Abstract: Carbon nanotubes may be selectively opened and their exposed ends functionalized. Opposite ends of carbon nanotubes may be functionalized in different fashions to facilitate self-assembly and other applications.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of processing a nanotube, comprising the steps of: causing a selective solid state reaction between a selected part of a nanotube and a reactive substance to have the selected part only become a reaction product; and separating the nanotube from the reaction product to define an end of the nanotube.

Abstract: Briefly, micromechanical system (MEMS) switches that utilize protective layers to protect electrical contact points.

Abstract: Systems and methods for detecting the presence of biomolecules in a sample using biosensors that incorporate resonators which have functionalized surfaces for reacting with target biomolecules. In one embodiment, a device includes a piezoelectric resonator having a functionalized surface configured to react with target molecules, thereby changing the mass and/or charge of the resonator which consequently changes the frequency response of the resonator. The resonator's frequency response after exposure to a sample is compared to a reference, such as the frequency response before exposure to the sample, a stored baseline frequency response or a control resonator's frequency response.

Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention is a technique to control carbon nanotubes (CNTs). A laser beam is focused to a carbon nanotube (CNT) in a fluid. The CNT is responsive to a trapping frequency. The CNT is manipulated by controlling the focused laser beam.

Abstract: Apparatus and system, as well as fabrication methods therefor, may include a thermal intermediate structure comprised of a plurality of carbon nanotubes some of which have organic moieties attached thereto to tether the nanotubes to at least one of a die and a heat sink. The organic moieties include thiol linkers and amide linkers.

Abstract: Briefly, micromechanical system (MEMS) switches that utilize protective layers to protect electrical contact points.

Abstract: Briefly, micromechanical system (MEMS) switches that utilize protective layers to protect electrical contact points.

Abstract: In a manufacturing method of carbon nanotubes by means of laser ablation, carbon molecules having 5-memberd carbon ring bonds (bonds of the pentagon of the fullerenes (C60, C70, C76, etc.)) are included at least in part of the laser irradiation target. By use of such laser irradiation targets, single-wall carbon nanotubes can be formed efficiently in a low temperature process of 500° C. or lower (at 400° C., for example). Carbon molecules having curved surfaces, such as carbon molecules having fullerene bonds, are preferably used in the laser irradiation target. As the carbon molecule having the fullerene bonds, a carbon molecule having a spherical surface, such as the C60 molecule, is preferably used. By use of such a laser irradiation target in a laser ablation process, single-wall carbon nanotubes can be formed efficiently in a low temperature process (at 400° C., for example).

Abstract: Carbon nanotubes are implemented in a manner that facilitates their orientation and arrangement for a variety of applications. According to an example embodiment of the present invention, an electric field is used to orient carbon nanotubes along a direction of the electric field (e.g., along a direction generally parallel to an electric field applied between two electrodes). In one implementation, the electric field is used to orient a nanotube that has already been grown. In another implementation, the electric field is used in situ, with nanotubes being aligned while they are grown. With these approaches, carbon nanotubes can be selectively oriented for one or more of a variety of implementations. Furthermore, arrays of aligned carbon nanotubes can be formed extending between circuit nodes having both similar and different orientations.

Abstract: An apparatus and system, as well as fabrication methods therefor, may include a thermal interface material comprised of an array of carbon nanotubes and a buffer layer disposed between the thermal interface material and one of a die or a heat spreader.

Abstract: A composite carbon nanotube structure comprising a number of carbon nanotubes disposed in a metal matrix. The composite carbon nanotube structure may be used as a thermal interface device in a packaged integrated circuit device.

Abstract: Briefly, micromechanical system (MEMS) switches that utilize protective layers to protect electrical contact points.

Abstract: A carbon nanotube is contacted with a reactive substance which is a metal or a semiconductor. The reactive substance is heated to diffuse atoms of the reactive substance into the carbon nanotube so that the carbon nanotube is partially transformed or converted into carbide as a reaction product. Thus, a heterojunction of the reaction product and the carbon nanotube is formed. For example, the carbon nanotube (2) is contacted with a silicon substrate (1). The silicon substrate (1) is heated to cause solid-solid diffusion of Si. As a result, SiC (3) is formed as the heterojunction. At least a part of a filament material of a carbon nanotube is irradiated with electromagnetic wave to deform the filament material.

Abstract: In embodiments of the present invention, the electric field of a focused laser beam induces a dipole in a single-walled carbon nanotube. The single-walled carbon nanotube has one or more resonant frequencies. When the frequency of the laser beam is less than a resonance frequency of the single-walled carbon nanotube, the single-walled carbon nanotube may be trapped and the laser beam may move the single-walled carbon nanotube from a first microfluidic laminar flow to a second microfluidic laminar flow. When the frequency of the laser beam is higher than a resonant frequency of the single-walled carbon nanotube, the single-walled carbon nanotube may be repelled and the laser beam may not move the single-walled carbon nanotube.

Abstract: According to one aspect of the invention, a semiconducting transistor is described. The channel portion of the transistor includes carbon nanotubes formed on top of an insulating layer which covers a local bottom gate. Source and drain conductors are located at ends of the carbon nanotubes. A gate dielectric surrounds a portion of the carbon nanotubes with a substantially uniform thickness. A local top gate is located between the source and drain conductors over the carbon nanotubes. Lower portions of the local top gate are positioned between the carbon nanotubes as the local top gate forms pi-gates or “wraparound” gates around each carbon nanotube.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of processing a nanotube, comprising the steps of: causing a selective solid state reaction between a selected part of a nanotube and a reactive substance to have the selected part only become a reaction product; and separating the nanotube from the reaction product to define an end of the nanotube.

Abstract: A carbon nanotube is contacted with a reactive substance which is a metal or a semiconductor. The reactive substance is heated to diffuse atoms of the reactive substance into the carbon nanotube so that the carbon nanotube is partially transformed or converted into carbide as a reaction product. Thus, a heterojunction of the reaction product and the carbon nanotube is formed. For example, the carbon nanotube (2) is contacted with a silicon substrate (1). The silicon substrate (1) is heated to cause solid-solid diffusion of Si. As a result, SiC (3) is formed as the heterojunction. At least a part of a filament material of a carbon nanotube is irradiated with electromagnetic wave to deform the filament material.

Abstract: A carbon nanotube is contacted with a reactive substance which is a metal or a semiconductor. The reactive substance is heated to diffuse atoms of the reactive substance into the carbon nanotube so that the carbon nanotube is partially transformed or converted into carbide as a reaction product. Thus, a heterojunction of the reaction product and the carbon nanotube is formed. For example, the carbon nanotube (2) is contacted with a silicon substrate (1). The silicon substrate (1) is heated to cause solid-solid diffusion of Si. As a result, SiC (3) is formed as the heterojunction. At least a part of a filament material of a carbon nanotube is irradiated with electromagnetic wave to deform the filament material.