Search Patents
  • Publication number: 20100227382
    Abstract: Various aspects of the present invention generally relate to nanoscale wire devices and methods for use in determining analytes suspected to be present in a sample, and systems and methods of immobilizing entities such as reaction entities relative to nanoscale wires. In one aspect, a nucleic acid, such as DNA, may be immobilized relative to a nanoscale wire, and in some cases, grown from the nanoscale wire. In certain embodiments, the nucleic acid may interact with entities such as other nucleic acids, proteins, etc., and in some cases, such interactions may be reversible. As an example, an enzyme such as telomerase may be allowed to bind to DNA immobilized relative to a nanoscale wire. The telomerase may extend the length of the DNA, for instance, by reaction with free deoxynucleotide triphosphates in solution; additionally, various properties of the nucleic acid may be determined, for example, using electric field interactions between the nucleic acid and the nanoscale wire.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2006
    Publication date: September 9, 2010
    Applicant: President and Fellows of Harvard College
    Inventors: Charles M. Lieber, Fernando Patolsky, Gengfeng Zheng
  • Publication number: 20100152057
    Abstract: The present invention generally relates to nanoscale wire devices and methods for use in determining analytes suspected to be present in a sample. The invention provides a nanoscale wire that has improved sensitivity, as the carrier concentration in the wire is controlled by an external gate voltage, such that the nanoscale wire has a Debye screening length that is greater than the average cross-sectional dimension of the nanoscale wire when the nanoscale wire is exposed to a solution suspected of containing an analyte. This Debye screening length (lambda) associated with the carrier concentration (p) inside nanoscale wire is adjusted by adjusting the gate voltage applied to an FET structure, such that the carriers in the nanoscale wire are depleted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2007
    Publication date: June 17, 2010
    Applicant: President and Fellows of Havard College
    Inventors: Charles M. Lieber, Xuan Gao, Gengfeng Zheng
  • Publication number: 20100087013
    Abstract: The present invention generally relates to nanotechnology and sub-microelectronic circuitry, as well as associated methods and devices, for example, nanoscale wire devices and methods for use in determining nucleic acids or other analytes suspected to be present in a sample (for example, their presence and/or dynamical information), e.g., at the single molecule level. For example, a nanoscale wire device can be used in some cases to detect single base mismatches within a nucleic acid (e.g., by determining association and/or dissociation rates). In one aspect, dynamical information such as a binding constant, an association rate, and/or a dissociation rate, can be determined between a nucleic acid or other analyte, and a binding partner immobilized relative to a nanoscale wire. In some cases, the nanoscale wire includes a first portion comprising a metal-semiconductor compound, and a second portion that does not include a metal-semiconductor compound.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2007
    Publication date: April 8, 2010
    Applicant: President and Fellows of Harvard College
    Inventors: Charles M. Lieber, Ying Fang, Fernando Patolsky
  • Patent number: 7399691
    Abstract: Electrical devices comprised of nanoscopic wires are described, along with methods of their manufacture and use. The nanoscopic wires can be nanotubes, preferably single-walled carbon nanotubes. They can be arranged in crossbar arrays using chemically patterned surfaces for direction, via chemical vapor deposition. Chemical vapor deposition also can be used to form nanotubes in arrays in the presence of directing electric fields, optionally in combination with self-assembled monolayer patterns. Bistable devices are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2008
    Assignee: President and Fellows of Harvard College
    Inventors: Charles M. Lieber, Thomas Rueckes, Ernesto Joselevich, Kevin Kim
  • Patent number: 7666708
    Abstract: A bulk-doped semiconductor that is at least one of the following: a single crystal, an elongated and bulk-doped semiconductor that, at any point along its longitudinal is, axis, has a largest cross-sectional dimension less than 500 nanometers, and a free-standing and bulk-doped semiconductor with at least one portion having a smallest width of less than 500 nanometers. At least one portion of such a semiconductor may a smallest width of less than 200 nanometers, or less than 150 nanometers, or less than 100 nanometers, or less than 80 nanometers, or less than 70 nanometers, or less than 60 nanometers, or less than 40 nanometers, or less than 20 nanometers, or less than 10 nanometers, or even less an 5 nanometers. Such a semiconductor may be doped during growth. Such a semiconductor may be part of a device, which may include any of a variety of devices and combinations thereof, and a variety assembling techniques may be used to fabricate devices from such a semiconductor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Assignee: President and Fellows of Harvard College
    Inventors: Charles M. Lieber, Yi Cui, Xiangfeng Duan, Yu Huang
  • Patent number: 7211464
    Abstract: A bulk-doped semiconductor that is at least one of the following: a single crystal, an elongated and bulk-doped semiconductor that, at any point along its longitudinal axis, has a largest cross-sectional dimension less than 500 nanometers, and a free-standing and bulk-doped semiconductor with at least one portion having a smallest width of less than 500 nanometers. Such a semiconductor may comprise an interior core comprising a first semiconductor; and an exterior shell comprising a different material than the first semiconductor. Such a semiconductor may be elongated and may have, at any point along a longitudinal section of such a semiconductor, a ratio of the length of the section to a longest width is greater than 4:1, or greater than 10:1, or greater than 100:1, or even greater than 1000:1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2007
    Assignee: President & Fellows of Harvard College
    Inventors: Charles M. Lieber, Yi Cui, Xiangfeng Duan, Yu Huang
  • Publication number: 20110174619
    Abstract: Electrical devices comprised of nanoscopic wires are described, along with methods of their manufacture and use. The nanoscopic wires can be nanotubes, preferably single-walled carbon nanotubes. They can be arranged in crossbar arrays using chemically patterned surfaces for direction, via chemical vapor deposition. Chemical vapor deposition also can be used to form nanotubes in arrays in the presence of directing electric fields, optionally in combination with self-assembled monolayer patterns. Bistable devices are described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2006
    Publication date: July 21, 2011
    Applicant: President and Fellows of Harvard College
    Inventors: Charles M. Lieber, Thomas Rueckes, Ernesto Joselevich, Kevin Kim
  • Publication number: 20100093158
    Abstract: A bulk-doped semiconductor that is at least one of the following: a single crystal, an elongated and bulk-doped semiconductor that, at any point along its longitudinal axis, has a largest cross-sectional dimension less than 500 nanometers, and a free-standing and bulk-doped semiconductor with at least one portion having a smallest width of less than 500 nanometers. Such a semiconductor may comprise an interior core comprising a first semiconductor; and an exterior shell comprising a different material than the first semiconductor. Such a semiconductor may be elongated and may have, at any point along a longitudinal section of such a semiconductor, a ratio of the length of the section to a longest width is greater than 4:1, or greater than 10:1, or greater than 100:1, or even greater than 1000:1.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2006
    Publication date: April 15, 2010
    Applicant: President and fellows of Harvard College
    Inventors: Charles M. Lieber, Yi Cui, Xiangfeng Duan, Yu Huang
  • Patent number: 8153470
    Abstract: A method for selectively aligning and positioning semiconductor nanowires on a substrate by providing a substrate; patterning electrodes on a surface of the substrate; conditioning the surface of the substrate to attach semiconductor nanowires to the surface by functionalizing the surface with a first functional group having an affinity for the semiconductor nanowires; providing an environment in contact with the electrodes, the environment having suspended therein the semiconductor nanowires; and providing an electric field between the electrodes, thereby causing the nanowires in the environment to align between and electrically connect the electrodes to thereby form a semiconducting channel between the electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: President and Fellows of Harvard College
    Inventors: Charles M. Lieber, Yi Cui, Xiangfeng Duan, Yu Huang
  • Patent number: 7476596
    Abstract: A bulk-doped semiconductor that is at least one of the following: a single crystal, an elongated and bulk-doped semiconductor that, at any point along its longitudinal axis, has a largest cross-sectional dimension less than 500 nanometers, and a free-standing and bulk-doped semiconductor with at least one portion having a smallest width of less than 500 nanometers. At least one portion of such a semiconductor may a smallest width of less than 200 nanometers, or less than 150 nanometers, or less than 100 nanometers, or less than 80 nanometers, or less than 70 nanometers, or less than 60 nanometers, or less than 40 nanometers, or less than 20 nanometers, or less than 10 nanometers, or even less than 5 nanometers. Such a semiconductor may be doped during growth. Such a semiconductor may be part of a device, which may include any of a variety of devices and combinations thereof, and a variety of assembling techniques may be used to fabricate devices from such a semiconductor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2009
    Assignee: President and Fellows of Harvard College
    Inventors: Charles M. Lieber, Yi Cui, Xiangfeng Duan, Yu Huang
  • Publication number: 20120329251
    Abstract: A bulk-doped semiconductor that is at least one of the following: a single crystal, an elongated and bulk-doped semiconductor that, at any point along its longitudinal axis, has a largest cross-sectional dimension less than 500 nanometers, and a free-standing and bulk-doped semiconductor with at least one portion having a smallest width of less than 500 nanometers. Such a semiconductor may comprise an interior core comprising a first semiconductor; and an exterior shell comprising a different material than the first semiconductor. Such a semiconductor may be elongated and may have, at any point along a longitudinal section of such a semiconductor, a ratio of the length of the section to a longest width is greater than 4:1, or greater than 10:1, or greater than 100:1, or even greater than 1000:1.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2012
    Publication date: December 27, 2012
    Applicant: President and Fellows of Harvard College
    Inventors: Charles M. Lieber, Yi Cui, Xiangfeng Duan, Jiangtao Hu
  • Patent number: 7956427
    Abstract: Electrical devices comprised of nanowires are described, along with methods of their manufacture and use. The nanowires can be nanotubes and nanowires. The surface of the nanowires may be selectively functionalized. Nanodetector devices are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Assignee: President and Fellows of Harvard College
    Inventors: Charles M. Lieber, Hongkun Park, Qingqiao Wei, Yi Cui, Wenjie Liang
  • Publication number: 20100243990
    Abstract: Electrical devices comprised of nanowires are described, along with methods of their manufacture and use. The nanowires can be nanotubes and nanowires. The surface of the nanowires may be selectively functionalized. Nanodetector devices are described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2010
    Publication date: September 30, 2010
    Applicant: President and Fellows of Harvard College
    Inventors: Charles M. Lieber, Hongkun Park, Qingqiao Wei, Yi Cui, Wenjie Liang
  • Patent number: 7385267
    Abstract: Electrical devices comprised of nanowires are described, along with methods of their manufacture and use. The nanowires can be nanotubes and nanowires. The surface of the nanowires may be selectively functionalized. Nanodetector devices are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2008
    Assignee: President and Fellows of Harvard College
    Inventors: Charles M. Lieber, Hongkun Park, Qingqiao Wei, Yi Cui, Wenji Liang
  • Publication number: 20110001117
    Abstract: The present invention generally relates to nanotechnology and sub-microelectronic devices that can be used in circuitry, and, in particular, to nanoscale wires and other nanostructures able to encode data. One aspect of the present invention is directed to a device comprising an electrical crossbar array comprising at least two crossed wires at a cross point. In some cases, at least one of the crossed wires is a nanoscale wire, and in certain instances, at least one of the crossed wires is a nanoscale wire comprising a core and at least one shell surrounding the core. For instance, the core may comprise a crystal (e.g., crystalline silicon) and the shell may be at least partially amorphous (e.g., amorphous silicon). In certain embodiments, the cross point may exhibit intrinsic current rectification, or other electrical behaviors, and the cross point can be used as a memory device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2009
    Publication date: January 6, 2011
    Applicant: President and Fellows of Harvard College
    Inventors: Charles M. Lieber, Yajie Dong, Wei Lu, Guihua Yu, Michael MeAlphine
  • Patent number: 7129554
    Abstract: Electrical devices comprised of nanoscopic wires are described, along with methods of their manufacture and use. The nanoscopic wires can be nanotubes, preferably single-walled carbon nanotubes. They can be arranged in crossbar arrays using chemically patterned surfaces for direction, via chemical vapor deposition. Chemical vapor deposition also can be used to form nanotubes in arrays in the presence of directing electric fields, optionally in combination with self-assembled monolayer patterns. Bistable devices are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2006
    Assignee: President & Fellows of Harvard College
    Inventors: Charles M. Lieber, Hongkun Park, Qingqiao Wei, Yi Cui, Wenjie Liang
  • Publication number: 20100022012
    Abstract: Electrical devices comprised of nanowires are described, along with methods of their manufacture and use. The nanowires can be nanotubes and nanowires. The surface of the nanowires may be selectively functionalized. Nanodetector devices are described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2009
    Publication date: January 28, 2010
    Applicant: President and Fellows of Harvard College
    Inventors: Charles M. Lieber, Hongkun Park, Qingqiao Wei, Yi Cui, Wenjie Liang
  • Publication number: 20080211040
    Abstract: Electrical devices comprised of nanowires are described, along with methods of their manufacture and use. The nanowires can be nanotubes and nanowires. The surface of the nanowires may be selectively functionalized. Nanodetector devices are described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2008
    Publication date: September 4, 2008
    Applicant: President and fellows of Harvard College
    Inventors: Charles M. Lieber, Hongkun Park, Qingqiao Wei, Yi Cui, Wenjie Liang
  • Patent number: 7911009
    Abstract: Electrical devices comprised of nanowires are described, along with methods of their manufacture and use. The nanowires can be nanotubes and nanowires. The surface of the nanowires may be selectively functionalized. Nanodetector devices are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Assignee: President and Fellows of Harvard College
    Inventors: Charles M. Lieber, Hongkun Park, Qingqiao Wei, Yi Cui, Wenjie Liang
  • Patent number: 7256466
    Abstract: Electrical devices comprised of nanowires are described, along with methods of their manufacture and use. The nanowires can be nanotubes and nanowires. The surface of the nanowires may be selectively functionalized. Nanodetector devices are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2007
    Assignee: President & Fellows of Harvard College
    Inventors: Charles M. Lieber, Hongkun Park, Qingqiao Wei, Yi Cui, Wenjie Liang