Abstract: A conductor for a communications cable includes an elongated metal wire and a metal sheet that includes a plurality of carbon nanotubes that at least partially surrounds the elongated metal wire. The metal wire may include copper, and the metal sheet may likewise include copper and may be welded to an outside surface of the metal wire to surround the metal wire. This conductor may be used in a variety of communications cables that carry high frequency signals.

Abstract: Engineered defects are reproduced in-situ with graphene via a combination of surface manipulation and epitaxial reproduction. A substrate surface that is lattice-matched to graphene is manipulated to create one or more non-planar features in the hexagonal crystal lattice. These non-planar features strain and asymmetrically distort the hexagonal crystal lattice of epitaxially deposited graphene to reproduce “in-situ” engineered defects with the graphene. These defects may be defects in the classic sense such as Stone-Wales defect pairs or blisters, ridges, ribbons and metacrystals. Nano or micron-scale structures such as planar waveguides, resonant cavities or electronic devices may be constructed from linear or closed arrays of these defects. Substrate manipulation and epitaxial reproduction allows for precise control of the number, density, arrangement and type of defects. The graphene may be removed and template reused to replicate the graphene and engineered defects.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a method for producing titanium dioxide nanotubes, the method comprising anodizing titanium metal in contact with an electrolytic medium containing an ionic liquid. The invention is also directed to the resulting titanium dioxide nanotubes, as well as devices incorporating the nanotubes, such as photovoltaic devices, hydrogen generation devices, and hydrogen detection devices.

Abstract: A memory array includes a plurality of memory cells, each of which receives a bit line, a first word line, and a second word line. Each memory cell includes a cell selection circuit, which allows the memory cell to be selected. Each memory cell also includes a two-terminal switching device, which includes first and second conductive terminals in electrical communication with a nanotube article. The memory array also includes a memory operation circuit, which is operably coupled to the bit line, the first word line, and the second word line of each cell. The circuit can select the cell by activating an appropriate line, and can apply appropriate electrical stimuli to an appropriate line to reprogrammably change the relative resistance of the nanotube article between the first and second terminals. The relative resistance corresponds to an informational state of the memory cell.

Abstract: An organic electroluminescence element having a cathode as a top electrode, and excelling in luminance efficiency, drive voltage, and operational life is provided. The organic electroluminescence element includes an anode over a substrate and a luminescent layer over the anode. The luminescent layer comprises an organic material. An electron injection layer is over the luminescent layer for injecting electrons into the luminescent layer. The electron injection layer is a metal including at least one of an alkaline metal and an alkaline earth metal. A fullerene layer is over the electron injection layer and includes fullerenes and at least one of an alkaline metal and an alkaline earth metal. The at least one of the alkaline metal and the alkaline earth metal included in the fullerene layer has a lower work function than a lowest unoccupied molecular orbit energy level of the fullerenes. A cathode is over the fullerene layer.

Abstract: A chlorine gas sensor system includes carbon nanotubes at least partially coated with a metal oxide deposited on a substrate, and a source of infra-red light positioned to illuminate at least a portion of the coated nanotubes.

Abstract: A method for realizing a nanometric circuit architecture includes: realizing plural active areas on a semiconductor substrate; realizing on the substrate a seed layer of a first material; realizing a mask-spacer of a second material on the seed layer in a region comprised between the active areas; realizing a mask overlapping the mask-spacer and extending in a substantially perpendicular direction thereto; selectively removing the seed layer exposed on the substrate; selectively removing the mask and the mask-spacer obtaining a seed-spacer comprising a linear portion extending in that region and a portion substantially orthogonal thereto; realizing by MSPT from the seed-spacer an insulating spacer reproducing at least part of the profile of the seed-spacer; realizing by MSPT a nano-wire of conductive material from the seed-spacer or insulating spacer, the nano-wire comprising a first portion at least partially extending in the region and a second portion contacting a respective active area.

Abstract: Particles are provided which are suitable for delivery from a particle-mediated delivery device. The particles are obtained by precipitating a nucleic acid on inert metal carrier particles in the presence of a nucleic acid condensing agent and a metal ion chelating agent. Also described are processes for preparing the particles, and therapeutic methods using the particles including methods of nucleic acid immunization and gene therapy.

Abstract: A circuit substrate includes an electrically conductive layer having electrically conductive patterns formed therein, an insulating layer having a through hole, and a composite layer positioned between the electrically conductive layer and the insulating layer. The through hole is configured for having an electronic component mounted thereon. The composite layer includes a polymer matrix and at least one carbon nanotube bundle embedded in the polymer matrix. One end of the at least one carbon nanotube bundle contacts the electrically conductive patterns, and the other is exposed in the through hole of the insulation layer.

Abstract: Solid and hollow cylindrical nanopillars with nanoscale diameters are provided. Also provides is a method of making such nanopillars using electron beam lithography followed by the electroplating.

Abstract: In general, in one aspect, the invention features a method that includes preparing a mixture comprising water, a basic amino acid, and a metal oxide precursor under conditions which result in the formation of metal oxide nanoparticles from the metal oxide precursor.

Abstract: Direct resistive heating is used to grow nanotubes out of carbon and other materials. A growth-initiated array of nanotubes is provided using a CVD or ion implantation process. These processes use indirect heating to heat the catalysts to initiate growth. Once growth is initiated, an electrical source is connected between the substrate and a plate above the nanotubes to source electrical current through and resistively heat the nanotubes and their catalysts. A material source supplies the heated catalysts with carbon or another material to continue growth of the array of nanotubes. Once direct heating has commenced, the source of indirect heating can be removed or at least reduced. Because direct resistive heating is more efficient than indirect heating the total power consumption is reduced significantly.

Abstract: The inventive method for forming nano-dimensional clusters consists in introducing a solution containing a cluster-forming material into nano-pores of natural or artificial origin contained in a substrate material and in subsequently exposing said solution to a laser radiation pulse in such a way that a low-temperature plasma producing a gaseous medium in the domain of the existence thereof, wherein a cluster material is returned to a pure material by the crystallization thereof on a liquid substrate while the plasma is cooling, occurs, thereby forming mono-crystal quantum dots spliced with the substrate material. Said method makes it possible to form two- or three-dimensional cluster lattices and clusters spliced with each other from different materials. The invention also makes it possible to produce wires from different materials in the substrate nano-cavities and the quantum dots from the solution micro-drops distributed through an organic material applied to a glass.

Abstract: Light-emitting diodes, and methods of manufacturing the light-emitting diode, are provided wherein a plurality of nano-rods may be formed on a reflection electrode. The plurality of nano-rods extend perpendicularly from an upper surface of the reflection electrode. Each of the nano-rods includes a first region doped with a first type dopant, a second region doped with a second type dopant that is an opposite type to the first type dopant, and an active region between the first region and the second region. A transparent insulating layer may be formed between the plurality of nano-rods. A transparent electrode may be formed on the plurality of nano-rods and the transparent insulating layer.

Abstract: Methods of the present invention can be used to synthesize nanowires with controllable compositions and/or with multiple elements. The methods can include coating solid powder granules, which comprise a first element, with a catalyst. The catalyst and the first element should form when heated a liquid, mixed phase having a eutectic or peritectic point. The granules, which have been coated with the catalyst, can then be heated to a temperature greater than or equal to the eutectic or peritectic point. During heating, a vapor source comprising the second element is introduced. The vapor source chemically interacts with the liquid, mixed phase to consume the first element and to induce condensation of a product that comprises the first and second elements in the form of a nanowire.

Abstract: Techniques for forming metal catalyst particles on a metal tip, and nanostructures on a metal tip are provided.

Abstract: A precursor chiral nanotube with a specified chirality is grown using an epitaxial process and then cloned. A substrate is provided of crystal material having sheet lattice properties complementary to the lattice properties of the selected material for the nanotube. A cylindrical surface(s) having a diameter of 1 to 100 nanometers are formed as a void in the substrate or as crystal material projecting from the substrate with an orientation with respect to the axes of the crystal substrate corresponding to the selected chirality. A monocrystalline film of the selected material is epitaxially grown on the cylindrical surface that takes on the sheet lattice properties and orientation of the crystal substrate to form a precursor chiral nanotube. A catalytic particle is placed on the precursor chiral nanotube and atoms of the selected material are dissolved into the catalytic particle to clone a chiral nanotube from the precursor chiral nanotube.

Abstract: A structure comprises at least a porous body holding a substance releasably, comprising a capping member for keeping the substance inside the pore and/or on at least a part of the entire surface of the porous body, and a connecting member for connecting the porous body and the capping member separably, the connecting member comprising a biopolymer compound. A method for releasing a substance from the structure set forth comprises the steps of applying stimulation from outside to the structure, and cleaving at least one of the bonding between the connecting member and the capping member and the bonding between the connecting member and the porous member to make the substance releasable from the structure.

Abstract: This invention provides novel nanofiber enhanced surface area substrates and structures comprising such substrates for use in various medical devices, as well as methods and uses for such substrates and medical devices. In one particular embodiment, a method of administering a composition to a patient is disclosed which comprises providing a composition-eluting device, said composition-eluting device comprising at least a first surface and a plurality of nanostructures attached to the first surface, and introducing the composition-eluting device into the body of the patient.

Abstract: The present invention comprises novel “one-step” methods for the production of gold sol and gold sol conjugates. The methods disclosed herein produce gold sol and colloidal gold conjugates with product with yields on the order of about 20 ODs. Since current methods in the art yield conjugates at concentrations on the order of about 2 ODs, the present invention represents an approximately 10-fold increase in production over conventional methods. The novel method provided herein also does not result in the production of undesired aggregate by-products that, in conventional methods, must be removed via centrifugation, filtration or other means. The new method is therefore less labor intensive and requires less time to complete than standard methods in the art for synthesizing pure colloidal gold conjugates.

Abstract: An actuator capable of flagellar motion is disclosed. The actuator comprises a carbon nanotube (CNT) rope and at least one metal/CNT composite part formed on the CNT rope.

Abstract: A plurality of conductive pads (2) are formed on a mounting surface of a mounting board. Conductive pads (11) are formed on a principal surface of a semiconductor chip (10) at positions corresponding to the conductive pads of the mounting board, when the principal surface faces toward the mounting board. A plurality of conductive nanotubes (12) extend from the conductive pads of one of the mounting board and the semiconductor chip. A press mechanism (3) presses the semiconductor chip against the mounting board and restricts a position of the semiconductor chip on the mounting surface to mount the semiconductor chip on the mounting board, in a state that tips of the conductive nanotubes are in contact with the corresponding conductive pads not formed with the conductive nanotubes.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a composition useful for making homogeneously mineralized self assembled peptide-amphiphile nanofibers and nanofiber gels. The composition is generally a solution comprised of a positively or negatively charged peptide-amphiphile and a like signed ion from the mineral. Mixing this solution with a second solution containing a dissolved counter-ion of the mineral and/or a second oppositely charged peptide amphiphile, results in the rapid self assembly of the peptide-amphiphiles into a nanofiber gel and templated mineralization of the ions. Templated mineralization of the initially dissolved mineral cations and anions in the mixture occurs with preferential orientation of the mineral crystals along the fiber surfaces within the nanofiber gel. One advantage of the present invention is that it results in homogenous growth of the mineral throughout the nanofiber gel.

Abstract: Semiconductor devices may be fabricated using nanowires. In an example embodiment, a conductive gate may be used to control conduction along the nanowires, in which case one of the contacts is a drain and the other a source. The nanowires may be grown in a trench or through-hole in a substrate or in particular in an epitaxial layer on substrate. In another example embodiment, the gate may be provided only at one end of the nanowires. The nanowires can be of the same material along their length; alternatively different materials can be used, especially different materials adjacent to the gate and between the gate and the base of the trench.

Abstract: CNT materials comprising aligned carbon nanotubes (CNTs) with pre-determined site densities, catalyst substrate materials for obtaining them and methods for forming aligned CNTs with controllable densities on such catalyst substrate materials are described. The fabrication of films comprising site-density controlled vertically aligned CNT arrays of the invention with variable field emission characteristics, whereby the field emission properties of the films are controlled by independently varying the length of CNTs in the aligned array within the film or by independently varying inter-tubule spacing of the CNTs within the array (site density) are disclosed. The fabrication of microelectrode arrays (MEAs) formed utilizing the carbon nanotube material of the invention is also described.

Abstract: A hosting structure of nanometric components is described comprising a substrate, a first multi-spacer level comprising a first plurality of spacers including first conductive spacers parallel to each other, and at least a second multi-spacer level realized above said first multi-spacer level and comprising a second plurality of spacers arranged transversally to said first plurality of spacers and including at least a lower discontinuous insulating layer and an upper layer, including in turn second conductive spacers. In particular, each pair of spacers of the second multi-spacer level defines with a spacer of the first multi-spacer level a plurality of nanometric hosting seats having at least a first and a second conduction terminal realized by portions of the first conductive spacers and of the second conductive spacers faced in the hosting seats. A method for manufacturing such a structure is also described.

Abstract: The present invention relates composite core/shell nanoparticles and a two-step method for their preparation. The present invention further relates to biomolecule-core/shell nanoparticle conjugates and methods for their preparation. The invention also relates to methods of detection of biomolecules comprising the biomolecule or specific binding substance-core/shell nanoparticle conjugates.

Abstract: The invention provides a nanolithographic protosubstrate adapted for nanolithographic formation of nanostructures on the protosubstrate comprising: a substrate having a top surface exposed for nanolithographic formation of nanostructures, wherein the top surface comprises: electrically insulating surface regions; and at least one discreet electrode topology surrounded by the electrically insulating surface regions, wherein the electrode topology is adapted with electrical interconnections for electrically coupling the electrode topology to an external device.

Abstract: A method of easily manufacturing a nano-gap electrode by using a focused ion beam lithography includes a layer depositing step of depositing an electrode layer and a metal mask layer in this order on an insulating substrate, a mask pattern forming step of etching the metal mask layer by using the focused ion beam and thereby forming a mask pattern, a dry etching step of transferring a pattern to the electrode layer by dry etching, and a wet etching step of removing the metal mask layer by using a solution that selectively dissolves the metal mask layer compared to the electrode layer.