grid or plate as the anode. Argon discharges can be sustained at atmospheric pressure with voltages as low as 260 V for cathode-anode gaps of 0.5 mm. In one embodiment using a molybdenum substrate as the anode, microjets are struck in H2/CH4 mixtures at 200 Torr to deposit diamond films with well-faceted crystals. Optical emission spectroscopy of discharges used for growth confirms the presence of atomic hydrogen and CH radicals. Ballasting of individual tubes allows parallel operation of the microjets for larger area materials processing.

Abstract: Hollow cathode microdischarges in a tube geometry provides the formation of stable, high-pressure discharges in a variety of flowing gases including argon, helium, nitrogen, and hydrogen. Direct current discharges are ignited in stainless steel capillary tubes (dhole=178 &mgr;m) which are operated as the cathode and using a metal grid or plate as the anode. Argon discharges can be sustained at atmospheric pressure with voltages as low as 260 V for cathode-anode gaps of 0.5 mm. In one embodiment using a molybdenum substrate as the anode, microjets are struck in H2/CH4 mixtures at 200 Torr to deposit diamond films with well-faceted crystals. Optical emission spectroscopy of discharges used for growth confirms the presence of atomic hydrogen and CH radicals. Ballasting of individual tubes allows parallel operation of the microjets for larger area materials processing.

Abstract: An at-least dual chamber apparatus and method in which high flux beams of fast moving neutral reactive species are created, collimated and used to etch semiconductor or metal materials from the surface of a workpiece. Beams including halogen atoms are preferably used to achieve anisotropic etching with good selectivity at satisfactory etch rates. Surface damage and undercutting are minimized.

Abstract: Applicants have discovered that gallium arsenide surfaces can be dry passivated without heating or ion bombardment by exposing them downstream to ammonia plasma formation. Specifically, a workpiece having exposed gallium arsenide surfaces is passivated by placing the workpiece in an evacuable chamber, evacuating in the chamber, generating an ammonia plasma removed from the immediate vicinity of the workpiece, and causing the plasma products to flow downstream into contact with the workpiece. Preferably the plasma gas pressure is 0.5 to 6.0 Torr, the substrate temperature is less than 100.degree. C. and the time of exposure is in excess of 5 min. The plasma should be generated at a location sufficiently removed from the workpiece that the workpiece surface is not bombarded with ions capable of damaging the surface (more than about 10 cm) and sufficiently close to the workpiece that reactive plasma products exist in the flow (within about 30 cm).