Abstract: A method for forming an array of elongated nanostructures includes in one embodiment, providing a member having a top surface, forming a plurality of pores in the member having an upper portion opening onto the top surface and a lower portion to form a template, and the upper portion being sized greater than the lower portion, introducing a catalyst in the lower portion of the plurality of pores and below the upper portion, and growing a plurality of elongated nanostructures from the catalyst spaced from the sides of the upper portion of the plurality of pores.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for generating high frequency electromagnetic energy using a secondary emission electron source. An x-ray source is therefore provided having a primary electron emitter, a secondary emission member, and an anode. The primary electron emitter provides a primary electron current directed to the secondary emission member. The secondary emission member then generates a secondary electron current which causes x-ray generation when impinging upon the anode.

Abstract: A photovoltaic device includes a substrate having at least two surfaces and a multilayered film disposed on at least a portion of at least one surface of the substrate. Elongated nanostructures are disposed on the multilayered film. The device incorporates a top layer of the multilayered film contacting the elongated nanostructures that is a tunnel junction. The device has at least one layer deposited over the elongated nanostructures defining a portion of a photoactive junction. A solar panel includes at least one photovoltaic device. The solar panel isolates each such devices from its surrounding atmospheric environment and permits the generation of electrical power.

Abstract: A photovoltaic device that includes a substrate and a nanowall structure disposed on the substrate surface. The device also includes at least one layer conformally deposited over the nanowall structure. The conformal layer(s) is at least a portion of a photoactive junction. A method for making a photovoltaic device includes generating a nanowall structure on a substrate surface and conformally depositing at least one layer over the nanowall structure thereby forming at least one photoactive junction. A solar panel includes at least one photovoltaic device based on a nanowall structure. The solar panel isolates such devices from its surrounding atmospheric environment and permits the generation of electrical power. Optoelectronic device may also incorporate a photovoltaic device based on a nanowall structure.

Abstract: In some embodiments, the present invention is directed to compositionally-graded hybrid nanostructure-based photovoltaic devices comprising elongated semiconductor nanostructures and an amorphous semiconductor single layer with continuous gradation of doping concentration across its thickness from substantially intrinsic to substantially conductive. In other embodiments, the present invention is directed to methods of making such photovoltaic devices, as well as to applications which utilize such devices (e.g., solar cell modules).

Abstract: A photovoltaic device that includes a plurality of elongated nanostructures disposed on the surface of a substrate and a multilayered film deposited conformally over the elongated nanostructures forming a plurality of photoactive junctions. A method making such a photovoltaic device includes generating a plurality of elongated nanostructures on a substrate surface and conformally depositing a multilayered film forming a plurality of photoactive junctions. The plurality of photoactive junctions are designed to capture different wavelengths of light. A solar panel includes at least one photovoltaic device.

Abstract: A method for forming an array of elongated nanostructures, includes in one embodiment, providing a substrate, providing a template having a plurality of pores on the substrate, and removing portions of the substrate under the plurality of pores of the template to form a plurality of cavities. A catalyst is provided in the plurality of cavities in the substrate, and the pores of the template are widened to expose the substrate around the catalyst so that the catalyst is spaced from the sides of the plurality of pores of the template. A plurality of elongated nanostructures is grown from the catalyst spaced from the sides of the pores of the template.

Abstract: In some embodiments, the present invention is directed to photovoltaic (PV) devices comprising silicon (Si) nanowires as active PV elements, wherein such devices are typically thin film Si solar cells. Generally, such solar cells are of the p-i-n type and can be fabricated for front and/or backside (i.e., top and/or bottom) illumination. Additionally, the present invention is also directed at methods of making and using such devices, and to systems and modules (e.g., solar panels) employing such devices.

Abstract: A structure includes a substrate and a metallized carbon nano-structure extending from a portion of the substrate. In a method of making a metallized carbon nanostructure, at least one carbon structure formed on a substrate is placed in a furnace. A metallic vapor is applied to the carbon nanostructure at a preselected temperature for a preselected period of time so that a metallized nanostructure.

Abstract: In a method of making a field emitter, at least one post (120) is formed on a semiconductor substrate (110). The post (120) extends upwardly from the substrate (110). The post (120) is monocrystalline with the substrate (110). A dielectric layer (130) is deposited on the substrate (110). The dielectric layer (130) defines a via (132) therethrough about the post (120). A conductive gate layer (140) is applied to the dielectric layer (130) so that the conductive gate layer (140) defines an opening that is juxtaposed with the via (132). At least one nanostructure (150) is grown upwardly from the top surface of the post (120).

Abstract: An electronic device such as a sensor or a NEMS. The electronic device comprises at least one substrate; a plurality of electrodes disposed on the substrate; and at least one nano-wire growing from an edge of a first electrode to an edge of a second electrode. A method for making an electrode structure by providing a substrate; forming a plurality of electrodes on the substrate; growing at least one nano-wire from the edge of a first electrode; and connecting the at least one nano-wire to the edge of a second electrode is also disclosed.

Abstract: An electronic device such as a sensor or a NEMS. The electronic device comprises at least one substrate; a plurality of electrodes disposed on the substrate; and at least one nano-wire growing from an edge of a first electrode to an edge of a second electrode. A method for making an electrode structure by providing a substrate; forming a plurality of electrodes on the substrate; growing at least one nano-wire from the edge of a first electrode; and connecting the at least one nano-wire to the edge of a second electrode is also disclosed.

Abstract: An electronic device such as a sensor or a NEMS. The electronic device comprises at least one substrate; a plurality of electrodes disposed on the substrate; and at least one nano-wire growing from an edge of a first electrode to an edge of a second electrode. A method for making an electrode structure by providing a substrate; forming a plurality of electrodes on the substrate; growing at least one nano-wire from the edge of a first electrode; and connecting the at least one nano-wire to the edge of a second electrode is also disclosed.

Abstract: An electronic device such as a sensor or a NEMS. The electronic device comprises at least one substrate; a plurality of electrodes disposed on the substrate; and at least one nano-wire growing from an edge of a first electrode to an edge of a second electrode. A method for making an electrode structure by providing a substrate; forming a plurality of electrodes on the substrate; growing at least one nano-wire from the edge of a first electrode; and connecting the at least one nano-wire to the edge of a second electrode is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention is directed toward a method for fabricating low-defect nanostructures of wide bandgap materials and to optoelectronic devices, such as light emitting sources and lasers, based on them. The invention utilizes nanolithographically-defined templates to form nanostructures of wide bandgap materials that are energetically unfavorable for dislocation formation. In particular, this invention provides a method for the fabrication of phosphor-less monolithic white light emitting diodes and laser diodes that can be used for general illumination and other applications.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to photovoltaic devices comprising nanostructured materials, wherein such photovoltaic devices are comprised exclusively of inorganic components. Depending on the embodiment, such nanostructured materials are either 1-dimensional nanostructures or branched nanostructures, wherein such nanostructures are used to enhance the efficiency of the photovoltaic device, particularly for solar cell applications. Additionally, the present invention is also directed at methods of making and using such devices.

Abstract: A structure includes a substrate and a metallized carbon nano-structure extending from a portion of the substrate. In a method of making a metallized carbon nanostructure, at least one carbon structure formed on a substrate is placed in a furnace.

Abstract: The present invention provides a nano-calorimeter device operable for measuring and characterizing the thermodynamic and other physical properties of materials that are confined to essentially nano-scale dimensions. The nano-calorimeter device including a thin film membrane having a first surface and a second surface. The nano-calorimeter device also including a frame structure disposed adjacent to and in thermal contact with the first surface of the thin film membrane, the frame structure defining a plurality of hollow cells adjacent to and in thermal contact with the first surface of the thin film membrane.

Abstract: The present invention provides a nano-calorimeter device operable for measuring and characterizing the thermodynamic and other physical properties of materials that are confined to essentially nano-scale dimensions. The nano-calorimeter device including a thin film membrane having a first surface and a second surface. The nano-calorimeter device also including a frame structure disposed adjacent to and in thermal contact with the first surface of the thin film membrane, the frame structure defining a plurality of hollow cells adjacent to and in thermal contact with the first surface of the thin film membrane.

Abstract: A technique for selectively attenuating a radiation exposure in which a configurable collimator is employed between the radiation source and the radiation target. The configurable collimator typically comprises an array of independently addressable elements each of which has at least a high and a low attenuation state, though intermediate states may also be accommodated. The elements of the array may be selectively addressed to determine their state and to determine the attenuation profile of the collimator. One embodiment of the technique employs an array of microactuated attenuating louvers which may be selectively actuated to determine their radiation transmittance. A second embodiment of the technique employs a suspension of attenuating nematic colloids which may be ordered by the application of an electric or magnetic field. The ordered state of the nematic colloids within an element determine the radiation transmittance of that element.