Having A Modified Surface Patents (Class 977/745)
  • Patent number: 9006667
    Abstract: A material may include a medium and carbon nanotubes dispersed in the medium. Fluorescent moieties may be attached to functional groups on a first quantity of the carbon nanotubes. The fluorescent moieties may be in a concentration in the material sufficient to make the material fluoresce in the presence of radiation. The fluorescent moieties may have an emission wavelength that is in or below the visible spectrum. The carbon nanotubes may be dispersed in the medium in a concentration sufficient to make the material electrically conductive at or above the material's electrical percolation threshold. Any suitable product may include the material. Methods for verifying the authenticity of the product may include detecting emissive radiation, testing electrical conductivity, and determining the presence of a structural characteristic of the carbon nanotubes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Dylan J. Boday, Jason T. Wertz
  • Patent number: 8993448
    Abstract: A method of forming a plurality of nanotubes is disclosed. Particularly, a substrate may be provided and a plurality of recesses may be formed therein. Further, a plurality of nanotubes may be formed generally within each of the plurality of recesses and the plurality of nanotubes may be substantially surrounded with a supporting material. Additionally, at least some of the plurality of nanotubes may be selectively shortened and at least a portion of the at least some of the plurality of nanotubes may be functionalized. Methods for forming semiconductor structures intermediate structures, and semiconductor devices are disclosed. An intermediate structure, intermediate semiconductor structure, and a system including nanotube structures are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Gurtej S. Sandhu, Terry L. Gilton
  • Patent number: 8992799
    Abstract: A polymer composite composed of a polymerized mixture of functionalized carbon nanotubes and monomer which chemically reacts with the functionalized nanotubes. The carbon nanotubes are functionalized by reacting with oxidizing or other chemical media through chemical reactions or physical adsorption. The reacted surface carbons of the nanotubes are further functionalized with chemical moieties that react with the surface carbons and selected monomers. The functionalized nanotubes are first dispersed in an appropriate medium such as water, alcohol or a liquefied monomer and then the mixture is polymerized. The polymerization results in polymer chains of increasing weight bound to the surface carbons of the nanotubes. The composite may consists of some polymer chains imbedded in the composite without attachment to the nanotubes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Hyperion Catalysis International, Inc.
    Inventors: Chunming Niu, Lein Ngaw
  • Patent number: 8980216
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to carbon nanostructures, e.g., carbon nanotubes, methods of covalently functionalizing carbon nanostructures, and methods of separating and isolating covalently functionalized carbon. In some embodiments, carbon nanotubes are reacted with alkylating agents to provide water soluble covalently functionalized carbon nanotubes. In other embodiments, carbon nanotubes are reacted with a thermally-responsive agent and exposed to light in order to separate carbon nanotubes of a specific chirality from a mixture of carbon nanotubes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: University of Maryland, College Park
    Inventors: YuHuang Wang, Alexandra H. Brozena, Shunliu Deng, Yin Zhang
  • Patent number: 8958153
    Abstract: An optical polarizer includes a supporting element and an optical polarizing film supported by the supporting element. The optical polarizing film includes a carbon nanotube film structure and a metallic layer disposed on the carbon nanotube film structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignees: Tsinghua University, Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chen Feng, Kai-Li Jiang, Shou-Shan Fan
  • Patent number: 8951444
    Abstract: In a method for functionalizing a carbon nanotube surface, the nanotube surface is exposed to at least one vapor including at least one functionalization species that non-covalently bonds to the nanotube surface, providing chemically functional groups at the nanotube surface, producing a functionalized nanotube surface. A functionalized nanotube surface can be exposed to at least one vapor stabilization species that reacts with the functionalization layer to form a stabilization layer that stabilizes the functionalization layer against desorption from the nanotube surface while providing chemically functional groups at the nanotube surface, producing a stabilized nanotube surface. The stabilized nanotube surface can be exposed to at least one material layer precursor species that deposits a material layer on the stabilized nanotube surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: President and Fellows of Harvard College
    Inventors: Roy G. Gordon, Damon B. Farmer
  • Patent number: 8940937
    Abstract: Disclosed is a novel method for the selective molecular conversion of raw material carbon nanotubes containing a mixture of metallic carbon nanotubes and semiconductive carbon nanotubes in a manner that is based on the electrical properties or diameter of the carbon nanotubes. The present invention causes a photoreaction of raw material carbon nanotubes containing a mixture of metallic carbon nanotubes and semiconductive carbon nanotubes with a disulfide or a sulfide of the following formula (I) or (II) (wherein R1 and R2 each independently represent a hydrocarbon group that may have a substituent) in an organic solvent that contains the raw material carbon nanotubes and the disulfide of the formula (I) or the sulfide of the formula (II), so as to selectively functionalize the metallic carbon nanotubes, or functionalize the carbon nanotubes diameter selectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: Japan Science and Technology Agency
    Inventors: Yutaka Maeda, Takeshi Akasaka
  • Patent number: 8926933
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods of making nanofiber yarns. In some embodiments, the nanotube yarns comprise carbon nanotubes. Particularly, such carbon nanotube yarns of the present invention provide unique properties and property combinations such as extreme toughness, resistance to failure at knots, high electrical and thermal conductivities, high absorption of energy that occurs reversibly, up to 13% strain-to-failure compared with the few percent strain-to-failure of other fibers with similar toughness, very high resistance to creep, retention of strength even when heated in air at 450° C. for one hour, and very high radiation and UV resistance, even when irradiated in air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: The Board of Regents of The University of Texas System
    Inventors: Mei Zhang, Ray H. Baughman, Kenneth Ross Atkinson
  • Patent number: 8923029
    Abstract: The field programmable read-only memory device includes a memory cell having a switching element for storing bit information. The switching element provides a switchable electrical connection between a word line and a bit line and includes a static body and a movable connecting element. The switchable electrical connection is non-volatile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Thomson Licensing
    Inventors: Meinolf Blawat, Holger Kropp
  • Patent number: 8911859
    Abstract: A nanoporous network includes carbon nanotubes (CNTs) with the network having a pore size in a range from about 15 nm to about 35 nm. The nanoporous network can be coated, compressed, or any combination of these operations in the manufacture of various articles. A method of making a nanoporous network includes disposing a concentrated aqueous CNT solution in a mold, freezing the concentrated aqueous CNT solution, and subliming the frozen concentrated CNT solution in a vacuum chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventor: James M. Spatcher
  • Patent number: 8906495
    Abstract: This invention relates to a composite comprising carbon nanotubes coated with a polymer, wherein the polymer comprises at least one hydrophobic monomer unit. This invention also relates to a process for the production of a composite comprising a polymer and carbon nanotubes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: The University of Nottingham
    Inventor: George Zheng Chen
  • Patent number: 8846144
    Abstract: A method for making a carbon nanotube film includes the steps of: (a) adding a plurality of carbon nanotubes into a solvent containing metallic ions, and flocculating the carbon nanotubes to get a floccule structure with the metallic ions therein; (b) reducing the metallic ions into metallic atoms, thereby the metallic atoms being attached onto outer surfaces of the carbon nanotubes to form a floccule structure of carbon nanotubes compounded with metal atoms; and (c) separating the floccule structure compounded with metal atoms from the solvent; and (d) shaping the floccule structure compounded with metal atoms to obtain/get the carbon nanotube film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignees: Tsinghua University, Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ding Wang, Peng-Cheng Song, Chang-Hong Liu, Shou-Shan Fan
  • Patent number: 8809979
    Abstract: The present invention involves the interaction of radiation with functionalized carbon nanotubes that have been incorporated into various host materials, particularly polymeric ones. The present invention is directed to chemistries, methods, and apparatuses which exploit this type of radiation interaction, and to the materials which result from such interactions. The present invention is also directed toward the time dependent behavior of functionalized carbon nanotubes in such composite systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignees: William Marsh Rice University, The Texas A&M University System
    Inventors: Enrique V. Barrera, Richard Wilkins, Meisha Shofner, Merlyn X. Pulikkathara, Ranjii Vaidyanathan
  • Patent number: 8796024
    Abstract: A method for culturing neural cells using a culture medium is provided. Each neural cell includes a neural cell body and at least one neurite branched from the neural cell body. The culture medium includes a substrate and a carbon nanotube structure located on the substrate. A surface of the carbon nanotube structure is polarized to form a polar surface. The neural cells are cultured on the polar surface to grow neurites along the carbon nanotube wires. The carbon nanotube structure includes a number of carbon nanotube wires spaced apart from each other. A distance between adjacent carbon nanotube wires is greater than or equal to a diameter of the neural cell body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignees: Tsinghua University, Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Li Fan, Chen Feng, Wen-Mei Zhao
  • Patent number: 8771405
    Abstract: A gas filter comprises a housing (30) having a gas inlet (55), a gas outlet (65) and at least one chamber (70) therebetween containing carbon nanotubes (110). The chamber (70) has a port (90) and is configured for simultaneous gas ingress to and gas egress from the carbon nanotubes (110) through the port (90).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Inventor: Dimitris Drikakis
  • Publication number: 20140145094
    Abstract: A fluorescent material may include a medium, carbon nanotubes dispersed in the medium, and a fluorescent surfactant. The fluorescent surfactant may be adsorbed to a surface of some of the carbon nanotubes in a concentration sufficient to make the material fluoresce in the presence of radiation. The material may be applied to a material and tested for fluorescence, electrical conductivity, or carbon nanotube structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2012
    Publication date: May 29, 2014
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Dylan J. Boday, Joseph Kuczynski, Jason T. Wertz, Jing Zhang
  • Patent number: 8734685
    Abstract: The present invention relates to design and development of carbon nanotubes (CNT) reinforced electrically conducting synthetic foams comprising resin matrix system, carbon nanotubes, hollow glass microspheres and optionally hardener or catalyst for electrical conductivity and related applications especially electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Director General, Defence Reserch & Development Organization
    Inventors: Sundaram Sankaran, Samudra Dasgupta, Ravi Sekhar Kandala, Ravishankar Bare Narayana
  • Patent number: 8709964
    Abstract: The invention relates to a process for producing a surface-modified carbon-comprising support, which comprises the following steps: (a) mixing of the carbon-comprising support with at least one metal compound, a carbon- and/or nitrogen-comprising organic substance and optionally a dispersion medium, (b) optionally evaporation of the dispersion medium at a temperature in the range from 40 to 200° C., (c) heating of the mixture to a temperature in the range from 500° C. to 1200° C. to form metal carbides, metal nitrides, metal oxycarbides, metal oxynitrides, metal carboxynitrides and/or metal carbonitrides on the carbon-comprising support. The invention further relates to a use of the surface-modified carbon-comprising support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: BASF SE
    Inventors: Bastian Ewald, Claudia Querner
  • Patent number: 8703092
    Abstract: The subject invention provides a two-phase liquid-liquid extraction process that enables sorting and separation of single-walled carbon nanotubes based on (n, m) type and/or diameter. The two-phase liquid extraction method of the invention is based upon the selective reaction of certain types of nanotubes with electron withdrawing functional groups as well as the interaction between a phase transfer agent and ionic moieties on the functionalized nanotubes when combined in a two-phase liquid solution. Preferably, the subject invention enables efficient, bulk separation of metallic/semi-metallic nanotubes from semi-conducting nanotubes. More preferably, the subject invention enables efficient, bulk separation of specific (n, m) types of nanotubes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: University of Florida Research Foundation, Inc.
    Inventor: Kirk Jeremy Ziegler
  • Patent number: 8648004
    Abstract: A method for preparing a metal-nanotube composite catalyst for an electro-chemical oxygen reduction reaction includes: debundling carbon nanotubes (CNTs); loading a carbon-containing polymeric material onto the surfaces of the nanotubes that have been debundled; carbonizing in situ the carbon-containing polymeric material on the carbon nanotubes to form carbon char layers surrounding the surfaces of the carbon nanotubes; and loading metal catalyst particles on the carbon nanotubes. The carbon char layers contain high amount of nitrogen and may be formed into a porous structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: National Cheng Kung University
    Inventors: Ping-Lin Kuo, Chun-Han Hsu, Wan-Ting Li, Hsiu-Mei Wu
  • Patent number: 8614189
    Abstract: The present invention provides biocompatible composite materials that can be fabricated into a scaffold having properties suitable for bone repair and regeneration. These scaffolds have sufficient mechanical strength to be useful for the repair and regeneration of cortical bone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2013
    Assignee: University of Connecticut
    Inventors: Cato T. Laurencin, Syam Prasad Nukavarapu, Sangamesh G. Kumbar
  • Patent number: 8608969
    Abstract: A nanotube separation method includes depositing a tag on a nanotube in a nanotube mixture. The nanotube has a defect and the tag deposits at the defect where a deposition rate is greater than on another nanotube in the mixture lacking the defect. The method includes removing the tagged nanotube from the mixture by using the tag. As one option, the tag may contain a ferromagnetic material and the removing may include applying a magnetic field. As another option, the tag may contain an ionic material and the removing may include applying an electric field. As a further option, the tag may contain an atom having an atomic mass greater than the atomic mass of carbon and the removing may include applying a centrifugal force to the nanotube mixture. Any two or more of the indicated removal techniques may be combined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Gurtej S. Sandhu
  • Patent number: 8604459
    Abstract: Electrical devices containing carbon nanotubes can be passivated to protect the carbon nanotubes from degradation while substantially preserving the carbon nanotubes' electrical conductivity and switching characteristics. Such electrical devices can include a first metal contact, a switching layer containing a plurality of carbon nanotubes disposed on the first metal contact, a passivation layer containing amorphous carbon, a metal carbide, or any combination thereof that is disposed on at least a top surface of the switching layer, and a second metal contact disposed upon the passivation layer. Methods for forming the electrical devices can include disposing a passivation layer containing amorphous carbon on at least a top surface of the switching layer, and optionally heating to at least partially convert the amorphous carbon within the passivation layer into a metal carbide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventors: Jonathan W. Ward, Garo J. Derderian
  • Patent number: 8597492
    Abstract: A method and system for detecting a DNA strand using carbon nanotubes or nanowires. A specific single strand of template DNA serves as a probe for its complementary strand in a solution containing DNA segments to be tested. The single-stranded sequence-specific DNA probe segment, whose ends are modified with amine, is attached between two carbon nanotubes/nanowires. When complementary strands representing DNA segments under test are brought near the probe strands, a dielectrophoresis (DEP) field may enhance the probability of selective hybridization between the complimentary target DNA and probe DNA. A change in electrical conductance in the probe strand occurs upon hybridization of the complementary target DNA with the single probe strand. This conductance change may be measured using the two carbon nanotubes or nano-dimensional electrodes. By exploiting nano-dimensional electrodes and single strand probe DNA, the proposed system is capable of accurately detecting a single molecule of DNA.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: The Florida International University Board of Trustees
    Inventors: Wonbong Choi, Somenath Roy, Kalai Mathee, Vishwanath Prasad
  • Patent number: 8591771
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are a dispersed solution of carbon nanotubes including carbon nanotubes, an organic solvent, a spacer, and a dispersant, and a method of preparing the same. The dispersed solution of the carbon nanotubes includes both the spacer, which reduces the van der Waals force of the carbon nanotubes and prevents bundling of the carbon nanotubes, and the dispersant, which maintains the debundling and stability of the carbon nanotubes, thereby improving the dispersibility of the carbon nanotubes. The method of preparing the dispersed solution of the carbon nanotubes can easily produce a dispersed solution of carbon nanotubes without performing a separate chemical treatment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Seon-mi Yoon, Jae-young Choi, Un-gyu Paik, Jin-hyon Lee
  • Patent number: 8580515
    Abstract: A method for surface modification of single walled carbon nanotubes is described. In one embodiment, the method includes the steps of providing a detergent solution, adding a plurality of single walled carbon nanotubes into the detergent solution, performing a first sonication to disperse the single walled carbon nanotubes in the detergent solution, and performing a second sonication after the first sonication to make detergent encased single walled carbon nanotubes. At least one of the plurality of single walled carbon nanotubes is at least partially wrapped by one or more detergent molecules to make it a detergent encased single walled carbon nanotube. In one embodiment, the detergent comprises SDS, PSS or a combination of them. The surface modified carbon nanotubes can be used to detect a chemical compound by associating a solution of the surface modified nanotubes with the chemical compound and optically detecting a chemical property change of the solution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Board of Trustees of the University of Arkansas
    Inventors: Wei Zhao, Chulho Song
  • Patent number: 8563657
    Abstract: The present invention relates to (i) novel fluoroionic compounds capable of dispersing particulate filler compositions into a fluoropolymer; (ii) novel particulate compositions in which particulates are surface-functionalized with a fluoroionic compound; (iii) fluoropolymer composite materials containing the surface-functionalized particulates of (ii) incorporated into a fluoropolymer; (iv) crosslinked versions of (iii); v) methods for producing the crosslinked material of (iv); and (vi) articles of manufacture containing the compositions (iii) and (iv).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: The Research Foundation of State University of New York
    Inventors: Benjamin S. Hsiao, Benjamin Chu, Jie Wei, Hongyang Ma, Feng Zuo
  • Patent number: 8558311
    Abstract: A dielectric material is disclosed comprising a plurality of substantially longitudinally oriented wires which are coupled together, wherein each of the wires includes a conductive core comprising a first material and one or more insulating shell layers comprising a compositionally different second material disposed about the core. In one embodiment, a dielectric layer is disclosed comprising a substrate comprising an insulating material having a plurality of nanoscale pores defined therein having a pore diameter less than about 100 nm, and a conductive material disposed within the nanoscale pores.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Nanosys, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert S. Dubrow, Jeffrey Miller, David P. Stumbo
  • Patent number: 8551243
    Abstract: Concrete reinforced with nanostructures and reinforcing concrete methods are provided having cement and dispersion including water, a surfactant, carbon nanotubes having on the external surfaces thereof carbon atoms substituted by atoms of another element or other elements, and carbon nanotubes possessing chemical groups on the surface thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Urbanizaciones Imoboliarias del Centro S.A. de C.V.
    Inventors: Jose Antonio Soto Montoya, Mauricio Martinez Alanis, Mauricio Terrones Maldonado, Humberto Terrones Maldonado, Daniel Ramirez Gonzalez
  • Publication number: 20130224603
    Abstract: A lithium-ion cell comprising: (A) a cathode comprising graphene as the cathode active material having a surface area to capture and store lithium thereon and wherein said graphene cathode is meso-porous having a specific surface area greater than 100 m2/g; (B) an anode comprising an anode active material for inserting and extracting lithium, wherein the anode active material is mixed with a conductive additive and/or a resin binder to form a porous electrode structure, or coated onto a current collector in a coating or thin film form; (C) a porous separator disposed between the anode and the cathode; (D) a lithium-containing electrolyte in physical contact with the two electrodes; and (E) a lithium source disposed in at least one of the two electrodes when the cell is made. This new Li-ion cell exhibits an unprecedentedly high energy density.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2012
    Publication date: August 29, 2013
    Inventors: Guorong Chen, Aruna Zhamu, Xiging Wang, Bor Z. Jang, Yanbo Wang, Qing Fang
  • Patent number: 8518870
    Abstract: The present invention is a method for detecting and destroying cancer tumors. The method is based on the concept of associating a linking protein or linking peptide such as, but not limited to, annexin V or other annexins to carbon nanotubes such as single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) to form a protein-CNT complex. Said linking protein or peptide can selectively bind to cancerous cells, especially tumor vasculature endothelial cells, rather than to healthy ones by binding to cancer-specific external receptors such as anionic phospholipids including phosphatidylserine expressed on the outer surfaces of cancer cells only. Irradiation of bound CNTs with one or more specific electromagnetic wavelengths is then used to detect and destroy those cells to which the CNTs are bound via the linking protein or peptide thereby destroying the tumor or cancer cells and preferably an immunostimulant is provided to the patient to enhance the immune response against antigens released from the tumor or cancer cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: The Board of Regents of the University of Oklahoma
    Inventors: Roger G. Harrison, Jr., Daniel E. Resasco, Luis Filipe Ferreira Neves
  • Patent number: 8518608
    Abstract: A process for preparing a durable non-precious metal oxygen reduction electrocatalyst involves heat treatment of a ball-milled mixture of polyaniline and multiwalled carbon nanotubes in the presence of a Fe species. The catalyst is more durable than catalysts that use carbon black supports. Performance degradation was minimal or absent after 500 hours of operation at constant cell voltage of 0.40 V.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: Los Alamos National Security, LLC
    Inventors: Gang Wu, Piotr Zelenay
  • Patent number: 8480994
    Abstract: Provided is a method of modifying carbon nanotubes, the method including: preparing a mixed solution in which a radical initiator and a carbon nanotube are dispersed; applying energy to the mixed solution to decompose the radical initiator into a radical; and reacting the decomposed radical with a surface of the carbon nanotube, wherein the radical which has reacted with the carbon nanotube is detached from the carbon nanotube after the reaction with the carbon nanotube. In the method of modifying carbon nanotube, a radical is reacted with a carbon nanotube and then separated from the carbon nanotube to thus modify the surface of the carbon nanotube without chemical bonding. Accordingly, the conductivity of the carbon nanotube can be increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hyeon-jin Shin, Jae-young Choi, Seong-jae Choi, Seon-mi Yoon
  • Patent number: 8475961
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to energy storage or collection devices and methods for making such devices having electrode materials containing exfoliated nanotubes with attached electro- or photoactive nanoscale particles or layers. The exfoliated nanotubes and attached nanoscale particles or layers may be easily fabricated by methods such as coating, solution or casting or melt extrusion to form electrodes. Electrolytes may also be used for dispersing nanotubes and also in a polymeric form to allow melt fabrication methods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Molecular Rebar Design, LLC
    Inventors: Clive P. Bosnyak, Kurt W. Swogger
  • Patent number: 8455583
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to carbon nanotube (CNT)/polymer composites, i.e., nanocomposites, wherein the CNTs in such nanocomposites are highly dispersed in a polymer matrix, and wherein the nanocomposites comprise a compatibilizing surfactant that interacts with both the CNTs and the polymer matrix. The present invention is also directed to methods of making these nanocomposites. In some such methods, the compatibilizing surfactant provides initial CNT dispersion and subsequent mixing with a polymer. The present invention is also directed to methods of using these nanocomposites in a variety of applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: University of Houston
    Inventors: Ramanan Krishnamoorti, Cynthia A. Mitchell, Jeffrey L. Bahr
  • Publication number: 20130089735
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing an inorganic-nano structure composite, a method for manufacturing a cabon nanotube composite by using the same, and a carbon nanotube composite manufactured by the same are provided. The method for manufacturing the inorganic-nano structure composite comprises a step of doping pentavalent elements on the nanostructure; and a step of growing the inorganic material from the doping points of the pentavalent elements by dipping the nanostructure on which the pentavalent elements are doped into a precursor solution of the inorganic material, and according to the present invention the pentavalent elements such as nitrogen are doped on the nanostructure and is utilized as the crystallization point of the inorganic material, instead of forming the separate coating layer to the organic-based nanostructure, or binding the binding group to the surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2011
    Publication date: April 11, 2013
    Applicant: KAIST (Korea Advanced Insitute of Science and Tech
    Inventors: Sang-Ouk Kim, Won-jun Lee, Duck-hyun Lee, Jin-ah Lee
  • Patent number: 8404775
    Abstract: A polymerizable ligand comprising, in one embodiment, a polyaromatic compound, with a terminal functional group, non-covalently bonded to the sidewalls of carbon nanotubes. This structure preserves the structural, mechanical, electrical, and electromechanical properties of the CNTs and ensures that an unhindered functional group is available to bond with an extended polymer matrix thereby resulting in an improved polymer-nanotube composite.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: The Johns Hopkins University
    Inventors: Jennifer L. Sample, Amy A. Hofstra
  • Publication number: 20130065050
    Abstract: A method of dispersing a metal or metal oxide within a CNT or CNT array, comprising exposing the CNT or CNT array to a solution containing a metal compound in a non-aqueous liquid; and removing the non-aqueous liquid from the CNT or CNT array. Nanoparticles were homogenously deposited within millimeter-long carbon nanotube array (CNTA). After modified with nanoparticles, CNTA changes from hydrophobic to hydrophilic. The hydrophilic composite electrodes present ideal capacitive behavior with high reversibility. The novel, nano-architectured composite demonstrates strong promise for high-performance thick and compact electrochemical supercapacitors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2011
    Publication date: March 14, 2013
    Applicant: The Governors of the University of Alberta
    Inventors: Weixing Chen, Xinwei Cui
  • Publication number: 20130052489
    Abstract: A surface-mediated, lithium ion-exchanging energy storage device comprising: (a) A positive electrode (cathode) comprising a cathode active material that is not a functional material (bearing no functional group reactive with lithium), but having a surface area to capture or store lithium thereon; (b) A negative electrode (anode) comprising an anode active material having a surface area to capture or store lithium thereon; (c) A porous separator disposed between the two electrodes; and (d) A lithium-containing electrolyte in physical contact with the two electrodes, wherein the anode active material and/or the cathode active material has a specific surface area of no less than 100 m2/g in direct physical contact with the electrolyte to receive lithium ions therefrom or to provide lithium ions thereto; wherein at least one of the two electrodes contains therein a lithium source prior to a first charge or a first discharge cycle of the energy storage device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2011
    Publication date: February 28, 2013
    Inventors: Aruna Zhamu, ChenGuang Liu, Xiqing Wang, Bor Z. Jang
  • Patent number: 8383317
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods of making a negative pattern of carbon nanotubes or a polymerized carbon nanotube composite having an interpenetrating polymer network (IPN) by modifying the surfaces of the carbon nanotubes with polymerizable functional groups such as oxirane and anhydride groups and subjecting the surface-modified carbon nanotubes either to a photolithography process or to a heatcuring process. By virtue of the present invention, desired patterns of carbon nanotubes can be easily made on the surfaces of various substrates, and polymerized carbon nanotube composites improved in hardening properties can be made without additional polymers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jong Jin Park, Jung Han Shin, Sang Yoon Lee
  • Publication number: 20130040229
    Abstract: Cohesive carbon assemblies are prepared by obtaining a functionalized carbon starting material in the form of powder, particles, flakes, loose agglomerates, aqueous wet cake, or aqueous slurry, dispersing the carbon in water by mechanical agitation and/or refluxing, and substantially removing the water, typically by evaporation, whereby the cohesive assembly of carbon is formed. The method is suitable for preparing free-standing, monolithic assemblies of carbon nanotubes in the form of films, wafers, discs, fiber, or wire, having high carbon packing density and low electrical resistivity. The method is also suitable for preparing substrates coated with an adherent cohesive carbon assembly. The assemblies have various potential applications, such as electrodes or current collectors in electrochemical capacitors, fuel cells, and batteries, or as transparent conductors, conductive inks, pastes, and coatings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2012
    Publication date: February 14, 2013
    Inventors: Leonid GRIGORIAN, Sean Imtiaz BRAHIM
  • Publication number: 20130037758
    Abstract: Provided is a method of preparing a complex of a transition metal oxide and carbon nanotube. The method includes (a) dispersing carbon nanotube powder in a solvent, (b) mixing the dispersion with a transition metal salt, and (c) synthesizing a complex of transition metal oxide and carbon nanotube by applying microwave to the mixed solution. The method may considerably reduce the time required to synthesize the complex. In the complex of transition metal oxide and carbon nanotube prepared by the method, the transition metal oxide may be stacked on the surface of the carbon nanotube in the size of a nanoparticle, and may enhance charge/discharge characteristics when being applied to a lithium secondary battery as an anode material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2011
    Publication date: February 14, 2013
    Applicant: INDUSTRY ACADEMIC COOPERATION FOUNDATION, YONSEI
    Inventors: Kwang Bum Kim, Hyun Kyung Kim, Ji Young Kim
  • Patent number: 8372487
    Abstract: After forming an opening, a resist film is formed on the entire surface and a resist pattern is formed by patterning the resist film. The shape of the resist pattern is such that it covers one side of the bottom of the opening. As a result, a Si substrate is exposed only in one part of the opening. Then, using the resist pattern as a mask, a catalytic layer is formed on the bottom of the opening. Then, the resist pattern is removed. Carbon nanotubes are grown on the catalytic layer. At this time, since the catalytic layer is formed on only one side of the bottom of the opening, the Van der Waals force biased towards that side works horizontally on the growing carbon nanotubes. Therefore, the carbon nanotubes are attracted towards the nearest side of the SiO2 film and grow biased towards that side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventors: Akio Kawabata, Mizuhisa Nihei, Daiyu Kondo, Shintaro Sato
  • Publication number: 20130034903
    Abstract: A method for culturing neural cells using a culture medium is provided. Each neural cell includes a neural cell body and at least one neurite branched from the neural cell body. The culture medium includes a substrate and a carbon nanotube structure located on the substrate. A surface of the carbon nanotube structure is polarized to form a polar surface. The neural cells are cultured on the polar surface to grow neurites along the carbon nanotube wires. The carbon nanotube structure includes a number of carbon nanotube wires spaced apart from each other. A distance between adjacent carbon nanotube wires is greater than or equal to a diameter of the neural cell body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2012
    Publication date: February 7, 2013
    Applicants: HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD., TSINGHUA UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: LI FAN, CHEN FENG, WEN-MEI ZHAO
  • Publication number: 20130032470
    Abstract: A system including nanostructure arrays for converting carbon dioxide to an organic compound, e.g., methanol, which does so, for example, without any external electric energy. In one embodiment, the system for converting carbon dioxide to an organic compound includes an array of nanotubes, which include nanoparticles of an electron mediator, e.g. palladium, dispersed on a surface of the nanotubes, and an electrically conductive fluid. The array of nanotubes is at least partially immersed in the electrically conductive fluid. The system further includes a light source that irradiates the array of nanotubes, a source of carbon dioxide, and an inlet for delivering the carbon dioxide to the electrically conductive fluid whereat at least a portion of the carbon dioxide is converted to a different organic compound, such as methanol, via contact with an irradiated array of nanotubes. In one example, the array is an ordered array of titania nanotubes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2012
    Publication date: February 7, 2013
    Applicants: Reno
    Inventors: Susanta Mohapatra, Manoranjan Misra
  • Patent number: 8365923
    Abstract: A method of separating at least one carbon nanotube having a desired diameter and/or chirality from a mixture of carbon nanotubes having different diameters and/or chiralities is provided. A calixarene of formula (I): wherein n?4; X is PO3H2, Ra—PO3H, SO3H, or Ra—SO3H; Y is Rb, OH, or ORb; and Ra and Rb are independently selected from the group consisting of optionally substituted alkyl, optionally substituted aryl, optionally substituted arylene alkyl and optionally substituted alkylene aryl is combined with the mixture of carbon nanotubes in an aqueous solvent to produce an aqueous supernatant containing the carbon nanotube(s) having the desired diameter and/or chirality. The aqueous supernatant containing the carbon nanotube(s) is then separated from a residue comprising the remaining carbon nanotubes of the mixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: The University of Western Australia
    Inventors: Colin Llewellyn Raston, Lee John Hubble
  • Publication number: 20130029234
    Abstract: A porous carbonaceous composite material including a core including a carbon nanotube (CNT); and a coating layer on the core, the coating layer including a carbonaceous material including a hetero element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2012
    Publication date: January 31, 2013
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Victor ROEV, Dong-min IM, Dong-joon LEE, Sang-bok MA
  • Patent number: 8361328
    Abstract: A nanotube separation method includes depositing a tag on a nanotube in a nanotube mixture. The nanotube has a defect and the tag deposits at the defect where a deposition rate is greater than on another nanotube in the mixture lacking the defect. The method includes removing the tagged nanotube from the mixture by using the tag. As one option, the tag may contain a ferromagnetic material and the removing may include applying a magnetic field. As another option, the tag may contain an ionic material and the removing may include applying an electric field. As a further option, the tag may contain an atom having an atomic mass greater than the atomic mass of carbon and the removing may include applying a centrifugal force to the nanotube mixture. Any two or more of the indicated removal techniques may be combined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Gurtej S. Sandhu
  • Publication number: 20130005026
    Abstract: Point-of-care tools for screening biological samples for markers associated with pathogenic microbial infections. In particular, devices and systems for screening cervical cells for the expression of proteins, which occur as a result of human papillomavirus infection and progression to invasive cervical cancer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2012
    Publication date: January 3, 2013
    Applicant: Cermed Corporation
    Inventors: Peter GOMBRICH, Paul Vichi
  • Patent number: 8343450
    Abstract: Methods and compositions to extract radionuclides such as various actinides and lanthanides from organic and/or aqueous solutions by utilizing extractant functionalized carbon nanotubes are disclosed. More particularly, phosphorous-containing (such as phosphine oxides, phosphoric acids or phosphates) organic extractants and other predesigned extractants (such as crown ethers, calncrown derivatives, malonamide and diglycolamide derivatives, polyethylene glycol derivatives, cobalt dicarbollide derivatives, and N-donating heterocyclic ligands) can be covalently and/or non-covalently employed on the surfaces and/or ends (tips) of carbon nanotubes for the purpose of removal radionuclides such as various actinides and lanthanides from organic and/or aqueous solutions. Extractant functionalized carbon nanotubes can be used for extracting radioactive nuclides from nuclear waste or spent nuclear fuel, which are produced and/or reprocessed from the nuclear power generation or other nuclear application.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: Chemnano Materials, Ltd.
    Inventor: Pingshan Wang