Modified With Atoms Or Molecules Bonded To The Surface Patents (Class 977/748)
  • Patent number: 8986576
    Abstract: A material consisting essentially of a vinyl thermoplastic polymer, un-functionalized carbon nanotubes and hydroxylated carbon nanotubes dissolved in a solvent. Un-functionalized carbon nanotube concentrations up to 30 wt % and hydroxylated carbon nanotube concentrations up to 40 wt % can be used with even small concentrations of each (less than 2 wt %) useful in producing enhanced conductivity properties of formed thin films.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Sandia Corporation
    Inventors: Gregory O'Bryan, Jack L. Skinner, Andrew Vance, Elaine Lai Yang, Thomas Zifer
  • 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: 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
  • Publication number: 20140376964
    Abstract: An electrophotographic imaging device includes a charging device, a cleaning device, and a fuser member that each include hydrophobic carbon nanotubes. The use of hydrophobic carbon nanotubes can increases the charging device's, the cleaning device's, and the fuser member's durability, conductivity, and contaminants deposition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2014
    Publication date: December 25, 2014
    Inventors: Liang-Bih Lin, David H Pan, Daniel Levy, Jin Wu
  • 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: 8907384
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods of preparing and using doped MWNT electrodes, sensors and field-effect transistors. Devices incorporating doped MWNT electrodes, sensors and field-effect transistors are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: NanoSelect, Inc.
    Inventors: Salvatore J. Pace, Piu Francis Man, Ajeeta Pradip Patil, Kah Fatt Tan
  • Patent number: 8865019
    Abstract: The method of inhibiting free radical polymerization of styrene includes adding multi-walled carbon nanotubes are added to the styrene monomer. The addition of the multi-walled carbon nanotubes at a concentration of 5% by weight is found to provide effective inhibition of the polymerization of the styrene. Greater decreases in the conversion rate of styrene to polystyrene are found through the addition of multi-walled carbon nanotubes functionalized with a carboxylic group (COOH). Still greater decreases in the conversion rate of styrene to polystyrene are found through the addition of multi-walled carbon nanotubes functionalized with octadecylamine (C18H39N). The multi-walled carbon nanotubes may also be functionalized with other functional groups, such as octadecanoate, polyethylene glycol or phenol. The functionalized multi-walled carbon nanotubes only require addition at a concentration of 1% by weight to be effective in polymerization inhibition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignees: King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals, King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology
    Inventors: Muataz Ali Atieh, Adnan Al-Amer, Issam Thaher Amr
  • Patent number: 8834737
    Abstract: A method for making a carbon nanotube composite film is provided. A PVDF is dissolved into a first solvent to form a PVDF solution. A number of magnetic particles is dispersed into the PVDF solution to form a suspension. A carbon nanotube film is immersed into the suspension and then transferred into a second solvent. The carbon nanotube film structure is transferred from the second solvent and dried to form the carbon nanotube composite film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignees: Tsinghua University, Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Wei Xiong, Jia-Ping Wang, Kai-Li Jiang, Shou-Shan Fan
  • Publication number: 20140255952
    Abstract: The invention relates to carbon nanotube-containing composites as biosensors to detect the presence of target clinical markers, methods of their preparation and uses in the medical field. The invention is particularly suitable for the detection in patient biological specimens of bone markers and tissue markers. The biosensors of the invention include carbon nanotubes deposited on a substrate, gold nanoparticles deposited on the carbon nanotubes and, binder material and biomolecule deposited on the gold-coated carbon nanotubes. The biomolecule is selected to interact with the target clinical markers. The biosensor can be used as an in-situ or an ex-situ device to detect and measure the presence of the target clinical markers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2014
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Applicant: UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH - OF THE COMMONWEALTH SYSTEM OF HIGHER EDUCATION
    Inventors: PRASHANT NAGESH KUMTA, MADHUMATI RAMANATHAN, MITALI SHIRISH PATIL
  • Patent number: 8804242
    Abstract: A polarizer includes a substrate, a carbon nanotube film, and a number of metal particles. The carbon nanotube film is located over the substrate and includes a number of carbon nanotube yarns, each of which comprises a number of substantially parallelly bundled carbon nanotubes. The metal particles are adhered to the carbon nanotubes of the carbon nanotube film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Sei-Ping Louh
  • Patent number: 8790610
    Abstract: A method of forming composite materials includes dispersing a conjugated material, a solvent for the conjugated material, and a plurality of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) or graphene including structures having an outer surface to form a dispersion. The solvent is evaporated from the dispersion to yield a CNT or graphene composite including a plurality of crystalline supramolecular structures having the conjugated material non-covalently secured to the outer surface of the CNT or the graphene including structure. The supramolecular structures have an average length which extends outward in a length direction from the outer surface of the CNT or graphene including structure, where the average length is greater than an average width of the supramolecular structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: University of Central Florida Research Foundation, Inc.
    Inventors: Lei Zhai, Jianhua Liu, Jianhua Zou, Anindarupa Chunder
  • Publication number: 20140191164
    Abstract: The carbon nanofiber has a content of oxygen controlled in a range of 8% by mass to 20% by mass and excellent dispersibility in polar solvents by means of an oxidization treatment carried out on a raw material of the carbon nanofiber. The above-described oxidization treatment is preferably carried out at 100° C. or higher using an mixed acid of nitric acid and sulfuric acid in which the nitric acid concentration is in a range of 10% by mass to 30% by mass. A carbon nanofiber dispersion liquid is obtained by dispersing the above-described carbon nanofiber in a polar solvent, and a carbon nanofiber composition contains the above-described dispersion liquid and a binder component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2012
    Publication date: July 10, 2014
    Applicant: MITSUBISHI MATERIALS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masahiro Hagiwara, Osamu Sakaya
  • 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
  • Patent number: 8758852
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method for patterning a nanomaterial using solution evaporation. More particularly, the method for patterning a nanomaterial using solution evaporation includes; coating the nanomaterial with a polymer material and uniformly dispersing the coated nanomaterial in a solvent to prepare a solution containing the nanomaterial, and pouring the nanomaterial-containing solution on a substrate, enabling the nanomaterial to be patterned after evaporation of the solvent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology
    Inventors: Jeung-Ku Kang, Kyung-Min Choi, Jung-Hoon Choi, Weon-Ho Shin, Jung-Woo Lee, Hyung-Mo Jeong
  • Publication number: 20140139920
    Abstract: A polarizer includes a substrate, a carbon nanotube film, and a number of metal particles. The carbon nanotube film is located over the substrate and includes a number of carbon nanotube yarns, each of which comprises a number of substantially parallelly bundled carbon nanotubes. The metal particles are adhered to the carbon nanotubes of the carbon nanotube film.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2014
    Publication date: May 22, 2014
    Applicant: HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: SEI-PING LOUH
  • 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: 8674134
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a sequential functionalization methodology for the covalent modification of nanotubes with between one and four repeat units of a polymer. Covalent attachment of oligomer units to the surface of nanotubes results in oligomer units forming an organic sheath around the nanotubes, polymer-functionalized-nanotubes (P-NTs). P-NTs possess chemical functionality identical to that of the functionalizing polymer, and thus provide nanoscale scaffolds which may be readily dispersed within a monomer solution and participate in the polymerization reaction to form a polymer-nanotube/polymer composite. Formation of polymer in the presence of P-NTs leads to a uniform dispersion of nanotubes within the polymer matrix, in contrast to aggregated masses of nanotubes in the case of pristine-NTs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Alexander K. Zettl, Toby Sainsbury, Jean M. J. Fréchet
  • Patent number: 8652391
    Abstract: Substrate containers formed from improved compositions comprise a polymer and carbon nanotubes to provide enhanced characteristics. In some embodiments, the carbon fibers, e.g., nanotubes, can be mechanically blended or incorporated into the polymer, while in some embodiments carbon nanotubes also may be covalently bonded to the polymer to form corresponding covalent materials. In particular, the polymer can be covalently bonded to the side walls of the carbon nanotubes to form a composite with particularly desirable mechanical properties. The processing of the nanotubes can be facilitated by the dispersion of the nanotubes in an aqueous solution comprising a hydrophylic polymer, such as ethyl vinyl acetate. A dispersion of nanotubes can be combined with a polymer in an extrusion process to blend the materials under high shear, such as in an extruder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Entegris, Inc.
    Inventor: Sanjiv M. Bhatt
  • 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: 8632633
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: Delmar L. Barker, Brian J. Zelinski, William R. Owens
  • Patent number: 8613898
    Abstract: A composition of matter includes at least one carbon nanotube (CNT) or a graphene type structure having an outer surface, and a plurality of crystalline polymer supramolecular structures that include a conjugated polymer that are non-covalently secured to the outer surface of the CNTs or the graphene type structure. The conjugated polymer can be a conjugated homopolymer or a block copolymer including at least one conjugated block. The supramolecular structures extend outward from the outer surface of the CNTs or graphene type structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2013
    Assignee: University of Central Florida Research Foundation, Inc.
    Inventors: Lei Zhai, Jianhua Liu, Jianhua Zou, Anindarupa Chunder
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20130317159
    Abstract: The present application relates reinforced poly(arylene sulfide) compositions and processes of producing the reinforced poly(arylene sulfide) compositions. The reinforced poly(arylene sulfide compositions can be prepared by blending the reinforcing agent with the poly(arylene sulfide) or by including the reinforcing agent in the process to produce the poly(arylene sulfide). Reinforcing agents which can be utilized are graphenes (e.g., single-walled carbon nanotubes). The inclusion of the graphene reinforcing agent in the poly(arylene sulfide) composition affects the crystallization properties and/or the conductivity of the melt processed poly(arylene sulfide) compositions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2012
    Publication date: November 28, 2013
    Applicant: Chevron Phillips Chemical Company LP
    Inventors: Jon F. Geibel, David F. Register, Ta Yen Ching, R. Shawn Childress, Jeffrey S. Fodor, Kent E. Mitchell, Howard S. Ferrell
  • Patent number: 8592565
    Abstract: The invention relates to carbon surfaces modified with one or more azide groups. The invention also relates to methods of modifying carbon surfaces with one or more azide groups.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: The Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford Junior University
    Inventors: Christopher E. D. Chidsey, Anando Devadoss, Neal K. Devaraj
  • Patent number: 8580436
    Abstract: Methods of oxidizing multiwalled carbon nanotubes are provided. The multiwalled carbon nanotubes are oxidized by contacting the carbon nanotubes with gas-phase oxidizing agents such as CO2, O2, steam, N2O, NO, NO2, O3, and ClO2. Near critical and supercritical water can also be used as oxidizing agents. The multiwalled carbon nanotubes oxidized according to methods of the invention can be used to prepare rigid porous structures which can be utilized to form electrodes for fabrication of improved electrochemical capacitors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Hyperion Catalysis International, Inc.
    Inventors: Chunming Niu, David Moy, Asif Chishti, Robert Hoch
  • Publication number: 20130277618
    Abstract: The present disclosure includes purification and deposition methods for single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) that allow for purification without damaging the SWNTs. The present disclosure includes methods for reducing electrical resistance in SWNT networks.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2013
    Publication date: October 24, 2013
    Inventors: Marcus D. Lay, Pornnipa Vichchulada, Nidhi P. Bhatt
  • 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: 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
  • Patent number: 8524420
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method for preparing nickel or palladium nanoparticles supported on a carbon support. To a mixture solution wherein a stabilizer is dissolved in 1,2-propanediol, a carbon support is added to prepare a dispersion. Then, a precursor solution wherein a nickel or palladium precursor dissolved in 1,2-propanediol is mixed therewith and stirred. Then, nickel or palladium nanoparticles supported on the carbon support are prepared by reduction. The disclosed method for preparing nickel or palladium nanoparticles supported on a carbon support allows preparation of nanoparticles with narrow particle size distribution and good dispersibility through a simple process and the resulting nickel or palladium nanoparticles may be usefully applied, for example, as electrode materials of fuel cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, SNU & R&DB Foundation
    Inventors: Nak Hyun Kwon, Jae Seung Lee, Bumwook Roh, Yung-Eun Sung, Tae-Yeol Jeon, Hee-Young Park, Ju Wan Lim, Young-Hoon Chung
  • Publication number: 20130224934
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a nanotube solution being treated with a molecular additive, a nanotube film having enhanced adhesion property due to the treatment of the molecular additive, and methods for forming the nanotube solution and the nanotube film. The nanotube solution includes a liquid medium, nanotubes in the liquid medium, and a molecular additive in the liquid medium, wherein the molecular additive includes molecules that provide source elements for forming a group IV oxide within the nanotube solution. The molecular additive can introduce silicon (Si) and/or germanium (Ge) in the liquid medium, such that nominal silicon and/or germanium concentrations of the nanotube solution ranges from about 5 ppm to about 60 ppm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2012
    Publication date: August 29, 2013
    Applicant: NANTERO INC.
    Inventors: David A. ROBERTS, Rahul SEN, Peter SITES, J. Thomas KOCAB, Billy Smith, Feng GU
  • Patent number: 8512458
    Abstract: A carbon nanotube filter, a use for a carbon nanotube filter and a method of forming a carbon nanotube filter. The method including (a) providing a carbon source and a carbon nanotube catalyst; (b) growing carbon nanotubes by reacting the carbon source with the nanotube catalyst; (c) forming chemically active carbon nanotubes by forming a chemically active layer on the carbon nanotubes or forming chemically reactive groups on sidewalls of the carbon nanotubes; and (d) placing the chemically active nanotubes in a filter housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Steven J. Holmes, Mark C. Hakey, David V. Horak, James G. Ryan
  • Patent number: 8507895
    Abstract: An organic light emitting device including graphene. The organic light emitting device includes a first electrode that is interposed between a transparent substrate and an organic layer emitting light, and includes graphene having a thickness of about 0.1 nanometer (nm) to about 10 nanometers (nm).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jae-young Choi, Won-mook Choi
  • Publication number: 20130189580
    Abstract: Nanocarbon-based materials are provided in connection with various devices and methods of manufacturing. As consistent with one or more embodiments, an apparatus includes a nanocarbon structure having inorganic particles covalently bonded thereto. The resulting hybrid structure functions as a circuit node such as an electrode terminal. In various embodiments, the hybrid structure includes two or more electrodes, at least one of which including the nanocarbon structure with inorganic particles covalently bonded thereto.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2013
    Publication date: July 25, 2013
    Applicant: The board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford Junior University
    Inventor: The board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford Junior University
  • Patent number: 8476510
    Abstract: The present invention generally relates to compositions comprising and methods for forming functionalized carbon-based nanostructures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Timothy M. Swager, William R. Collins, Wiktor Lewandowski, Ezequiel Schmois, Stefanie Sydlik, Joseph Walish, John B. Goods
  • 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: 20130092236
    Abstract: Solar cells are provided. The solar cell may include a substrate, a first electrode, a light absorption layer, a second electrode. Additionally, an intrinsic layer and a buffer layer may further be disposed between the light absorption layer and the second electrode. Here, the first and second electrodes may consist of carbon nanotubes of which polarities may be controlled. Thus, a flexible solar cell of low costs and high efficiency may be realized.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2012
    Publication date: April 18, 2013
    Applicant: ELECTRONICS AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS RESEARCH INSTITUTE
    Inventor: Kyung Hyun KIM
  • Patent number: 8420717
    Abstract: A method of making a water soluble carbon nanostructure includes treating a fluorinated carbon nanostructure material with a polyol in the presence of a base. A water soluble carbon nanostructure comprises a fluorinated carbon nanostructure covalently bound to a polyol. Exemplary uses of water soluble carbon nanostructures include use in polymer composites, biosensors and drug delivery vehicles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: William Marsh Rice University
    Inventors: Valery N. Khabashesku, Oleksandr Kuznetsov, Rui Lobo
  • Publication number: 20130089769
    Abstract: An electrochemical energy cell has a galvanic cell including an anode electrode unit, a cathode electrode unit, an electrolyte body between the anode and cathode electrode units and contacting both the anode and cathode electrode units, and a separator layer including the electrolyte body and placed within the cell to contact both the anode and cathode electrode units to bring the anode and cathode electrode units in contact with the electrolyte body. The cathode electrode unit includes a cathode material including a powder mixture of a powder of hydrated ruthenium oxide and one or more additives. The anode electrode unit includes a structure formed of an oxidizable metal, and the separator layer includes a material that is porous to ions in liquid and is electrically non-conductive. A flexible electrochemical cell can be configured for a reduction-oxidation reaction to generate power at a surface of the electrode unit(s).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2011
    Publication date: April 11, 2013
    Applicant: FlexEL, LLC
    Inventors: Robert Benjamin Proctor, Martin C. Peckerar, Zeynep Dilli, Mahsa Dornajafi, Daniel Lowy
  • Patent number: 8404570
    Abstract: Graded core/shell semiconductor nanorods and shapped nanorods are disclosed comprising Group II-VI, Group III-V and Group IV semiconductors and methods of making the same. Also disclosed are nanorod barcodes using core/shell nanorods where the core is a semiconductor or metal material, and with or without a shell. Methods of labeling analytes using the nanorod barcodes are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: A. Paul Alivisatos, Erik C. Scher, Liberato Manna
  • 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: 20130072669
    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: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2012
    Publication date: March 21, 2013
    Applicant: University of Maryland, College Park
    Inventors: YuHuang Wang, Alexandra H. Brozena, Shunliu Deng, Yin Zhang
  • Patent number: 8398234
    Abstract: Devices including a coating layer formed of a transparent, conductive coating composition described. The coating layer may function as an active antifog coating for the prevention of water vapor condensation as droplets on a surface. The coating includes a conductive polymer and functionalized carbon nanostructures and may be crosslinked with a transition metal crosslinking agent. The composition may be coated on a surface used in a visualization application such as a face shield, glasses, safety glasses, goggles, oculars, etc., to prevent fogging on the surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, inc.
    Inventors: Pingshan Wang, Brij P. Singh, Aladin B. Ferian, III, Timothy H. Morgan, Debra N. Welchel, Matrice B. Jackson
  • Patent number: 8388127
    Abstract: A vision assistance device includes a lens based on a transparent material, a conductive transparent thin film contacting the lens and containing carbon nanotubes, electrodes electrically connected to the conductive transparent thin film, and a portable power supply electrically connected to the electrodes. The vision assistance device prevents fogging and retains heat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: Korea Institute of Machinery & Materials
    Inventors: Chang-Soo Han, Jin-Won Song, Joon-Dong Kim
  • Patent number: 8366630
    Abstract: The present invention provides a system for measuring biomarker analytes indicative of various diseases comprising an array of sensors sensitive to volatile organic compounds. Particularly, the system is composed of a random network of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) coated with non-polar small organic molecules in conjunction with learning and pattern recognition algorithms. Methods of discriminating between breath samples of healthy individuals and of lung cancer patients are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: Technion Research and Development Foundation Ltd.
    Inventors: Hossam Haick, Peng Gang
  • 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: 20120323031
    Abstract: A carbon nanotube material is exposed to ultraviolet rays, and a silicon-containing compound capable of modifying the surface of the carbon nanotube material in combination with the ultraviolet rays is supplied to thereby modify the surface of the carbon nanotube material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2012
    Publication date: December 20, 2012
    Applicant: FUJITSU SEMICONDUCTOR LIMITED
    Inventor: Koji Asano
  • Patent number: 8318250
    Abstract: Anchored nanostructure materials and methods for their fabrication are described. The anchored nanostructure materials may utilize nano-catalysts that include powder-based or solid-based support materials. The support material may comprise metal, such as NiAl, ceramic, a cermet, or silicon or other metalloid. Typically, nanoparticles are disposed adjacent a surface of the support material. Nanostructures may be formed as anchored to nanoparticles that are adjacent the surface of the support material by heating the nano-catalysts and then exposing the nano-catalysts to an organic vapor. The nanostructures are typically single wall or multi-wall carbon nanotubes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: Babcock & Wilcox Technical Services Y-12, LLC
    Inventors: Roland D. Seals, Paul A. Menchhofer, Jane Y. Howe, Wei Wang
  • Publication number: 20120296121
    Abstract: The invention relates to a process for producing carbon fillers having covalently bonded amino groups, by converting a mixture comprising carbon fillers and alkali metals and/or alkaline earth metals and/or amides thereof in liquid anhydrous ammonia, optionally together with an inert solvent, at temperatures of 35 to 500° C. and a pressure of 30 to 250 bar.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2012
    Publication date: November 22, 2012
    Applicant: BASF SE
    Inventors: Christof Wilhelm Wigbers, Marion Kristina Brinks, Johann-Peter Melder
  • Publication number: 20120280174
    Abstract: The method of inhibiting free radical polymerization of styrene includes adding multi-walled carbon nanotubes are added to the styrene monomer. The addition of the multi-walled carbon nanotubes at a concentration of 5% by weight is found to provide effective inhibition of the polymerization of the styrene. Greater decreases in the conversion rate of styrene to polystyrene are found through the addition of multi-walled carbon nanotubes functionalized with a carboxylic group (COOH). Still greater decreases in the conversion rate of styrene to polystyrene are found through the addition of multi-walled carbon nanotubes functionalized with octadecylamine (C18H39N). The multi-walled carbon nanotubes may also be functionalized with other functional groups, such as octadecanoate, polyethylene glycol or phenol. The functionalized multi-walled carbon nanotubes only require addition at a concentration of 1% by weight to be effective in polymerization inhibition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2011
    Publication date: November 8, 2012
    Applicants: KING ABDULAZIZ CITY FOR SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, KING FAHD UNIVERSITY OF PETROLEUM AND MINERALS
    Inventors: MUATAZ ALI ATIEH, ADNAN AL-AMER, ISSAM THAHER AMR