Abstract: The disclosed system, device and method for molecular-scale electronic switching generally includes a carbon nanotube, an anode, a cathode and two conductive particles encapsulated within the carbon nanotube, wherein the particles are configured to move between high resistance and low resistance states. Disclosed features and specifications may be variously controlled, adapted or otherwise optionally modified to realize improved switching function.

Abstract: Polymeric sequence probes and methods are described that enhance the speed and sensitivity of detection of target analytes by combining a multiplicity of binding moieties specific for analyte, at least two of which are linearly arranged and optionally a multiplicity of detectable labels.

Abstract: A nanocrystal composite that includes a matrix including semiconductor nanocrystals, and a barrier layer disposed on at least a portion of the surface of the matrix and including a polymer with low oxygen permeability, low moisture permeability, or both.

Abstract: This invention uses mesoporous silica nanoparticles and other nanostructured materials to formulate polyacrylate-based bone cement for achieving an enhanced and controlled elution of active ingredients such as antibiotics. This invention overcomes the limitation of low antibiotic release from commercial polyacrylate-based bone cements using for example, PMMA. In certain aspects, the formulation enables a sustained release of antibiotics from the bone cement over a period of 80 days and achieves 70% of total drug release, whereas the commercial antibiotic bone cement (e.g., SmartSet GHV) only releases about 5% of the antibiotics on the first day and subsequently an almost negligible amount. In addition, the mechanical properties of our formulated bone cements are well retained. The inventive bone cement exhibits good antibacterial properties and has very low cytotoxicity to mouse fibroblast cells.

Abstract: Methods of making a cathode element for an electrochemical cell. The methods comprise providing hollow carbon nanotubes and a sulfur source in a closed environment. Sulfur is deposited within an interior of the hollow carbon nanotube. The method includes cleaning an exterior surface of the carbon nanotubes and incorporating the carbon nanotubes into a cathode element. A cathodic material for a lithium-sulfur electrochemical cell is also provided. The material comprises a plurality of stacked-cone carbon nanotubes. Each nanotube defines a hollow interior and has a substantially continuous exterior surface area. Elemental sulfur is disposed within the hollow interior of each nanotube.

Abstract: A system for self-repairing matrices such as concrete or cementitous matrices, polymeric matrices, and/or fibrous matrices, including laminates thereof. The system includes repair agents retained in and/or on vessels, such as hollow fibers, within the matrix. Upon impact, the vessel rupture, releasing the chemicals. For multi-layer laminates, the systems provides a total dynamic energetic circulation system that functions as an in situ fluidic system in at least one layer or area. The energy from the impact ruptures the vessels to release the chemical(s), and mixes the chemical(s) and pushes the chemical(s) and/or resulting compound through the matrix. The repair agents can withstand high temperatures, such as the heat of processing of many laminates, e.g., 250-350° F.

Abstract: Methods for synthesizing macroscale 3D heteroatom-doped carbon nanotube materials (such as boron doped carbon nanotube materials) and compositions thereof. Macroscopic quantities of three-dimensionally networked heteroatom-doped carbon nanotube materials are directly grown using an aerosol-assisted chemical vapor deposition method. The porous heteroatom-doped carbon nanotube material is created by doping of heteroatoms (such as boron) in the nanotube lattice during growth, which influences the creation of elbow joints and branching of nanotubes leading to the three dimensional super-structure. The super-hydrophobic heteroatom-doped carbon nanotube sponge is strongly oleophilic and an soak up large quantities of organic solvents and oil. The trapped oil can be burnt off and the heteroatom-doped carbon nanotube material can be used repeatedly as an oil removal scaffold.

Abstract: Provided herein is a new hybrid material system, mCNT, including magnetic carbon nanotubes for biological and medical sensing applications. In certain embodiments, the systems include magnetic material on the interior of carbon nanotubes (CNTs). The amount of magnetic particles inside CNTs may be such that mCNT can respond to small, low cost, portable magnet. The exterior CNT surface is kept intact for biomolecular attachments or other functionalizations. Performance enhancement with this novel material includes improved sensitivity, reduced response time, and reduced sample volume. According to various embodiments, the mCNTs are substrates for the adherence of molecules participating in these assays or as active sensing elements. Also provided are methods of fabricating two-dimensional mCNT and CNT networks on printed electrodes.

Abstract: Carbon nanotubes with a suspension or colloidal solution of functional nanoparticles and methods for production of carbon nanotubes loaded with functional nanoparticles are provided.

Abstract: A method is described herein for the providing of high quality graphene layers on silicon carbide wafers in a thermal process. With two wafers facing each other in close proximity, in a first vacuum heating stage, while maintained at a vacuum of around 10?6 Torr, the wafer temperature is raised to about 1500° C., whereby silicon evaporates from the wafer leaving a carbon rich surface, the evaporated silicon trapped in the gap between the wafers, such that the higher vapor pressure of silicon above each of the wafers suppresses further silicon evaporation. As the temperature of the wafers is raised to about 1530° C. or more, the carbon atoms self assemble themselves into graphene.

Abstract: This invention provides a platinum/carbon nanotube catalyst applicable to heterogeneous asymmetric hydrogenation, which is fabricated by supporting platinum on carbon nanotube carriers. The catalyst is prepared by the steps of: heating purified carbon nanotubes in nitric acid, filtering and washing the same with water until pH value of the filtrate becomes neutral, drying the carbon nanotubes; immersing the carbon nanotube carriers obtained in an aqueous chloroplatinic acid solution and carrying out ultrasonic treatment at room temperature; immersing the mixture of the carbon nanotubes and the aqueous chloroplatinic acid solution under stirring; drying the material by heating to 110° C. from room temperature and maintaining this temperature; grinding the product to fine powders, reducing the fine powders with an aqueous sodium formate solution under a heating condition, filtering and washing the product with deionized water, and drying the product.

Abstract: Provided are a conductive polymer-carbon nanotube composite including a carbon nanotube and a conductive polymer filled therein, and a method of manufacturing the same. The conductive polymer-carbon nanotube composite where a conductive polymer is filled in a carbon nanotube is manufactured by introducing a monomer of the conductive polymer into the carbon nanotube using a supercritical fluid technique and polymerizing the monomer. The conductive polymer-carbon nanotube composite is a novel nano-structure material which can overcome limitations that conventional materials may have, and thus can be applied to various applications such as sensors, electrode materials, nanoelectronic materials, etc.

Abstract: A carbon nanohorn (CNH) is oxidized to make an opening in the side of the CNH. A substance to be included, e.g., a metal, is introduced through the opening. The inclusion substance is moved to a tip part of the carbon nanohorn through heat treatment in vacuum or an inert gas. The CNH is further heat treated in an atmosphere containing oxygen in a low concentration to remove the carbon layer in the tip through catalysis of the inclusion substance. This exposes the inclusion substance. If the inclusion substance is a metal which is not moved to a tip part by the heat treatment in vacuum or an inert gas, the carbon part surrounding the fine catalyst particle is specifically burned by a heat treatment in an low oxygen concentration atmosphere, while utilizing the catalysis. Thus, the fine catalyst particle is fixed to the tip part of the CNH.

Abstract: A composite carbon nanotube structure includes a carbon nanotube structure and a graphite structure. The carbon nanotube structure includes a number of carbon nanotubes joined end to end by van der Waals attractive force therebetween. The graphite structure is filled in the carbon nanotube structure. The graphite structure and the carbon nanotube structure are combined by carbon-carbon bonds therebetween.

Abstract: The present invention provides: a carbon nanohorn composite including a carbon nanohorn, a substance encapsulated in the carbon nanohorn, and a polyamine adsorbed by chemical reaction firmly to a surface functional group present on the opening part on the surface of the carbon nanohorn, wherein the release amount and release rate of the encapsulated substance can be controlled using the difference in size, substituent or three-dimensional structure of the polyamine, which is used as a plug; a method of controlling the release of the encapsulated substance; and a process for producing the carbon nanohorn composite. The release amount and release rate of the substance encapsulated in the carbon nanohorn composite is controlled by selecting a polyamine molecule, which plugs the opening part formed in the carbon nanohorn by oxidation, by its size, substituent or three-dimensional structure.

Abstract: Methods, systems and devices are implemented in connection with rechargeable batteries. One such device includes a cathode that has lithiated sulfur. The device also includes a porous structure having pores containing the lithium-sulfide particles introduced during a manufacturing stage thereof.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to organized assemblies of carbon and non-carbon compounds and methods of making such organized structures. In preferred embodiments, the organized structures of the instant invention take the form of nanorods or their aggregate forms. More preferably, a nanorod is made up of a carbon nanotube filled, coated, or both filled and coated by a non-carbon material. This invention is further drawn to the separation of single-wall carbon nanotubes. In particular, it relates to the separation of semiconducting single-wall carbon nanotubes from conducting (or metallic) single-wall carbon nanotubes. It also relates to the separation of single-wall carbon nanotubes according to their chirality and/or diameter.

Abstract: A fixative for biological tissue made up of polymerized carbon nanotubes encapsulating osmium nanoparticles and its method of synthesis are disclosed. Carbon nanotubes are first oxidized. Next, the oxidized carbon nanotubes and monohydrated citric acid are mixed to synthesize carbon nanotubes grafted with poly(citric acid). The carbon nanotubes grafted with poly(citric acid) are then mixed with an osmium source to synthesize carbon nanotubes grafted with poly(citric acid) encapsulating osmium nanoparticles. The nano-fixative of this application has been shown to improve fixation of biological tissue relative to well-known fixatives.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to organized assemblies of carbon and non-carbon compounds and methods of making such organized structures. In preferred embodiments, the organized structures of the instant invention take the form of nanorods or their aggregate forms. More preferably, a nanorod is made up of a carbon nanotube filled, coated, or both filled and coated by a non-carbon material. This invention is further drawn to the separation of single-wall carbon nanotubes. In particular, it relates to the separation of semiconducting single-wall carbon nanotubes from conducting (or metallic) single-wall carbon nanotubes. It also relates to the separation of single-wall carbon nanotubes according to their chirality and/or diameter.

Abstract: A fuel cell of the present invention comprises a cathode and an anode, one or both of the anode and the cathode including a catalyst comprising a bundle of longitudinally aligned graphitic carbon nanotubes including a catalytically active transition metal incorporated longitudinally and atomically distributed throughout the graphitic carbon walls of said nanotubes. The nanotubes also include nitrogen atoms and/or ions chemically bonded to the graphitic carbon and to the transition metal. Preferably, the transition metal comprises at least one metal selected from the group consisting of Fe, Co, Ni, Mn, and Cr.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for administering a therapeutic agent to a mammal are disclosed. The compositions comprise either (i) vesicles comprising an amphiphilic substituted fullerene, wherein the therapeutic agent is present in the vesicle interior or between layers of the vesicle wall, (ii) a substituted fullerene, comprising a fullerene core and a functional moiety, wherein the therapeutic agent is associated with the substituted fullerene, or (iii) carbon nanotubes, wherein the therapeutic agent is covalently bonded to the carbon nanotubes.

Abstract: A method is disclosed whereby a functional nanomaterial such as a monolayer carbon nanotube, a monolayer boron nitride nanotube, a monolayer silicon carbide nanotube, a multilayer carbon nanotube with the number of layers controlled, a multilayer boron nitride nanotube with the number of layers controlled, a multilayer silicon carbide nanotube with the number of layers controlled, a metal containing fullerene, and a metal containing fullerene with the number of layers controlled is produced at a high yield. According to the method, when a multilayer carbon nanotube (3) is formed by a chemical vapor deposition or a liquid phase growth process, an endothermic reaction aid (H2S) is introduced in addition to a primary reactant (CH4, H2) in the process to form a monolayer carbon nanotube (4).

Abstract: A composite comprising a support activated by impregnation and carbon nanotubes or nanofibers formed by vapor deposition, wherein the weight of said carbon nanotubes or nanofibers formed on the said support is at least equal to 10.

Abstract: The present invention relates to catalysts comprising at least one support and at least one layer applied to said support, said layer containing a) 20 to 95% by weight of at least one aluminum, silicon, titanium or magnesium oxide compound or a silicon carbide or a carbon support or mixtures thereof, and b) 5 to 50% by weight of at least one nanocarbon. The catalysts can be used to produce unsaturated hydrocarbons by means of the oxidative dehydrogenation of alkylaromatics, alkenes and alkanes in the gas phase.

Abstract: A molecular structure. In one embodiment, the molecular structure includes a nanotube formed with a plurality of carbon atoms having a first end, an opposite, second end, and a body portion defined therebetween, wherein the body portion has an interior surface defining a cavity, an opposite, exterior surface and a longitudinal axis therethrough the cavity, and a porphyrin molecule having a plurality of carbon atoms and a first plurality of hydrogen atoms, wherein at its original state the porphyrin molecule has a plurality of pyrrole units and each pyrrole unit is coupled to another pyrrole unit through a methine bridge so as to form a ring structure with a second plurality of hydrogen atoms positioned peripherally along the ring structure. The porphyrin molecule is chemically coupled to the interior surface of the nanotube such that at least one of the second plurality of hydrogen atoms positioned peripherally along the ring structure is replaced by a carbon atom of the nanotube.

Abstract: A catalyst for an electro-chemical oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) of a bundle of longitudinally aligned carbon nanotubes having a catalytically active transition metal incorporated longitudinally in said nanotubes. A method of making an electro-chemical catalyst for an oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) having a bundle of longitudinally aligned carbon nanotubes with a catalytically active transition metal incorporated throughout the nanotubes, where a substrate is in a first reaction zone, and a combination selected from one or more of a hydrocarbon and an organometallic compound containing an catalytically active transition metal and a nitrogen containing compound and an inert gas and a reducing gas is introduced into the first reaction zone which is maintained at a first reaction temperature for a time sufficient to vaporize material therein.

Abstract: According to one aspect of the invention, a method of constructing an electronic assembly is provided. A layer of metal is formed on a backside of a semiconductor wafer having integrated formed thereon. Then, a porous layer is formed on the metal layer. A barrier layer of the porous layer at the bottom of the pores is thinned down. Then, a catalyst is deposited at the bottom of the pores. Carbon nanotubes are then grown in the pores. Another layer of metal is then formed over the porous layer and the carbon nanotubes. The semiconductor wafer is then separated into microelectronic dies. The dies are bonded to a semiconductor substrate, a heat spreader is placed on top of the die, and a semiconductor package resulting from such assembly is sealed. A thermal interface is formed on the top of the heat spreader. Then a heat sink is placed on top of the thermal interface.

Abstract: Provided are a conductive polymer-carbon nanotube composite including a carbon nanotube and a conductive polymer filled therein, and a method of manufacturing the same. The conductive polymer-carbon nanotube composite where a conductive polymer is filled in a carbon nanotube is manufactured by introducing a monomer of the conductive polymer into the carbon nanotube using a supercritical fluid technique and polymerizing the monomer. The conductive polymer-carbon nanotube composite is a novel nano-structure material which can overcome limitations that conventional materials may have, and thus can be applied to various applications such as sensors, electrode materials, nanoelectronic materials, etc.

Abstract: The present invention provides a carbon nanohorn complex that is excellent in characteristics of adsorption or inclusion of drugs and release, in particular, a sustained release of drugs as a novel drug carrier in drug delivery systems, as well as a process for producing the complex. The complex of drug and carbon nanohorns comprises a steroidal or metal-containing drug being adsorbed onto the oxidized carbon nanohorns, or included in pores opened thereof.

Abstract: An exemplary contrast medium for administration to a patient for magnetic resonance imaging is shown. The contrast medium includes: a plurality of carbon nanospheres; and an iron containing nano-particle embedded in each of the carbon nanospheres.

Abstract: This invention is directed to an article comprising a transparent substrate and an electrically conductive transparent coating deposited on the transparent substrate. This invention is also directed to methods for preparing the electrically conductive transparent coating and depositing the coating on the transparent substrate. This invention is further directed to devices containing such articles. The electrically conductive transparent coating comprises carbon nanotubes filled, coated, or both filled and coated by a non-carbon material.

Abstract: Nanotubes loaded with materials, such as active species, and methods to load materials into nanotubes are disclosed. The method includes flowing a medium containing the material to be loaded through the interior volume of the nanotube, wherein it is retained, optionally by a crosslinking or polymerization reaction. Flowing the medium occurs under different conditions and processes, including centrifuging and size exclusion methods.

Abstract: The invention of present application relates to a method for enabling a hybrid carbon nanotube having an arbitrary composition ratio to be readily manufactured, and the hybrid carbon nanotube. A method for manufacturing a hybrid carbon nanotube, which comprises immersing a carbon nanotube having open pores in a solution having a dopant substance dissolved therein to effect a doping reaction, thereby preparing a hybrid carbon nanotube comprising a carbon nanotube and a dopant substance introduced therein.

Abstract: A carbon nanotube composite material contains a carbon nanotube and a continuous layer of a metal covering the inner surface of the carbon nanotube. It is produced by forming a metallic matrix layer and treating the metallic matrix layer to form plural nanoholes in the metallic matrix layer to thereby form a nanohole structure, the nanoholes extending in a direction substantially perpendicular to the plane of the metallic matrix layer; forming carbon nanotubes inside the nanoholes; and covering inner surfaces of the carbon nanotubes with a continuous layer of a metal. It has a well controlled small size, has excellent and uniform physical properties, is resistant to oxidation of the metal with time, is highly chemically stable, has good durability enabling repetitive use, has good coatability, high wettability and dispersibility with other materials, is easily chemically modified, is easily handled and is useful in various fields.

Abstract: By preliminarily measuring the gallium temperature and the length change of a temperature sensing element comprising a carbon nanotube having a continuous column of gallium contained therein, then heating the temperature sensing element installed in a subject to increase the temperature thereof in air, removing the temperature sensing element subjecting to measure the gallium length, and substituting the measured gallium length in a formula, the temperature is measured accurately over a wide temperature range in a micrometer size or less environment.

Abstract: A method of making multiple carbonaceous nanomaterials is provided. Embodiments of the method can produce a reaction product that includes trimetaspheres, nanotubes, and at least one of fullerenes and metallofullerenes. A preferred embodiment of the method includes reacting at least one carbon source, nitrogen source, copper source, yttrium source, transition metal, and trimetasphere-forming metal in a reaction chamber. The reaction product can be produced by arc discharge in the presence of nitrogen gas.

Abstract: This invention is directed to the fluorination (or derivatization with alternative chemical species) of fullerene carbon nanocages as an efficient way to (a) facilitate synthesis of endohedral complexes by a significant reduction or elimination of the barriers for the entry of guest-ions, -atoms or molecules, and (b) to preserve the chemical stability of final product.

Abstract: Heteroporphyrin nanotubes, metal nanostructures, and metal/porphyrin-nanotube composite nanostructures formed using the nanotubes as photocatalysts and structural templates, and the methods for forming the nanotubes and composites.