Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for preparing a ferrite superparamagnetic nano particle engineered by magnesium doping, and a technique for applying it to hyperthermia cancer cell treatment and the heat shock protein (HSP) self-defense mechanism.

Abstract: Methods of preparing pre-engineered surfaces using various nanolithography techniques to generate, isolate, and multiply homogeneous cell populations. Surfaces can be treated by etching before exposure to biological systems like cells. Stem cell applications are described.

Abstract: A method of forming granules, the method including forming a suspension of a nanopowder such as a nano zirconia powder containing yttria. The powder is formed from a suspension, and freon is added directly to the suspension as an additive. The suspension is then granulated by spray freeze drying, and the freon subsequently removed by heat treatment. The voids left by the vacated freon provide meso, micro and macro flaws or structural defects in the granules.

Abstract: Techniques for making nanowires with a desired diameter are provided. The nanowires can be grown from catalytic nanoparticles, wherein the nanowires can have substantially same diameter as the catalytic nanoparticles. Since the size or the diameter of the catalytic nanoparticles can be controlled in production of the nanoparticles, the diameter of the nanowires can be subsequently controlled as well. The catalytic nanoparticles are melted and provided with a gaseous precursor of the nanowires. When supersaturation of the catalytic nanoparticles with the gaseous precursor is reached, the gaseous precursor starts to solidify and form nanowires. The nanowires are separate from each other and not bind with each other to form a plurality of nanowires having the substantially uniform diameter.

Abstract: A method of forming an implant to be implanted into living bone is disclosed. The method comprises the act of roughening at least a portion of the implant surface to produce a microscale roughened surface. The method further comprises the act of immersing the microscale roughened surface into a solution containing hydrogen peroxide and a basic solution to produce a nanoscale roughened surface consisting of nanopitting superimposed on the microscale roughened surface. The nanoscale roughened surface has a property that promotes osseointegration.

Abstract: A substrate for Surface Enhanced Raman Scattering (SERS). The substrate comprises at least one nanostructure protruding from a surface of the substrate and a SERS active metal over the at least one nanostructure, wherein the SERS active metal substantially covers the at least one nanostructure and the SERS active metal creates a textured layer on the at least one nanostructure.

Abstract: Systems, techniques and applications for nanoscale coating structures and materials that are superhydrophobic with a water contact angle greater than about 140° or 160° and/or superoleophobic with an oil contact angle greater than about 140° or 160°. The nanostructured coatings can include Si or metallic, ceramic or polymeric nanowires that may have a re-entrant or mushroom-like tip geometry. The nanowired coatings can be used in various self-cleaning applications ranging from glass windows for high-rise buildings and non-wash automobiles to pipeline inner surface coatings and surface coatings for biomedical implants.

Abstract: A patterned magnetic recording medium, accessible by a magnetic recording head, including a plurality of tracks, a width direction of each track and that of the magnetic recording head being of a skew angle. The patterned magnetic recording medium includes a plurality of magnetic dots, each corresponding to a recording bit, formed on a non-magnetic material. The plurality of magnetic dots are arranged in a plurality of arrays, each array corresponding to one of the tracks. Every N adjacent magnetic dots of the array define a polygon, one side thereof being parallel to the corresponding track, and another side thereof being parallel to a direction corresponding to the skew angle of the corresponding track.

Abstract: A method of recycling a control wafer having a low-k dielectric layer deposited thereon involves etching a portion of the low-k dielectric layer using a plasma resulting in a residual film of the low-k dielectric layer and byproduct particulates of carbon on the substrate. The residual dielectric film is removed by wet etching with a low polarization organic solvent that includes HF and a surfactant.

Abstract: A target layer comprising at least one degradable material is deposited on a support. Nanotubes are then formed on the degradable material of the target layer before deposition of an insulating layer is performed. Degradation of the degradable material and elimination of degradation sub-products are then performed by means of the nanotubes passing through the insulating layer thus forming air gaps in the target layer.

Abstract: Certain example embodiments of this invention relate to large-area transparent conductive coatings (TCCs) including carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and nanowire composites, and methods of making the same. The ?dc/?opt ratio of such thin films may be improved via stable chemical doping and/or alloying of CNT-based films. The doping and/or alloying may be implemented in a large area coating system, e.g., on glass and/or other substrates. In certain example embodiments, a CNT film may be deposited and then doped via chemical functionalization and/or alloyed with silver and/or palladium. Both p-type and n-type dopants may be used in different embodiments of this invention. In certain example embodiments, silver and/or other nanowires may be provided, e.g., to further decrease sheet resistance. Certain example embodiments may provide coatings that approach, meet, or exceed 90% visible transmission and 90 ohms/square target metrics.

Abstract: The invention concerns a nanowire structural element suited for use in a microreactor system or microcatalyzer system. A template based process is used for the production of the nanowire structural element, wherein the nanowires are electrochemically depositioned in the nanopores. The irradiation is carried out at different angles, such that a nanowire network is formed. The hollow chamber-like structure in the nanowire network is established through the dissolving of the template foil and removal of the dissolved template material. The interconnecting of the nanowires provides stability to the nanowire structural element and an electrical connection between the nanowires is created thereby.

Abstract: The present invention provides means and methods for producing surface-activated semiconductor nanoparticles suitable for in vitro and in vivo applications that can fluoresce in response to light excitation. Semiconductor nanostructures can be produced by generating a porous layer in semiconductor substrate comprising a network of nanostructures. Prior or subsequent to cleavage from the substrate, the nanostructures can be activated by an activation means such as exposing their surfaces to a plasma, oxidation or ion implantation. In some embodiments, the surface activation renders the nanostructures more hydrophilic, thereby facilitating functionalization of the nanoparticles for either in vitro or in vivo use.

Abstract: Methods for forming a nanoperforated graphene material are provided. The methods comprise forming an etch mask defining a periodic array of holes over a graphene material and patterning the periodic array of holes into the graphene material. The etch mask comprises a pattern-defining block copolymer layer, and can optionally also comprise a wetting layer and a neutral layer. The nanoperforated graphene material can consist of a single sheet of graphene or a plurality of graphene sheets.

Abstract: A high density magnetic recording medium including aggregates of magnetic nanoparticles arranged stably and efficiently in demarcated sections in the surface of a substrate is manufactured by the steps of forming a plurality of parallel tracks in the surface of the substrate, forming a plurality of minute recesses serially at approximately equal intervals in each of the tracks, casting a liquid dispersion of magnetic nanoparticles into the minute recesses, and evaporating dispersing medium from the liquid dispersion, thereby forming an aggregate of magnetic nanoparticles in each of the minute recesses.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a sensor comprising a nanowire on a support substrate with a first semiconductor layer arranged on the support substrate is disclosed. The method comprises forming a fin structure from the first semiconductor layer, the fin structure comprising at least two supporting portions and a fin portion arranged there between; oxidizing at least the fin portion of the fin structure thereby forming the nanowire being surrounded by a first layer of oxide; and forming an insulating layer above the supporting portions; wherein the supporting portions and the first insulating layer form a microfluidic channel. A nanowire sensor is also disclosed.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a method for manufacturing a thin layer chromatography (“TLC”) plate is disclosed. The method includes forming a layer of elongated nanostructures (e.g., carbon nanotubes), and at least partially coating the elongated nanostructures with a coating. The coating includes a stationary phase and/or precursor of a stationary phase for use in chromatography. The stationary phase may be functionalized with hydroxyl groups by exposure to acidified water vapor or immersion in a concentrated acid bath (e.g., HCl and methanol). At least a portion of the elongated nanostructures may be removed after being coated. Embodiments for TLC plates and related methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for forming a patterned material layer on a structure, by condensing a vapor to a solid condensate layer on a surface of the structure and then localized removal of selected regions of the condensate layer by directing a beam of energy at the selected regions. The structure can then be processed, with at least a portion of the patterned solid condensate layer on the structure surface, and then the solid condensate layer removed. Further there can be stimulated localized reaction between the solid condensate layer and the structure by directing a beam of energy at at least one selected region of the condensate layer.

Abstract: An electroluminescent device emits light at a pump wavelength. A first photoluminescent element covers first and second regions of the electroluminescent device and converts at least some of the pump light from the first region of the electroluminescent device to light at a first wavelength. A second photoluminescent element covers the second region of the electroluminescent device without covering the first region of the electroluminescent device and converts at least some of the light of the pump wavelength to light at a second wavelength different from the first wavelength. In some embodiments the first and second photoluminescent elements convert substantially all of the pump light incident from the first and second regions of the electroluminescent device respectively. An etch-stop layer may separate the first and second photoluminescent elements.

Abstract: The invention provides a system and process of patterning structures on a carbon based surface comprising exposing part of the surface to an ion flux, such that material properties of the exposed surface are modified to provide a hard mask effect on the surface. A further step of etching unexposed parts of the surface forms the structures on the surface. The inventors have discovered that by controlling the ion exposure, alteration of the surface structure at the top surface provides a mask pattern, without substantially removing any material from the exposed surface. The mask allows for subsequent ion etching of unexposed areas of the surface leaving the exposed areas raised relative to the unexposed areas thus manufacturing patterns onto the surface. For example, a Ga+ focussed ion beam exposes a pattern onto a diamond surface which produces such a pattern after its exposure to a plasma etch.

Abstract: A method is shown for fabricating nanostructures, and more particularly, to methods of fabricating silicon nanowires. The method of manufacturing a nanowire includes forming a sandwich structure of SiX material and material Si over a substrate and etching the sandwich structure to expose sidewalls of the Si material and the SiX material. The method further includes etching the SiX material to expose portions of the Si material and etching the exposed portions of the Si material. The method also includes breaking away the Si material to form silicon nanowires.

Abstract: A process of preparing a plurality of nanostructures, each being composed of at least one target material is disclosed. The process comprises sequentially electrodepositing a first material and the at least one target material into pores of a porous membrane having a nanometric pore diameter, to thereby obtain within the pores nanometric rods, each of the nanometric rods having a plurality of segments where any two adjacent segments are made of different materials. The process further comprises and etching the membrane and the first material, thereby obtaining the nanostructures.

Abstract: A stress-engineered microspring is formed generally in the plane of a substrate. A nanowire (or equivalently, a nanotube) is formed at the tip thereof, also in the plane of the substrate. Once formed, the length of the nanowire may be defined, for example photolithographically. A sacrificial layer underlying the microspring may then be removed, allowing the engineered stresses in the microspring to cause the structure to bend out of plane, elevating the nanowire off the substrate and out of plane. Use of the nanowire as a contact is thereby provided. The nanowire may be clamped at the tip of the microspring for added robustness. The nanowire may be coated during the formation process to provide additional functionality of the final device.

Abstract: This invention presents a method for the fabrication of periodic nanostructures on polymeric surfaces by means of plasma processing, which method comprises the following steps: (i) provision of a homogeneous organic polymer (such as PMMA, or PET, or PEEK, or PS, or PE, or COC) or inorganic polymer (such as PDMS or ORMOCER); (ii) exposure of the polymer to an etching plasma such as oxygen (O2) or sulphur hexafluoride (SF6) or a mixture of oxygen (O2) and sulphur hexafluoride (SF6), or mixtures of etching gases with inert gases such as any Noble gas (Ar, He, Ne, Xe).

Abstract: An apparatus capable of dispensing drops of material with volumes on the order of zeptoliters is described. In some embodiments of the inventive pipette the size of the droplets so dispensed is determined by the size of a hole, or channel, through a carbon shell encapsulating a reservoir that contains material to be dispensed. The channel may be formed by irradiation with an electron beam or other high-energy beam capable of focusing to a spot size less than about 5 nanometers. In some embodiments, the dispensed droplet remains attached to the pipette by a small thread of material, an atomic scale meniscus, forming a virtually free-standing droplet. In some embodiments the droplet may wet the pipette tip and take on attributes of supported drops. Methods for fabricating and using the pipette are also described.

Abstract: The invention provides products of manufacture, e.g., biomaterials and implants, for cartilage maintenance and/or formation in-vivo, in-vitro, and ex-vivo, using nanotechnology, e.g., using nanotube, nanowire, nanopillar and/or nanodepots configured on surface structures of the products of manufacture.

Abstract: A method produces nanoparticles by electrospinning a silicon composition having at least one silicon atom. The electrospinning of the silicon composition forms fibers. The fibers are pyrolyzed to produce the nanoparticles. The nanoparticles have excellent photo-luminescent properties and are suitable for use in many different applications.

Abstract: Applicant discloses multifunctional, highly active oxidation catalysts and methods of making such catalysts. Such methods include providing nanoparticles comprising titanium-oxo and zinc-oxo compositions, such as crystalline anatase titania nanoparticles with zinc-oxo domains on their surfaces, and etching the nanoparticles. The method also includes depositing catalytically active gold onto the nanoparticles, by, for example, physical vapor deposition.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of manufacturing a gas sensor by using a nano-fiber including metal oxide. The method of manufacturing the gas sensor includes the steps of (1) mixing a polymer precursor with a solvent, (2) dispersing metal oxide into the mixture obtained through step (1), (3) preparing a nano-fiber by performing electro-spinning with respect to the mixture obtained through step (2), (4) oxidizing the nano-fiber obtained through step (3), (5) carbonizing the nano-fiber that has been oxidized through step (4), (6) activating the nano-fiber that has been carbonized through step (5), and (7) manufacturing the gas sensor by depositing the nano-fiber, which has been activated through step (6), between electrodes of a silicon wafer. The gas sensor is manufactured with superior sensitivity at a normal temperature and reliability.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method for fabricating a nanoscale thermoelectric device, which comprises steps: providing at least one template having a group of nanoscale pores; forming a substrate on the bottom of the template; injecting a molten semiconductor material into the nanoscale pores to form a group of semiconductor nanoscale wires; removing the substrate to obtain a semiconductor nanoscale wire array; and using metallic conductors to cascade at least two semiconductor nanoscale wire arrays to form a thermoelectric device having a higher thermoelectric conversion efficiency.

Abstract: A method for reshaping a nanostructure. The method includes applying a vector force to the nanostructure to obtain a desired shape and passing current through the nanostructure thereby reshaping the nanostructure to a reshaped geometry different from the initial shape. The nanostructure may additionally be cleaned.

Abstract: A method for making a carbon nanotube film includes the following steps. A carbon nanotube array fixed on a substrate holder is provided. A carbon nanotube film is drawn from the carbon nanotube array. A first part of the carbon nanotube film is adhered to a first bar placed on a bar supply device. The carbon nanotube film is stretched by the first bar. A second part of the carbon nanotube film is adhered to a second bar positioned on the bar supply device. A third part of the carbon nanotube film is adhered to a supporting element placed on a carrier device. The third part of the carbon nanotube film is separated from the first part and the second part of carbon nanotube film. The third part of the carbon nanotube film adhered to the supporting element is obtained.

Abstract: This invention concerns a manufacturing process for nanoparticles composted of biodegradable polymers and active ingredients with therapeutic, cosmetic, veterinary, and alimentary applications, and a composition which contains said nanoparticles, which are used in products for animals, including humans. The process consists of emulsifying the hydrosoluble substances to form a w/o emulsion; dissolving the non-emulsionable substances, liposoluble polymer or polymer/compounds in organic solvents; mixing the w/o emulsion and the organic solution of the hydrophobics to form a pre-emulsioned mixture; adding the pre-emulsioned mixture, with the assistance of an injector system, to an aqueous emulsifier solution under ultradispersion to form the final emulsion; leading the final emulsion to evaporation, then centrifuge, freeze, and lyophilize.

Abstract: A method of aligning an imprint template with respect to a target region of a substrate is disclosed, the method including depositing a volume of an imprintable medium within the target region; contacting an imprint template to the imprintable medium so that the imprintable medium is compressed and allowing the imprint template, the target region, or both, to move laterally with respect to each other under interfacial tension forces between the target region and the imprint template, wherein a material which is less wetting than the substrate is provided in a configuration which at least partially surrounds the target region of the substrate.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for formation of a composite material on a substrate. The composite material includes carbon nanotubes and/or nanofibers, and composite intrinsic and doped silicon structures. In one embodiment, the substrates are in the form of an elongated sheet or web of material, and the apparatus includes supply and take-up rolls to support the web prior to and after formation of the composite materials. The web is guided through various processing chambers to form the composite materials. In another embodiment, the large scale substrates comprise discrete substrates. The discrete substrates are supported on a conveyor system or, alternatively, are handled by robots that route the substrates through the processing chambers to form the composite materials on the substrates. The composite materials are useful in the formation of energy storage devices and/or photovoltaic devices.

Abstract: This invention provides a process of making a stable aqueous dispersion including concentrated, finely divided particles of a water insoluble biocide active, which comprises grinding the biocide in water in the presence of a non-ionic polymeric dispersant and optionally a co-dispersant, and compositions prepared by this process.

Abstract: A transparent conductor including a conductive layer coated on a substrate is described. More specifically, the conductive layer comprises a network of nanowires that may be embedded in a matrix. The conductive layer is optically clear, patternable and is suitable as a transparent electrode in visual display devices such as touch screens, liquid crystal displays, plasma display panels and the like.

Abstract: The molecule is prepared by capping phospholipid on a single gold nanoparticle (GNP). Since the thiol-related molecule bounded on GNP shows the characteristic of surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS), the phospholipid-capped gold nanoparticle (PLGNP) can be formed as a nanoprobe applied on the detection device integrating optics and chemistry and used in the fields of biomedicine, medical diagnosis and environment for detecting, such as solutions containing salts or proteins.

Abstract: Engineered proteins are used in the assembly of two-dimensional and three-dimensional nanostructure assemblies, based on systematic design and production of protein node structures that can be interconnected, for example, with streptavidin or streptavidin-incorporating struts to produce structures with defined dimensions and geometry. Nanostructure assemblies having utility as functional devices or as resists for the patterning of substrates have architectures including polygons, polyhedra, two-dimensional lattices, and three-dimensional lattices.

Abstract: A reflection-reducing interference layer system is disclosed, which has at least three alternating layers having different refractive indices. At least one nanostructured layer comprising an organic material or an organic-inorganic hybrid material is applied to the alternating layers. With the interference layer system, it is possible to obtain very low reflection over a wide wavelength and incident angle range.

Abstract: Devices, methods, and techniques for frequency-dependent optical switching are provided. In one embodiment, a device includes a substrate, a first optical-field confining structure located on the substrate, a second optical-field confining structure located on the substrate, and a composite structure located between the first and second optical-field confining structures. The second optical-field confining structure may be spaced apart from the first optical-field confining structure. The composite structure may include an embedding structure with a surface to receive photons and multiple quantum structures located in the embedding structure.

Abstract: A method of forming a microchannel as well as a thin film structure including same is made by forming a first thin film on a side of a substrate, forming a fugitive second thin film on the first thin film such that the second thin film defines a precursor of the elongated microchannel and a plurality of extensions connected to and extending transversely relative to the precursor along a length thereof A third thin film is formed on the first thin film and the fugitive second thin film such that the second thin film resides between the first thin film and the third thin film. A respective access site is formed in a region of the third thin film residing on a respective extension and penetrating to the fugitive second thin film. The fugitive second thin film forming the precursor is selectively removed from between the first thin film and the third thin film using an etching medium introduced through the access sites, thereby forming the microchannel between the first thin film and the third thin film.

Abstract: Abstract: The invention relates to a method for making a 3D nanostructure having a nanosubstructure, comprising the steps of: i) providing a mold comprising at least one sharp concave corner; ii) conformational depositing at least one structural material in the sharp concave corner; iii) isotropically removing structural material; iv) depositing at least one other structural material; v) removing earlier deposited structural material; vi) forming a nanosubstructure; and vii) removing the mold thereby providing the 3D nanostructure having the nanosubstructure.

Abstract: A carbon nanosphere has at least one opening. The carbon nanosphere is obtained by preparing a carbon nanosphere and treating it with an acid to form the opening. The carbon nanosphere with at least one opening has higher utilization of a surface area and electrical conductivity and lower mass transfer resistance than a conventional carbon nanotube, thus allowing for higher current density and cell voltage with a smaller amount of metal catalyst per unit area of a fuel cell electrode.

Abstract: Provided herein is a medical implant having a nanostructure on top of a microstructure and the methods of making and using the same.

Abstract: A process for encapsulating metal microparticles in a pH sensitive polymer matrix using a suspension containing the polymer. The process first disperses the metal particles in a polymeric solution consisting of a pH sensitive polymer. The particles are then encapsulated in the form of micro-spheres of about 5-10 microns in diameter comprising the pH sensitive polymer and the metal ions (Ni2+, Cu2+) to be coated. The encapsulated matrix includes first metal particles homogeneously dispersed in a pH sensitive matrix, comprising the second metal ions. A high shear homogenization process ensures homogenization of the aqueous mixture resulting in uniform particle encapsulation. The encapsulated powder may be formed using spray drying. The powder may be then coated in a controlled aqueous media using an electroless deposition process. The polymer is removed when the encapsulated micro-spheres encounter a pH change in the aqueous solution.

Abstract: A method realizes a multispacer structure including an array of spacers having same height. The method includes realizing, on a substrate, a sacrificial layer of a first material; b) realizing, on the sacrificial layer, a sequence of mask spacers obtained by SnPT, which are alternately obtained in at least two different materials; c) chemically etching one of the two different materials with selective removal of the mask spacers of this etched material and partial exposure of the sacrificial layer; d) chemically and/or anisotropically etching the first material with selective removal of the exposed portions of the sacrificial layer; e) chemically etching the other one of the two different materials with selective removal of the mask spacers of this etched material and obtainment of the multispacer structure.

Abstract: The present invention relates to nanopillar arrays that may have relatively large dimensions and relatively large interpillar distances. The present invention also relates to methods of forming the same. In some embodiments of the invention, methods of forming hexagonal nanopillar arrays include forming a base comprising aluminum; forming a hexagonal pattern of pits in the aluminum; anodizing the aluminum to form aluminum oxide comprising a primary hexagonal nanopore array at the positions of the pits in the aluminum; depositing a conductive material into the nanopores of the primary hexagonal nanopore array; and removing the mask and the aluminum oxide to provide the hexagonal nanopillar array.

Abstract: In one preferred aspects, methods are provided to produce a three-dimensional feature, comprising: (a) providing a nano-manipulator device; (b) positioning an article with the nano-manipulator device; and (c) manipulating the article to produce the three-dimensional feature. The invention relates to production of nanoscale systems that can be tailored with specific physical and/or electrical characteristics or need to have these characteristics modified. Methods and apparatus are presented that can construct three-dimensional nanostructures and can also modify existing nanostructures in three dimensions.

Abstract: A method for forming an array of elongated nanostructures, includes in one embodiment, providing a substrate, providing a template having a plurality of pores on the substrate, and removing portions of the substrate under the plurality of pores of the template to form a plurality of cavities. A catalyst is provided in the plurality of cavities in the substrate, and the pores of the template are widened to expose the substrate around the catalyst so that the catalyst is spaced from the sides of the plurality of pores of the template. A plurality of elongated nanostructures is grown from the catalyst spaced from the sides of the pores of the template.