Intellectual Property Law

US Patent 7352559 - CNT field emitter using conduction enhancing gas medium

Posted on April 03, 2008
http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7352559.htmlThis patent has priority going back to 3/21/2002 and teaches a carbon nanotube field emission device using a gas medium such as argon, neon, xenon, or radon for enhanced lighting. Claim 1 reads:1. A carbon nanotube electrical device comprising: a) a cathode coated with carbon nanotubes and configured for emitting electrons; b) an anode placed in an electrically conductive relationship with the cathode, such that there is a space between the cathode and the anode; and c) a gas medium placed in the space which participates in the transfer of electrons across the space...

US Patent 7352007 - Phosphorescent nanotube memory

Posted on April 02, 2008
http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7352007.htmlThis patent from Micron Tech. teaches a new type of optical memory using nanotubes which is proposed as a potential replacement for DRAM. Claim 1 reads:1. A memory die, comprising: a semiconductor substrate supporting a memory cell array, the memory cell array comprising: a plurality of memory cells, each memory cell further comprising: a pixel capable of emitting and receiving light, and a material localized over the pixel, the material having nanotubes formed therein, the nanotubes having phosphorescent material, wherein the phosphorescent material receives light from and emits light to the pixel; and circuitry connecting the plurality of memory cells to the semiconductor substrate.

US Patent 7351907 - Photovoltaic nanoparticles for powering flexible display

Posted on April 02, 2008
http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7351907.htmlThis patent from Konarka Technologies teaches an interesting solar powered flexible display device taught to be useful for store shelfs of supermarkets. Claim 1 reads:1. A flexible display apparatus comprising: a flexible base; at least one flexible photovoltaic cell disposed upon the flexible base; and a display element disposed upon the flexible base and operably connected to the at least one flexible photovoltaic cell, wherein the at least one flexible photovoltaic cell comprises a photosensitized nanoparticle material and a polymeric linking that convalently interconnects the photosensitized nanoparticle material.

US Patent 7351601 - Fabrication of nanocavity laser

Posted on April 01, 2008
http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7351601.htmlThis method of solid state laser fabrication teaches optically trapping a quantum dot bead in the laser cavity to provide optical gain for the laser. Claim 1 reads:1. A method of fabricating a nanocavity laser, said method comprising:pumping a laser cavity that supports an optical mode having an optical field concentrated in a region of said laser cavity; andoptically trapping a light emitter in said region of said laser cavity, the light emitter configured to provide optical gain for said laser cavity.

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US Patent 7350397 - Porous cavity for nanoparticle detection

Posted on April 01, 2008
http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7350397.htmlThis patent teaches a device for detecting carbon nanoparticles in exhaust gas using a porous insulating film such as porous aluminum oxide. Claim 1 reads:1. Device for detecting the amount or concentration of solid particles of nanometric or sub-micrometric size in a gas medium, in particular particulate matter in the exhaust gas of an internal combustion engine, comprising:a structure for the deposit of solid particles present in the gas medium, at least a first and a second electrode associated to said structure, andmeans for measuring an electric quantity between the first and second electrodes, wherein a plurality of cavities is defined in said structure, which act as collectors of solid particles present in the gas medium, the structure being arranged so as to enable collection of said particles inside said cavities, and wherein said structure comprises a porous body made of an electrically insulating material, the pores of said body constituting at least part of said cavities.

US Patent 7349085 - Detecting CNT orientation using lasers

Posted on March 26, 2008
http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7349085.htmlIn order to properly characterize a carbon nanotube it is helpful to actually know the orientation of the nanotube. This patent from Intel teaches a method of doing this using dual laser beams. Claim 1 reads:1...

US Patent 7348274 - CNT alignment using intaglio mold

Posted on March 26, 2008
http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7348274.htmlThis patent from Samsung teaches an imprinting method used to align carbon nanotubes for a field emission display. Claim 1 reads:1. A method of aligning carbon nanotubes, comprising: preparing a mold having an intaglio pattern; coating an aqueous solution containing an amphiphilic organic material and the carbon nanotubes on a surface of a substrate; positioning the mold on the substrate surface to cause the aqueous solution to flow into the intaglio pattern due to a capillary force; and removing the mold from the substrate surface to vertically align the carbon nanotubes on the substrate surface.

US Patent 7348026 - Nanoparticle drug delivery for treating liver cancer

Posted on March 25, 2008
http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7348026.htmlThis patent teaches a nanoparticle drug delivery system designed to target liver cancers. Claim 1 reads:1. A pharmaceutical composition of nanoparticles for treating liver cancer in a patient, said nanoparticles comprising ?-PGA-PLA block copolymers that are conjugated with galactosamine.

US Patent 7347085 - Optical resonator and cantilever probe for nanoscale displacement detection

Posted on March 25, 2008
http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7347085.htmlAtomic force microscopes usually include a cantilever with a probe tip in which laser light is reflected from the cantilever to detect nanoscale displacements of the cantilever. This patent from Agilient Technologies teaches an alternative approach using structural mating features between the cantilever and an optical resonator...

Nanotechnology Law & Business Blog

Posted on March 24, 2008
A new nanotechnology blog (nanoREV) was recently created by Nanotechnology Law & Business providing running commentary on legal and business developments pertinent to nanotechnology. I'll be providing commentary on patent issues for the blog going a little bit more in depth than I do here while pointing out some of the more fundamental nanotech...

US Patent 7345805 - Integration of MEMS micromirrors with MEMS switches

Posted on March 24, 2008
http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7345805.htmlThis patent from Iridigm Display (which was acquired by Qualcomm in 2004) is basic to displays using micromirrors which can switch between reflective and opaque states depending on interference patterns created by the micromirrors...

US Patent 7345307 - Nanowire array FET

Posted on March 24, 2008
http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7345307.htmlThis patent from Nanosys teaches a conductive polymer transistor formed using nanowires. Claim 1 reads:1. A transistor device comprising:a. a substrate;b. a conductive polymer layer deposited on said substrate, said conductive polymer layer including a plurality of nanowires at a sufficient density of nanowires to achieve an operational current level, wherein said plurality of nanowires are oriented substantially parallel to their long axis;c...

US Patent 7344832 - Nanoarrays formed on probe tip

Posted on March 20, 2008
http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7344832.htmlMicroarrays are specially designed supports for facilitating bioanalysis such as by using antibody-antigen attraction. The formation of such microarrays usually requires inkjet printing or other processes that have limited resolution making the formation of comparable "nanoarrays" difficult...

US Patent 7344756 - Dip pen nanolithography with patterned probe tip

Posted on March 20, 2008
http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7344756.htmlThis is a fairly basic patent from Chad Mirkin, one of the founders of NanoInk (priority 5/16/2003) on scanning probe lithography using chemical or biological "ink" materials patterned on a probe tip for a contact printing process...

US Patent 7344725 - Inorganic nanoparticles for stabilizing hydrogen peroxide

Posted on March 19, 2008
http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7344725.htmlThis patent is based on the discovery that inorganic nanoparticles helps stabilize hydrogen peroxide. Claim 1 reads:1. In an aqueous hydrogen peroxide solution that is suitable for disinfecting contact lenses and, has a pH in the range of 6...

US Patent 7344691 - Manipulating carbon nanotubes with solid organic material

Posted on March 19, 2008
http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7344691.htmlIn order to create a variety of new single walled nanotube (SWNT) chemistries it is useful to cut SWNTs into smaller segments. Techniques exist to perform such cutting using abrasive materials but it can then be difficult to separate the abrasive material from the SWNTs...

US Patent 7344617 - Nanofiber velcro

Posted on March 18, 2008
http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7344617.htmlA patent was issued a while ago for nanotube based velcro. This patent from Nanosys teaches a similar system using silicon or silicon oxide as nanomaterials to produce a velcro effect on the nanoscale. Claim 1 reads:1...

US Patent 7344491 - Magnetically responsive nanoparticles for hearing aid

Posted on March 18, 2008
http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7344491.htmlNanobiomagnetics is a company devoted to using magnetic nanoparticles for targeted therapeutic delivery. This patent discloses magnetic nanoparticles used as a component of a hearing aid. Claim 1 reads:1. A method for affecting a function of a mammalian ear, the method comprising: moving at least a single-domain magnetically responsive nanoparticle into a cell of the ear using a controllable first magnetic field; supporting the nanoparticle in the ear of the mammal; and transmitting a second magnetic field to move the nanoparticle.

US Patent 7342656 - Enhanced raman spectroscopy using adjustable nanoparticle distance

Posted on March 17, 2008
http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7342656.htmlRaman spectroscopy uses energy shifts from reflected monochromatic (laser) light to characterize various materials and when combined with silver and gold nanoparticle colloids for the specimen can produce highly sensitive results for individual molecule detection in what is called Nano-enhanced raman spectroscopy (NERS)...

US Patent 7342479 - CNT resistance sensor

Posted on March 17, 2008
http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7342479.htmlThis patent from Eikos includes some broad claims to a carbon nanotube resistance sensor. Claim 1 reads:1. A chemically sensitive resistor comprising: a resistive region comprising carbon nanotubes; and a conducting electrode on a side of the resistive region, wherein the resistor measures a change in resistance of the carbon nanotubes from a known baseline resistance upon exposure to an analyte...

US Patent 7342413 - Scanning tip electrical connector for nanowire crossbar circuit

Posted on March 14, 2008
http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7342413.htmlOne of the difficulties in reading or writing data to nanowire-based electronics is that it is difficult to address individual nanowires having diameters on the order of 10 nm with conventional electronics having wiring diameters in the micrometer range...

US Patent 7342403 - CNT IC test probe

Posted on March 14, 2008
http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7342403.htmlDue to their high aspect ratios nanowires and nanotubes are popular choices for the tips of scanning probes microscopes used to inspect matter on a molecular or atomic level. This patent from Hon Hai is a variation of this idea and teaches nanotubes directly grown from a cantilever probe (not using a scanning probe tip) for testing the functionality of ICs...

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7342311.htmlThis

Posted on March 14, 2008
http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7342311.htmlThis patent from Lawrence Livermore National Security teaches a "peel and stick" MEMS sensor which can be attached to a spherical silicone body (such as a safety airbag for an automobile). Claim 1 reads:1. An electronic apparatus, comprising: a spherical silicone body, and at least one electronic unit operatively connected inside said spherical silicone body, wherein said at least one electronic unit comprises a MicroElectroMechanical System (MEMS) sensor.

US Patent 7342277 - CNTFET with quantum dot gate

Posted on March 13, 2008
http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7342277.htmlThere are a variety of proposals for carbon nanotube channels for FETs as well as proposals for using semiconductor nanocrystals (quantum dots) to achieve floating gates in memory design. this patent from Intel teaches combining both concepts by providing a transistor design using both carbon nanotube channel and quantum dots...

US Patent 7342179 - Metallic nanoparticle bonding layer

Posted on March 13, 2008
http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7342179.htmlThis patent from Seiko Epson (priority 1/14/2004) includes some basic claims to using fused nanoparticles as a bonding material. Claim 1 reads:1. An electronic device comprising: two components; a receiving layer on at least one of the two components, the receiving layer including at least one of conductive particles and conductive fibers; and metallic nanoparticles on the receiving layer and bonding the two components together; wherein at least some of the nanoparticles are bonded together and closely contacted with the receiving layer by fusing.

US Patent 7341774 - High efficiency electronics/optoelectronics using nanostructured porous material

Posted on March 13, 2008
http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7341774.htmlThe large surface-to-volume provided by nanostructured materials allows for a high degree of electric charge accumulation which can be very valuable in applications such as supercapacitors and photovoltaics...

USPTO Nanotechnology Customer Partnership Meeting 2008

Posted on March 12, 2008
The U.S. Patent Office is holding their annual Nanotech. meeting on April 22.More info. can be obtained here.

US Patent 7341756 - Metal/bone integration using hydroxyapatite nanoparticles

Posted on March 12, 2008
http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7341756.htmlMedical implants often fail because of failure to integrate artificial components with natural bone. This patent teaches using nanoparticles based on an inorganic mineral found in bone as a fusing agent. Claim 1 reads:1...

US Patent 7341734 - Skin or hair care products formed using semiconductor nanocrystals

Posted on March 12, 2008
http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7341734.htmlThere is some controversy over the use of nanostructured material in products designed to interact with bioorganisms. However, there are a large variety of such products available such as sunscreens and cosmetics...

US Patent 7341651 - Atomic nanofluidics

Posted on March 12, 2008
http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7341651.htmlElectrophoresis is a well known phenomena of microfluidics in which dispersed particles are moved in microchannels using electrostatic forces. This patent from the University of California teaches an analogous nanoscale system using a carbon nanotube as the channel and atoms as the particles under electrostatic transport which can potentially be used in a nanofluidic delivery system...

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