Patents by Inventor Xiangfeng Duan

Xiangfeng Duan has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20060211183
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for an electronic substrate having a plurality of semiconductor devices is described. A thin film of nanowires is formed on a substrate. The thin film of nanowires is formed to have a sufficient density of nanowires to achieve an operational current level. A plurality of semiconductor regions are defined in the thin film of nanowires. Contacts are formed at the semiconductor device regions to thereby provide electrical connectivity to the plurality of semiconductor devices. Furthermore, various materials for fabricating nanowires, thin films including p-doped nanowires and n-doped nanowires, nanowire heterostructures, light emitting nanowire heterostructures, flow masks for positioning nanowires on substrates, nanowire spraying techniques for depositing nanowires, techniques for reducing or eliminating phonon scattering of electrons in nanowires, and techniques for reducing surface states in nanowires are described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2006
    Publication date: September 21, 2006
    Applicant: Nanosys, Inc.
    Inventors: Xiangfeng Duan, Chunming Niu, Stephen Empedocles, Linda Romano, Jian Chen, Vijendra Sahi, Lawrence Bock, David Stumbo, J. Parce, Jay Goldman
  • Patent number: 7105428
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to systems and methods for nanowire growth and harvesting. In an embodiment, methods for nanowire growth and doping are provided, including methods for epitaxial oriented nanowire growth using a combination of silicon precursors. In a further aspect of the invention, methods to improve nanowire quality through the use of sacrifical growth layers are provided. In another aspect of the invention, methods for transferring nanowires from one substrate to another substrate are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2006
    Assignee: Nanosys, Inc.
    Inventors: Yaoling Pan, Xiangfeng Duan, Robert S. Dubrow, Jay L. Goldman, Shahriar Mostarshed, Chunming Niu, Linda T. Romano, Dave Stumbo
  • Publication number: 20060175601
    Abstract: The present invention relates generally to sub-microelectronic circuitry, and more particularly to nanometer-scale articles, including nanoscale wires which can be selectively doped at various locations and at various levels. In some cases, the articles may be single crystals. The nanoscale wires can be doped, for example, differentially along their length, or radially, and either in terms of identity of dopant, concentration of dopant, or both. This may be used to provide both n-type and p-type conductivity in a single item, or in different items in close proximity to each other, such as in a crossbar array. The fabrication and growth of such articles is described, and the arrangement of such articles to fabricate electronic, optoelectronic, or spintronic devices and components.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2005
    Publication date: August 10, 2006
    Applicant: President and Fellows of Harvard College
    Inventors: Charles Lieber, Xiangfeng Duan, Yi Cui, Yu Huang, Mark Gudiksen, Lincoln Lauhon, Jianfang Wang, Hongkun Park, Qingqiao Wei, Wenjie Liang, David Smith, Deli Wang, Zhaohui Zhong
  • Publication number: 20060169788
    Abstract: Macroelectronic substrate materials incorporating nanowires are described. These are used to provide underlying electronic elements (e.g., transistors and the like) for a variety of different applications. Methods for making the macroelectronic substrate materials are disclosed. One application is for transmission an reception of RF signals in small, lightweight sensors. Such sensors can be configured in a distributed sensor network to provide security monitoring. Furthermore, a method and apparatus for a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag is described. The RFID tag includes an antenna and a beam-steering array. The beam-steering array includes a plurality of tunable elements. A method and apparatus for an acoustic cancellation device and for an adjustable phase shifter that are enabled by nanowires are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2005
    Publication date: August 3, 2006
    Applicant: Nanosys, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen Empedocles, David Stumbo, Chunming Niu, Xiangfeng Duan
  • Patent number: 7083104
    Abstract: Macroelectronic substrate materials incorporating nanowires are described. These are used to provide underlying electronic elements (e.g., transistors and the like) for a variety of different applications. Methods for making the macroelectronic substrate materials are disclosed. One application is for transmission an reception of RF signals in small, lightweight sensors. Such sensors can be configured in a distributed sensor network to provide security monitoring. Furthermore, a method and apparatus for a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag is described. The RFID tag includes an antenna and a beam-steering array. The beam-steering array includes a plurality of tunable elements. A method and apparatus for an acoustic cancellation device and for an adjustable phase shifter that are enabled by nanowires are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2006
    Assignee: Nanosys, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen A. Empedocles, David P. Stumbo, Chunming Niu, Xiangfeng Duan
  • Publication number: 20060151820
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for an electronic substrate having a plurality of semiconductor devices is described. A thin film of nanowires is formed on a substrate. The thin film of nanowires is formed to have a sufficient density of nanowires to achieve an operational current level. A plurality of semiconductor regions are defined in the thin film of nanowires. Contacts are formed at the semiconductor device regions to thereby provide electrical connectivity to the plurality of semiconductor devices. Furthermore, various materials for fabricating nanowires, thin films including p-doped nanowires and n-doped nanowires, nanowire heterostructures, light emitting nanowire heterostructures, flow masks for positioning nanowires on substrates, nanowire spraying techniques for depositing nanowires, techniques for reducing or eliminating phonon scattering of electrons in nanowires, and techniques for reducing surface states in nanowires are described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2006
    Publication date: July 13, 2006
    Applicant: Nanosys, Inc.
    Inventors: Xiangfeng Duan, Chunming Niu, Stephen Empedocles, Linda Romano, Jian Chen, Vijendra Sahi, Lawrence Bock, David Stumbo, J. Parce, Jay Goldman
  • Patent number: 7067867
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for an electronic substrate having a plurality of semiconductor devices is described. A thin film of nanowires is formed on a substrate. The thin film of nanowires is formed to have a sufficient density of nanowires to achieve an operational current level. A plurality of semiconductor regions are defined in the thin film of nanowires. Contacts are formed at the semiconductor device regions to thereby provide electrical connectivity to the plurality of semiconductor devices. Furthermore, various materials for fabricating nanowires, thin films including p-doped nanowires and n-doped nanowires, nanowire heterostructures, light emitting nanowire heterostructures, flow masks for positioning nanowires on substrates, nanowire spraying techniques for depositing nanowires, techniques for reducing or eliminating phonon scattering of electrons in nanowires, and techniques for reducing surface states in nanowires are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2006
    Assignee: Nanosys, Inc.
    Inventors: Xiangfeng Duan, Chunming Niu, Stephen Empedocles, Linda T. Romano, Jian Chen, Vijendra Sahi, Lawrence Bock, David Stumbo, J. Wallace Parce, Jay L. Goldman
  • Patent number: 7064372
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for an electronic substrate having a plurality of semiconductor devices is described. A thin film of nanowires is formed on a substrate. The thin film of nanowires is formed to have a sufficient density of nanowires to achieve an operational current level. A plurality of semiconductor regions are defined in the thin film of nanowires. Contacts are formed at the semiconductor device regions to thereby provide electrical connectivity to the plurality of semiconductor devices. Furthermore, various materials for fabricating nanowires, thin films including p-doped nanowires and n-doped nanowires, nanowire heterostructures, light emitting nanowire heterostructures, flow masks for positioning nanowires on substrates, nanowire spraying techniques for depositing nanowires, techniques for reducing or eliminating phonon scattering of electrons in nanowires, and techniques for reducing surface states in nanowires are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2006
    Assignee: Nanosys, Inc.
    Inventors: Xiangfeng Duan, Chunming Niu, Stephen Empedocles, Linda T. Romano, Jian Chen, Vijendra Sahi, Lawrence A. Bock, David P. Stumbo, J. Wallace Parce, Jay L. Goldman
  • Publication number: 20060040103
    Abstract: Ligand compositions for use in preparing discrete coated nanostructures are provided, as well as the coated nanostructures themselves and devices incorporating same. Methods for post-deposition shell formation on a nanostructure and for reversibly modifying nanostructures are also provided. The ligands and coated nanostructures of the present invention are particularly useful for close packed nanostructure compositions, which can have improved quantum confinement and/or reduced cross-talk between nanostructures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2005
    Publication date: February 23, 2006
    Applicant: NANOSYS, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffery Whiteford, Rhett Brewer, Mihai Buretea, Jian Chen, Karen Cruden, Xiangfeng Duan, William Freeman, David Heald, Francisco Leon, Chao Liu, Andreas Meisel, Kyu Min, J. Parce, Erik Scher
  • Publication number: 20060019472
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to systems and methods for nanowire growth and harvesting. In an embodiment, methods for nanowire growth and doping are provided, including methods for epitaxial oriented nanowire growth using a combination of silicon precursors. In a further aspect of the invention, methods to improve nanowire quality through the use of sacrifical growth layers are provided. In another aspect of the invention, methods for transferring nanowires from one substrate to another substrate are provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2005
    Publication date: January 26, 2006
    Applicant: Nanosys, Inc.
    Inventors: Yaoling Pan, Xiangfeng Duan, Robert Dubrow, Jay Goldman, Shahriar Mostarshed, Chunming Niu, Linda Romano, Dave Stumbo
  • Publication number: 20060008942
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods to harvest, integrate and exploit nanomaterials, and particularly elongated nanowire materials. The invention provides methods for harvesting nanowires that include selectively etching a sacrificial layer placed on a nanowire growth substrate to remove nanowires. The invention also provides methods for integrating nanowires into electronic devices that include placing an outer surface of a cylinder in contact with a fluid suspension of nanowires and rolling the nanowire coated cylinder to deposit nanowires onto a surface. Methods are also provided to deposit nanowires using an ink-jet printer or an aperture to align nanowires. Additional aspects of the invention provide methods for preventing gate shorts in nanowire based transistors. Additional methods for harvesting and integrating nanowires are provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2005
    Publication date: January 12, 2006
    Applicant: Nanosys, Inc.
    Inventors: Linda Romano, Jian Chen, Xiangfeng Duan, Robert Dubrow, Stephen Empedocles, Jay Goldman, James Hamilton, David Heald, Francesco Lemmi, Chunming Niu, Yaoling Pan, George Pontis, Vijendra Sahi, Erik Scher, David Stumbo, Jeffery Whiteford
  • Publication number: 20050287717
    Abstract: Methods for forming or patterning nanostructure arrays are provided. The methods involve formation of arrays on coatings comprising nanostructure association groups, patterning using resist, and/or use of devices that facilitate array formation. Related devices for forming nanostructure arrays are also provided, as are devices including nanostructure arrays (e.g., memory devices).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2005
    Publication date: December 29, 2005
    Applicant: NANOSYS, Inc.
    Inventors: David Heald, Karen Cruden, Xiangfeng Duan, Chao Liu, J. Parce
  • Publication number: 20050279274
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to compositions of matter, systems, and methods to manufacture nanowires. In an embodiment, a buffer layer is placed on a nanowire growth substrate and catalytic nanoparticles are added to form a catalytic-coated nanowire growth substrate. Methods to develop and use this catalytic-coated nanowire growth substrate are disclosed. In a further aspect of the invention, in an embodiment a nanowire growth system using a foil roller to manufacture nanowires is provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2005
    Publication date: December 22, 2005
    Inventors: Chunming Niu, Jay Goldman, Xiangfeng Duan, Vijendra Sahi
  • Publication number: 20050202615
    Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for nanoenabled memory devices and anisotropic charge carrying arrays are described. In an aspect, a memory device includes a substrate, a source region of the substrate, and a drain region of the substrate. A thin film of nanoelements is formed on the substrate above a channel region. A gate contact is formed on the thin film of nanoelements. The nanoelements allow for reduced lateral charge transfer. The memory device may be a single or multistate memory device. In a multistate memory device, nanoelements are present having a plurality of charge injection voltages, to provide multiple states. In another aspect, a printing device includes a charge diffusion layer that includes a matrix containing a plurality of nanoelements configured to be anisotropically electrically conductive through the charge diffusion layer to transfer charge to areas of the first surface with reduced lateral charge spread.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2004
    Publication date: September 15, 2005
    Applicant: Nanosys, Inc.
    Inventors: Xiangfeng Duan, Chunming Niu, David Stumbo, Calvin Chow
  • Publication number: 20050201149
    Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for nanoenabled memory devices and anisotropic charge carrying arrays are described. In an aspect, a memory device includes a substrate, a source region of the substrate, and a drain region of the substrate. A population of nanoelements is deposited on the substrate above a channel region, the population of nanolements in one embodiment including metal quantum dots. A tunnel dielectric layer is formed on the substrate overlying the channel region, and a metal migration barrier layer is deposited over the dielectric layer. A gate contact is formed over the thin film of nanoelements. The nanoelements allow for reduced lateral charge transfer. The memory device may be a single or multistate memory device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2004
    Publication date: September 15, 2005
    Applicant: Nanosys, Inc.
    Inventors: Xiangfeng Duan, Calvin Chow, David Heald, Chunming Niu, J. Parce, David Stumbo
  • Publication number: 20050181587
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for an electronic substrate having a plurality of semiconductor devices is described. A thin film of nanowires is formed on a substrate. The thin film of nanowires is formed to have a sufficient density of nanowires to achieve an operational current level. A plurality of semiconductor regions are defined in the thin film of nanowires. Contacts are formed at the semiconductor device regions to thereby provide electrical connectivity to the plurality of semiconductor devices. Furthermore, various materials for fabricating nanowires, thin films including p-doped nanowires and n-doped nanowires, nanowire heterostructures, light emitting nanowire heterostructures, flow masks for positioning nanowires on substrates, nanowire spraying techniques for depositing nanowires, techniques for reducing or eliminating phonon scattering of electrons in nanowires, and techniques for reducing surface states in nanowires are described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2005
    Publication date: August 18, 2005
    Applicant: Nanosys, Inc.
    Inventors: Xiangfeng Duan, Chunming Niu, Stephen Empedocles, Linda Romano, Jian Chen, Vijendra Sahi, Lawrence Bock, David Stumbo, J. Parce, Jay Goldman
  • Publication number: 20050164432
    Abstract: A bulk-doped semiconductor that is at least one of the following: a single crystal, an elongated and bulk-doped semiconductor that, at any point along its longitudinal axis, has a largest cross-sectional dimension less than 500 nanometers, and a free-standing and bulk-doped semiconductor with at least one portion having a smallest width of less than 500 nanometers. Such a semiconductor may comprise an interior core comprising a first semiconductor; and an exterior shell comprising a different material than the first semiconductor. Such a semiconductor may be elongated and my have, at any point along a longitudinal section of such a semiconductor, a ratio of the length of the section to a longest width is greater than 4:1, or greater than 10:1, or greater than 100:1, or even greater than 1000:1.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2005
    Publication date: July 28, 2005
    Applicant: President and Fellows of Harvard College
    Inventors: Charles Lieber, Yi Cui, Xiangfeng Duan, Yu Huang
  • Publication number: 20050110064
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for an electronic substrate having a plurality of semiconductor devices is described. A thin film of nanowires is formed on a substrate. The thin film of nanowires is formed to have a sufficient density of nanowires to achieve an operational current level. A plurality of semiconductor regions are defined in the thin film of nanowires. Contacts are formed at the semiconductor device regions to thereby provide electrical connectivity to the plurality of semiconductor devices. Furthermore, various materials for fabricating nanowires, thin films including p-doped nanowires and n-doped nanowires, nanowire heterostructures, light emitting nanowire heterostructures, flow masks for positioning nanowires on substrates, nanowire spraying techniques for depositing nanowires, techniques for reducing or eliminating phonon scattering of electrons in nanowires, and techniques for reducing surface states in nanowires are described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2004
    Publication date: May 26, 2005
    Applicant: Nanosys, Inc.
    Inventors: Xiangfeng Duan, Chunming Niu, Stephen Empedocles, Linda Romano, Jian Chen, Vijendra Sahi, Lawrence Bock, David Stumbo, J. Parce, Jay Goldman
  • Publication number: 20050079659
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for an electronic substrate having a plurality of semiconductor devices is described. A thin film of nanowires is formed on a substrate. The thin film of nanowires is formed to have a sufficient density of nanowires to achieve an operational current level. A plurality of semiconductor regions are defined in the thin film of nanowires. Contacts are formed at the semiconductor device regions to thereby provide electrical connectivity to the plurality of semiconductor devices. Furthermore, various materials for fabricating nanowires, thin films including p-doped nanowires and n-doped nanowires, nanowire heterostructures, light emitting nanowire heterostructures, flow masks for positioning nanowires on substrates, nanowire spraying techniques for depositing nanowires, techniques for reducing or eliminating phonon scattering of electrons in nanowires, and techniques for reducing surface states in nanowires are described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2003
    Publication date: April 14, 2005
    Inventors: Xiangfeng Duan, Chunming Niu, Stephen Empedocles, Linda Romano, Jian Chen, Vijendra Sahi, Lawrence Bock, David Stumbo, J. Parce, Jay Goldman
  • Patent number: 6872645
    Abstract: Methods of positioning and orienting nanostructures, and particularly nanowires, on surfaces for subsequent use or integration. The methods utilize mask based processes alone or in combination with flow based alignment of the nanostructures to provide oriented and positioned nanostructures on surfaces. Also provided are populations of positioned and/or oriented nanostructures, devices that include populations of positioned and/or oriented nanostructures, systems for positioning and/or orienting nanostructures, and related devices, systems and methods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2005
    Assignee: Nanosys, Inc.
    Inventors: Xiangfeng Duan, Hugh Daniels, Chunming Niu, Vijendra Sahi, James Hamilton, Linda T. Romano