Abstract: The invention relates to the synthesis of silicon-containing nanoparticles by laser pyrolysis. For this purpose: a precursor (SiH4) containing the element silicon is conveyed, by a transport fluid (He), into a pyrolysis reactor (REAC); laser radiation (LAS) is applied, in the reactor, to a mixture that the transport fluid and the precursor form; and silicon-containing nanoparticles (nP) are recovered at the exit of the reactor. In particular, the power of the laser radiation is controlled. Furthermore, the effective pulse duration is controlled within a laser firing period. Typically, for a power greater than 500 watts and a pulse duration greater than 40% of a laser firing period, nanoparticles having a crystalline structure with a size of less than or of the order of one nanometer are obtained at a rate greater than or of the order of 80 milligrams per hour. Under optimum conditions, a record rate of greater than 740 milligrams per hour was able to be obtained.

Abstract: X-ray fluorescence computed tomography (XFCT) using polychromatic x-rays is provided herein. The XFCT of the presently disclosed subject matter allows for the imaging of various cells loaded with metallic nanoparticles using polychromatic diagnostic energy x-rays. Both imaging of nanoparticles distributed within a cell and the quantification of nanoparticle concentration within the cell, in some configurations, may be accomplished. The x-ray source may, in some examples, provide a pencil beam or a cone/fan beam x-ray configuration.

Abstract: Nanoparticles with a metal or metallic core and an outer shell comprising a matrix and a dopant. For example, a nanoparticle can have a gold core and outer shell comprising silica and an organic dye. Such nanoparticles can have use in, for example, optical communication applications, chemical and biosensing applications, and imaging applications.

Abstract: A surface nanostructure forming method includes: preparing a substrate having an appropriate processing value; a first process of irradiating a part which is close to a surface of the substrate with laser light having a pulse duration of picosecond order or shorter at an irradiation intensity being close to the appropriate processing value of the substrate, or greater than or equal to the appropriate processing value and less than or equal to an ablation threshold and forming periodic nanostructures in which first modified portions and second modified portions are periodically arranged in a self-assembled manner at a focus at which the laser light is concentrated and in a region being close to the focus; and a second process of performing an etching treatment on the surface of the substrate having the periodic nanostructures formed thereon to form an uneven structure having the first modified portions as valleys.

Abstract: In one aspect of the present invention, a method for sorting nanoparticles includes preparing a high-viscosity density gradient medium filled in a container, dispersing nanoparticles into an aqueous solution to form a suspension of the nanoparticles, each nanoparticle having one or more cores and a shell encapsulating the one or more cores, layering the suspension of the nanoparticles on the top of the high-viscosity density gradient medium in the container, and centrifugating the layered suspension of the nanoparticles on the top of the high-viscosity density gradient medium in the container at a predetermined speed for a predetermined period of time to form a gradient of fractions of the nanoparticles along the container, where each fraction comprises nanoparticles in a respective one of aggregation states of the nanoparticles.

Abstract: Various embodiments include a method of producing chemically pure and stably dispersed metal and metal-alloy nanoparticle colloids with ultrafast pulsed laser ablation. A method comprises irradiating a metal or metal alloy target submerged in a liquid with ultrashort laser pulses at a high repetition rate, cooling a portion of the liquid that includes an irradiated region, and collecting nanoparticles produced with the laser irradiation and liquid cooling. The method may be implemented with a high repetition rate ultrafast pulsed laser source, an optical system for focusing and moving the pulsed laser beams, a metal or metal alloy target submerged in a liquid, and a liquid circulating system to cool the laser focal volume and collect the nanoparticle products. By controlling various laser parameters, and with optional liquid flow movement, the method provides stable colloids of dispersed metal and metal-alloy nanoparticles. In various embodiments additional stabilizing chemical agents are not required.

Abstract: A solar cell includes a substrate layer and a plurality of nanowires grown outwardly from the substrate layer, at least two of the nanowires including a plurality of sub-cells. The solar cell also includes one or more light guiding layers formed of a transparent, light scattering material and filling the area between the plurality of nanowires.

Abstract: A method of making a patterned dried polymer from a polymer solution or polymer dispersion, the method comprising the step of placing a mask above the polymer solution/dispersion so that there are exposed areas of polymer solution/dispersion and unexposed areas of polymer solution/dispersion, and irradiating the masked polymer solution/dispersion with infrared radiation.

Abstract: A piezoelectric and/or pyroelectric composite solid hybrid material, includes: a solid dielectric matrix, a filler of at least one inorganic piezoelectric and/or pyroelectric material, wherein the filler includes filiform nanoparticles distributed throughout the volume of the solid dielectric matrix with an amount by volume of less than 50%, and in that the main directions of elongation of the filiform nanoparticles of the inorganic filler distributed in the dielectric matrix have a substantially isotropic distribution in the solid dielectric matrix.

Abstract: An environment-friendly porous bead-satellite nanoparticles composite which has excellent recovery and repeated usage performance and can be used as a catalyst, an antiviral agent, or an antimicrobial, and a fabrication method thereof are provided. The porous bead-satellite nanoparticles composite includes a porous bead, a molecule having a first end coupled to the surface of the porous bead and including a functional group at a second end, and satellite nanoparticles coupled to the functional group, wherein the porous bead may have a core-shell structure including a cluster core of nanoparticles and a porous bead shell covering the cluster core.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a photomask blank wherein a second film is stacked on a first film, the first film containing chromium and which is not substantially etched by the dry etching using fluorine and which is etchable by the dry etching using oxygen-containing chlorine, and the second film containing no chromium and which is etchable by dry etching using fluorine and dry etching using oxygen-containing chlorine.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for synthesis and treatment of electrocatalyst particles in batch or continuous fashion is provided. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises a sonication bath and a two-compartment chamber submerged in the sonication bath. The upper and lower compartments are separated by a microporous material surface. The upper compartment comprises a cover and a working electrode (WE) connected to a Pt foil contact, with the foil contact connected to the microporous material. The upper chamber further comprises reference counter electrodes. The lower compartment comprises an electrochemical cell containing a solution of metal ions. In one embodiment, the method for synthesis of electrocatalysts comprises introducing a plurality of particles into the apparatus and applying sonication and an electrical potential to the microporous material connected to the WE.

Abstract: The present invention is a nanoparticle mixture or suspension or nanofluid comprising nonmagnetically sensitive nanoparticles, magnetically sensitive nanoparticles, and surfactant(s). The present invention also relates to methods of preparing and using the same.

Abstract: A method of determining the deviation of measured pattern vs. computed pattern is disclosed. Other methods are also disclosed herein.

Abstract: This invention relates to Mn—Al magnetic powders of a high coercive force which are obtained from Mn—Al alloy vaporized by plasma arc discharging, and a manufacturing method thereof. The Mn—Al magnetic powders are produced by discharging a plasma arc to a compact which is formed by compacting a blend containing 20-60% by weight of Mn powder and 40-80% by weight of Al powder, collecting nanoscale Mn—Al particles after cooling the vaporized blend, and heat-treating the particles. According to the present invention, the Mn—Al magnetic powders of light weight and enhanced corrosion resistance are produced at a low cost.

Abstract: A device for recovering nanometer or sub-micron particles carried by a gas by generating a stabilized suspension, including: a vessel including a mechanism injecting a liquid; a gas discharge mechanism in an upper portion thereof, located near a particle filter; a particle suspension outlet; and a liquid ring pump, transferring and dispersing particles carried by a gas into a liquid. The pump introduces a gas laden with nanometer or sub-micron particles into the pump; injects at least one liquid into the pump; and discharges the mixture obtained following the transfer. The vessel also includes a mechanism introducing the mixture into the vessel and at least one piezoelectric pellet, immersed in the vessel, configured to generate a fog of micron-sized droplets.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of dispersing carbon nanotubes (CNTs) in a continuous phase, especially in at least one dispersion medium, the carbon nanotubes, especially without prior pretreatment, being dispersed in a continuous phase, especially in at least one dispersion medium, in the presence of at least one dispersant (dispersing agent), with introduction of an energy input sufficient for dispersing, and also to the dispersions that are obtainable in this way, and to their use. With the method of the invention it is possible for the carbon nanotubes (CNTs) to be dispersed in high concentrations and with high storage stability.

Abstract: A method for assembling multi-component nano-structures that includes dispersing a plurality of nano-structures in a fluid medium, and applying an electric field having an alternating current (AC) component and a direct current (DC) component to the fluid medium containing the plurality of nano-structures. The electric field causes a first nano-structure from the plurality of nano-structures to move to a predetermined position and orientation relative to a second nano-structure of the plurality of nano-structures such that the first and second nano-structures assemble into a multi-component nano-structure.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for producing a core-shell nanophosphor for use in radiation storage comprising: a) preparing a nanoscale metal halide core; b) coating the nanoscale metal halide core with at least one shell which is activated by a rare earth metal; and c) forming a core-shell nanophosphor. This invention also relates to a core-shell nanophosphor comprising a substrate core and at least one shell that is sensitive to ionizing radiation, neutrons, electrons or UV radiation. This invention also relates to a radiation image storage panel, a radiation monitoring apparatus and a use of the core-shell nanophosphor according to this invention.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the toxicity assessment of nano-materials, and more specifically, it is relates to an objective, reproducible and accurate assessment method for the unbiased toxicity testings of nano-materials, which minimize artifacts of the conventional methods for the toxicity assessment of the nano-materials by considering the dose characteristics of the nano-material itself using Selective multi-Plane Illumination Microcopy (SPIM); and the response characteristics of the nano-material using the improved or novel cellular responses assessment methods for nano-materials (e.g., modified MTT assay using image cytometric analysis, normal-inverted exposure apparatus, and modified flow cytometry), and a system and an apparatus thereof.

Abstract: An imaging optics includes a plurality of mirrors which reflect imaging light to image an object field in an object plane into an image field in an image plane. A mirror body of at least one of the mirrors has a through-opening for the imaging light to pass through. The through-opening has an internal region of a smallest opening width in the mirror body. The through-opening expands from the internal region towards both edge regions of the mirror body. A disturbing influence of unused light portions is reduced or eliminated completely.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods of manufacturing nanoparticles such as quantum dots at desired nanopore locations in a membrane. The methods disclosed use voltage-driven electrolyte flow to drive the nanoparticle formation.

Abstract: Suppression or enhancement of various properties of a liquid fluid is aimed by improving uniform dispersion of nanoparticles by means of making a state in which no oxidized film exists on the surfaces of the nanoparticles to be dispersed in the liquid fluid. The location of the liquid fluid is confirmed with ease by enhancing the brightness of light emission of the fluid through uniform dispersion of the nanoparticles in the liquid fluid containing a material having a flame reaction. In this way, as to liquid fluids utilized in various industries, it is possible to offer a technology to desirably enhance or suppress a property desired to be enhanced and a property desired to be suppressed among various properties that its constituents have.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the invention is a method and apparatus for sub-pellicle defect reduction on photomasks. One embodiment of a photomask for use in photolithography includes a substrate on which a pattern is formed, the substrate having a frontside and an opposite backside, and a protective coating formed on at least one of the frontside and the backside, the protective coating comprising silicon-based compound.

Abstract: There are provided a UV high-transmittance double-layer wire grid polarizer for a photo-alignment film and a method for manufacturing the same. The UV high-transmittance double-layer wire grid polarizer for a photo-alignment film includes: a substrate; an anti-reflection layer disposed on the substrate; a patterned photoresist layer disposed on the anti-reflection layer; and metal thin films disposed on the photoresist layer and the anti-reflection layer.

Abstract: A process for producing boron nitride nanotubes and/or boron-carbon-nitrogen nanotubes of the general formula BxCyNz. The process utilizes a combination of laser light and nitrogen gas flow to support a boron ball target during heating of the boron ball target and production of a boron vapor plume which reacts with nitrogen or nitrogen and carbon to produce boron nitride nanotubes and/or boron-carbon-nitrogen nanotubes of the general formula BxCyNz.

Abstract: Nanotube filaments comprising carbon, boron and nitrogen of the general formula BxCyNz, having high-aspect ratio and high-crystallinity produced by a pressurized vapor/condenser method and a process of production. The process comprises thermally exciting a boron-containing target in a chamber containing a carbon source and nitrogen at a pressure which is elevated above atmospheric pressure.

Abstract: Nanosized filamentary carbon structures (CNTs) nucleating over a catalyzed surface may be grown in an up-right direction reaching a second surface, spaced from the first surface, without the need of applying any external voltage source bias. The growth process may be inherently self-stopping, upon reaching a significant population of grown CNTs on the second surface. A gap between the two surfaces may be defined for CNT devices being simultaneously fabricated by common integrated circuit integration techniques. The process includes finding that for separation gaps of up to a hundred or more nanometers, a difference between the respective work functions of the materials delimiting the gap space, for example, different metallic materials or a doped semiconductor of different dopant concentration or type, may produce an electric field intensity orienting the growth of nucleated CNTs from the surface of one of the materials toward the surface of the other material.

Abstract: Described are embodiments of an invention for a sample assembly with trenches for detection of analytes with electromagnetic read heads. The sample assembly includes an outer layer with at least one sample trench. The sample trench includes a first set of antibodies that are bonded on a first surface of a base layer. Target antigens are bonded with the first set of antibodies, and a second set of antibodies are bonded to the target antigens. Further, the sample trench includes nanoparticles that are bonded to the second set of antibodies. A head module includes a write head for magnetizing nanoparticles and a read sensor for detecting the magnetized nanoparticles, and thus, the target antigens. The sample trench constrains the biological sample, and thus the target antigen, during the preparation and subsequent analysis of the biological sample. Accordingly, the target antigen is aligned with read elements of a head module such that the target antigen is reliably and accurately detected.

Abstract: A method for producing planar extended electrodes with nanoscale spacings that exhibit very large SERS signals, with each nanoscale gap having one well-defined hot spot. The resulting highly sensitive substrate has extended metal electrodes separated by a nanoscale gap. The electrodes act as optical antennas to enhance dramatically the local electromagnetic field for purposes of spectroscopy or nonlinear optics. SERS response is consistent with a very small number of molecules in the hotspot, showing blinking and wandering of Raman lines. Sensitivity is sufficiently high that SERS from physisorbed atmospheric contaminants may be detected after minutes of exposure to ambient conditions.

Abstract: A method is followed to prepare a powder that includes carbon, silicon and boron, the silicon being in silicon carbide form and the boron being in boron carbide and/or free boron form. The method includes contacting a carbon-based precursor, a silicon-based precursor and a boron-based precursor BX3, X being a halogen atom, to obtain a mixture of these three precursors. The resulting mixture is subjected to laser pyrolysis. The boron-based precursor BX3 is heated, prior to the contacting step and/or simultaneously with the contacting step, to a temperature higher than the condensation temperature of the precursor.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a printed circuit board, including: applying a conductive paste including carbon nanotubes and a photosensitive binder on a bump-forming area of a circuit substrate having a circuit layer for transferring electrical signals; and patterning the conductive paste, thus forming bumps.

Abstract: The present invention provides an aggregate of spherical core-shell cerium oxide/polymer hybrid nanoparticles, a process for producing the same, and a product such as an anti-reflection film having a high refractive index layer.

Abstract: The self-assembly of polyhedral nanostructures having at least one dimension of about 100 nm to about 900 nm with electron-beam lithographically patterned surfaces is provided. The presently disclosed three-dimensional nanostructures spontaneous assemble from two-dimensional, tethered panels during plasma or wet chemical etching of the underlying silicon substrate. Any desired surface pattern with a width as small as fifteen nanometers can be precisely defined in all three dimensions. The formation of curving, continuous nanostructures using extrinsic stress also is disclosed.

Abstract: This invention provides, but is not limited to, methods for synthesizing graphene film from liquid hydrocarbons using deep ultraviolet light. Specifically, methods for synthesizing a graphene film from an alicyclic- or liquid aromatic-hydrocarbon are presented. Methods for forming a graphene film comprising a dopant are also presented.

Abstract: A method of synthesizing ligand-conjugated gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) is disclosed. The method comprises: a) providing an amine-modified silica particle; b) providing a solution comprising Au+3 ions; c) suspending the amine-modified silica particle in the solution comprising Au+3 ions; d) allowing the Au3+ ions to be adsorbed and/or immobilized onto the surface of the amine-modified silica particle; e) exposing the Au3+ ions immobilized onto the surface of the amine-modified silica particle to radiation to obtain bare gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) adsorbed and/or immobilized onto the surface of the amine-modified silica particle, wherein the bare AuNPs are without organic surface modifications; and f) reacting a ligand with the bare AuNPs adsorbed and/or immobilized onto the surface of the amine-modified SiNP and thereby obtain ligand-conjugated gold nanoparticles (AuNPs).

Abstract: The present invention provides atomic Re nanostructures selected from binary Re-metal nanotubes, binary Re-metal nanowires, binary Re-metal nanorods, Re branched nanostructures, and hollow Re nanostructures.

Abstract: Technologies are generally described for a photoresist and methods and systems effective to form a pattern in a photoresist on a substrate. In some examples, the photoresist includes a resin, a photoinitiator and a photoinhibitor. The photoinitiator may be effective to generate a first reactant upon the absorption of at least one photon of a particular wavelength of light. The first reactant may be effective to render the resin soluble or insoluble in a photoresist developer. The photoinhibitor may be effective to generate a second reactant upon the absorption of at least one photon of the particular wavelength of light. The second reactant may be effective to inhibit the first reactant.

Abstract: Nanostructured arrays having a metal catalyst (e.g., cobalt) are irradiated with light to initiate the an artificial photosynthetic reaction resulting in the formation of carbon-containing molecules, for example, long chained hydrocarbons or amino acids. A nanostructure having one or more structural elements having a high aspect ratio can formed over a substrate and are placed in contact with water and a carbon-containing source (e.g., carbon dioxide, bicarbonate, methane). When the nanostructure is exposed to light, the water and the carbon-containing source can react to form a molecule having at least two carbon atoms chained together. Structural elements may include a number of metal layers arranged in a patterned configuration so that, upon light irradiation, a greater amount of light energy is concentrated in close proximity to the region where the reaction is catalyzed than for the case without the patterned configuration.

Abstract: Provided herein is a method of manufacturing a gas sensor. The method includes forming electrodes on a surface of a substrate, manufacturing a paste having a complex of CNTs and a metal-ligand complex comprising a metal that has gas adsorption selectivity for specific gases, coating the paste on the substrate to cover the electrodes, patterning the paste by a photolithography process, and reducing the metal-ligand complex included in the patterned paste.

Abstract: A method of assembling a protein nanostructure on a surface including selectively patterning a surface with a fixation site, bringing a protein node into contact with the surface, and allowing the protein node to bond with the fixation site, so that the position and/or orientation of the protein node is constrained, and compositions.

Abstract: A catalyst structure for an electrochemical cell includes a catalyst support structure, catalyst particles and an outer carbide film The catalyst particles are deposited on the catalyst support structure. The outer carbide film is formed on the catalyst support structure. The outer carbide film surrounds the catalyst particles.

Abstract: A reflective mask comprising: a reflective layer that is arranged on a surface on a side on which EUV light is irradiated and reflects the EUV light; a buffer layer containing Cr that is arranged on a side of the reflective layer on which the EUV light is irradiated and covers an entire surface of the reflective layer; and a non-reflective layer that is arranged on a side of the buffer layer on which the EUV light is irradiated and in which an absorber that absorbs the irradiated EUV light is arranged in a position corresponding to a mask pattern to be reduced and transferred onto a wafer.

Abstract: A method for producing a composite nanoparticle, including the steps of: changing the conformation of a dissolved polyelectrolyte polymer from a first extended conformation to a more compact conformation by changing a solution condition so that at least a portion of the polyelectrolyte polymer is associated with a precursor moiety to form a composite precursor moiety with a mean diameter in the range between about 1 nm and about 100 nm; and cross-linking the polyelectrolyte polymer of the composite precursor moiety to form a composite nanoparticle.

Abstract: A method for assembling multi-component nano-structures that includes dispersing a plurality of nano-structures in a fluid medium, and applying an electric field having an alternating current (AC) component and a direct current (DC) component to the fluid medium containing the plurality of nano-structures. The electric field causes a first nano-structure from the plurality of nano-structures to move to a predetermined position and orientation relative to a second nano-structure of the plurality of nano-structures such that the first and second nano-structures assemble into a multi-component nano-structure.

Abstract: In a method for growing a nanowire array, a photoresist layer is placed onto a nanowire growth layer configured for growing nanowires therefrom. The photoresist layer is exposed to a coherent light interference pattern that includes periodically alternately spaced dark bands and light bands along a first orientation. The photoresist layer exposed to the coherent light interference pattern along a second orientation, transverse to the first orientation. The photoresist layer developed so as to remove photoresist from areas corresponding to areas of intersection of the dark bands of the interference pattern along the first orientation and the dark bands of the interference pattern along the second orientation, thereby leaving an ordered array of holes passing through the photoresist layer. The photoresist layer and the nanowire growth layer are placed into a nanowire growth environment, thereby growing nanowires from the nanowire growth layer through the array of holes.

Abstract: The invention relates to a pentacyclic anion salt and to the use thereof in electrolyte compositions. The compound comprises an inorganic, organic or organometallic cation M of valency m (1?m?3) and m anions corresponding to the formula (I) in which Rf is a —CFZ?Z? group in which Z? is F or a perfluoroalkyl group having from 1 to 3 carbon atoms, and Z? is an H, F or Cl group, an optionally fluorinated or perfluorinated alkoxy group having from 1 to 5 carbon atoms, an optionally fluorinated or perfluorinated oxaalkoxy group having from 1 to 5 carbon atoms or an optionally fluorinated or perfluorinated alkyl group having from 1 to 5 carbon atoms; Z? being other than F when Z? is F. An electrolyte composition comprises said salt in solution in a liquid solvent or a polymer solvent.

Abstract: The present application discloses a method for preparing and rendering hydrophilic a nanoporous material of a polymer matrix which has a porosity of 0.1-90% (v/v), such that the ratio between the fmal water absorption (% (w/w)) and the porosity (% (v/v)) is at least 0.05, the method comprising the steps of: (a) preparing a precursor material comprising at least one polymeric component and having a first phase and a second phase; (b) removal of at least a part of the first phase of the precursor material prepared in step (a) so as to leave behind a nanoporous material of the polymer matrix; (c) irradiating at least a part of said nanoporous material with light of a wave length of in the range of 250-400 nm (or 200-700 nm) in the presence of oxygen and/or ozone. Corresponding hydrophilic nanoporous materials are also disclosed.

Abstract: According to one embodiment of the present invention, a portion of a light-emitting polymer material or a conductive polymer material can be irradiated with a focused electron beam, so that the physical properties of that portion can be modified. For this purpose, one embodiment of the present invention comprises an apparatus for modifying the physical properties of a nanostructure using a focused electron beam, the apparatus comprising: a nanostructure; a focused electron beam-irradiating unit that serves to irradiate a nanoscale electron beam such that it is focused on the nanostructure; and a focused electron beam-controlling unit that serves to control the irradiation position of the nanoscale electron beam so as to modify the physical property of a portion of the nanostructure.

Abstract: Nanosized filamentary carbon structures (CNTs) nucleating over a catalyzed surface may be grown in an up-right direction reaching a second surface, spaced from the first surface, without the need of applying any external voltage source bias. The growth process may be inherently self-stopping, upon reaching a significant population of grown CNTs on the second surface. A gap between the two surfaces may be defined for CNT devices being simultaneously fabricated by common integrated circuit integration techniques. The process includes finding that for separation gaps of up to a hundred or more nanometers, a difference between the respective work functions of the materials delimiting the gap space, for example, different metallic materials or a doped semiconductor of different dopant concentration or type, may produce an electric field intensity orienting the growth of nucleated CNTs from the surface of one of the materials toward the surface of the other material.