Intellectual Property Law

US Patent 7329902 - IR light emitter using SWNTs

Posted on February 14, 2008
http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7329902.htmlThis patent from STMicroelectronics discloses a new IR LED using single walled carbon nanotubes as an active component. Claim 1 reads:1. A light-emitting device including: a thin insulating dielectric film including semiconducting single walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs), the thin insulating dielectric film being a part of a p-insulator or a Si-n nanojunction; wherein the thin insulating dielectric film is Si or a SiO2; and a p-doped silicon electrode and an n-doped silicon electrode that delimit the thin insulating dielectric film including said SWNTs.

US Patent 7329555 - Selective interconnection to MEMS device during fabrication

Posted on February 14, 2008
http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7329555.htmlIntegration of the fabrication processes for CMOS and MEMS can allow for an increase in economies of scale and a reduction in overall device sizes. However, the chip area necessary for control circuits is often much less than the chip area required for the MEMS portions leading to a size mismatch during integration that wastes chip area...

US Patent 7329369 - Semiconductor nanoparticle including electrostatically bound polymer

Posted on February 13, 2008
US Patent 7329369This patent from Hitachi (priority 1/6/2005) includes some broad claims to functionalized semiconductor nanoparticles for luminescence applications. Claim 1 reads:1. A semiconductor nanoparticle with electron-releasing groups arranged on the surface thereof, which is modified with a functional group-containing polymer that electrostatically binds to the surface of said semiconductor nanoparticle...

US Patent 7329301 - Silver nanoparticle composite

Posted on February 13, 2008
http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7329301.htmlThis patent from Kodak teaches a manufacturing method for a silver colloidal composition that can be performed at relatively lower temperatures (

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US Patent 7328851 - Quantum dot color coding

Posted on February 12, 2008
US Patent 7328851This patent from Xerox (priority 10/31/2006) includes some broad claims focusing on quantum dots to achieve a multicolor fluorescent glyph for marking items. Claim 1 reads:1. Machine readable code comprising a set of distinguishable symbols including at least a first symbol for encoding zeroes and a second symbol for encoding ones, wherein the first symbol exhibits a first color during machine reading and the second symbol exhibits a second color during machine reading, wherein the first color and the second color are recognized as different by the machine under machine reading conditions, wherein the first color and the second color are provided by fluorescent marking materials including quantum nanoparticles...

US Patent 7328604 - Combined MEMS fluid quality sensor

Posted on February 12, 2008
US Patent 7328604This patent from Teledyne Technologies teaches the integration of a MEMS viscosity sensor with other sensor components such as a temperature sensor, electrochemical sensor, accelerometer, or lubication sensor to determine the quality of engine oil or hydraulic fluid...

US Patent 7327000 - Patterned thin film graphite

Posted on February 11, 2008
http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7327000.htmlThis patent (priority 6/12/2003) includes some broad claims to a patterned thin film graphite layer on silicon which can be used in field emission display and other applications. Claim 1 reads:1. A functional structure, comprising: a...

US Patent 7326633 - Anisotropic conductive film including metal filled nanotubes

Posted on February 11, 2008
http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7326633.htmlAnisotropic conducting films are useful for bonding semiconductor pins to a circuit board or as an epoxy in LCD manufacture. However, these films generally contain microparticles which limits the effectiveness as scales are reduced to sub-micron dimensions...

US Patent 7326605 - Conversion of metallic CNTs to semiconducting CNTs using hydrogen doping

Posted on February 07, 2008
http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7326605.htmlSingle wall carbon nanotubes have metallic or semiconducting properties depending on the diameter of the tubes and the arrangement of the carbon lattice with respect to the length of the tubes. Several techniques such as DNA wrapping have been proposed to sort between these two types...

US Patent 7326380 - Polymerization by dip pen nanolithography

Posted on February 07, 2008
http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7326380.htmlThis patent teaches a method for polymerization of the nanoscale using the dip pen nanolithography system developed by Nanoink. Claim 1 reads:1. A method of direct-write nanolithography comprising: a) patterning at least one first nanostructure of a polymerizable compound on a substrate; wherein the patterning is carried out with use of a tip to transport the polymerizable compound to the substrate; and wherein the patterning is a patterning of a plurality of nanostructures which are separated from each other by an average edge-to-edge distance of about a micron or less; b) adding polymerization catalyst to the nanostructure of polymerizable compound to form a second nanostructure which can initiate the polymerization reaction; and c) polymerizing monomer on the second nanostructure to form a third polymeric nanostructure; wherein the first nanostructure, the second nanostructure, and the third nanostructure have a lateral feature which is about 100 nm or less.

US Patent 7326368 - Toxicity reduction of liquid metal using nanoparticles

Posted on February 06, 2008
http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7326368.htmlThis patent from Japan Nuclear Cycle Development Institute discloses the use of nanoparticles to reduce reactivity and enhance flow resistance of liquid metals used in coolants for nuclear reactors. Claims 1 and 5 reads:1...

US Patent 7326365 - Nanocrystal composite temperature sensor

Posted on February 06, 2008
http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7326365.htmlThis patent from M.I.T. (priority 2/9/2001) includes some very basic claims to semiconductor nanocrystal composites which are disclosed as useful as temperature sensing materials. Claims 3 and 12 read:3. A method of making a composite, comprising: providing a semiconductor nanocrystal including a first compound on an outer surface of the nanocrystal, wherein the compound includes a reactive moiety; and reacting the first compound with a second compound to form an inorganic matrix...

US Patent 7326328 - Nanorod field emitter formed in AAO template

Posted on February 05, 2008
http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7326328.htmlThis patent from GE discloses a method for making a nanorod field emitter array using an AAO template formed in a mesa structure (note: nanorods are typically larger diameter nanowires with smaller aspect ratios)...

US Patent 7326293 - Multiple atomic layer patterning

Posted on February 05, 2008
http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7326293.htmlThis patent from Zyvex teaches an multilayer patterning procedure using atoms, molecules, or nanoscale particles as the building blocks and naoimprint stamps or scanning probe tips as the fabrication tools...

US Patent 7323815 - Nanoporous AAO template for LED

Posted on February 04, 2008
http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7323815.htmlNanoporous anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) templates are a structure that is very important for the creation of parallel arrays of nanowires or nanotubes. This patent from an Italian company claims a light emissive device formed from electroluminescent material placed in an AAO template to produce a cheaper easier to manufacture light source...

US Patent 7323730 - Semiconductor nanowire or nanotube functionalized with photosensitive material

Posted on February 04, 2008
http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7323730.htmlMuch of the research in functionalization of carbon nanotubes has been applied to chemical sensing. This patent from France's Atomic Energy Commision also teaches functionalization of carbon nanotubes (or nanowires) but for optical rather than chemical sensing...

US Patent 7323635 - Flexible photovoltaic cell including semiconductor nanoparticles

Posted on February 04, 2008
http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7323432.htmlThis patent from the University of Massachusetts (and co-owned by the Dept. of Defense) teaches a photovoltaic cell which can be manufactured at reduced temperature so that the cells can be formed on alternative substrates (such as a flexible plastic sheet)...

US Patent 7323432 - Auto exhaust purification using nanofilament array

Posted on January 31, 2008
http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7323432.htmlThis patent from Denso is at the intersection of nanotech and cleantech and includes some basic claims to nanofilaments for purifying automobile exhaust gas. Claim 1 reads:1. An automobile exhaust gas purifying device comprising a catalyst assembly comprising a substrate, nanofilaments which have a nanometer-size diameter and are formed on the substrate, and particles which have a nanometer-size diameter of not more than approximately 100 nanometers, at least one of the nanofilaments and the particles having a catalytic function; wherein the nanofilaments extend from a surface of the substrate; and the particles are supported on the nanofilament.

US Patent 7323387 - Sub-25 nm fabrication using side walls

Posted on January 31, 2008
http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7323387.htmlForming lateral dimensions below 25 nm on a semiconductor substrate is a difficult problem for conventional mask based lithography. However, creating a thin film with a thickness below 25 nm is much easier using physical or chemical deposition processes...

US Patent 7323246 - Carbon nanohorn aggregate

Posted on January 31, 2008
http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7323246.htmlThis patent from Sumio Iijima (often credited as the discoverer of carbon nanotubes) focuses on related carbon nanohorn structures which may have improved electron emission properties due to the tip arrangement...

US Patent 7323218 - Composite nanofiber fabrication using nanoporous template

Posted on January 30, 2008
http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7323218.htmlThis patent discloses an interesting technique for forming composite core/cladding nanofibers useful for lithium batteries using a nanoporous template such as AAO. Claim 1 reads:1. A method for fabricating composite nanofibers, comprising the steps of: forming a plurality of tubular first nanofibers in a plurality of nano-scale pores of a template; placing the template on a conductive current collector; forming a plurality of second nanofibers on inner surfaces of the first nanofibers; and removing the template and obtaining a plurality of composite nanofibers.

US Patent 7323190 - Nanofiber matrix for stem cell delivery

Posted on January 30, 2008
http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7323190.htmlThis patent from the State University of New York discloses a system to deliver viable stem cells to treat defective tissue including a nanofiber matrix. Claim 1 reads:1. A cell delivery system comprising a biodegradable and/or bioabsorbable fibrous matrix containing at least about 20 weight percent of fibers having fiber diameters in the range of about 10 up to about 1000 nanometers of a biodegradable and/or bioabsorbable fiberizable material, and viable cells physically associated with said matrix as a carrier whereby said cells are contained and released at a controlled rate.

US Patent 7323136 - Fullerene dispersion using levitation

Posted on January 30, 2008
http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7323136.htmlOne of the major roadblocks to using carbon nanotubes as strengthening material for metal composites is the agglomeration or clumping resulting in a poor distribution of the nanotubes. This patent from Rice University claims a method for forming a composite with a uniform distribution of carbon nanotubes or other fullerenes by using acoustic or electromagnetic levitation techniques...

US Patent 7323033 - Variable permeability surface using nanoposts

Posted on January 29, 2008
http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7323033.htmlThis patent from Lucent teaches using nanoposts to maintain a fluid separated from a porous membrane. Application of a voltage can be used to control the surface tension of the fluid and create a variable permeability membrane...

US Patent 7322622 - Silicon nanogrippers

Posted on January 29, 2008
http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7322622.htmlNanotweezers have been developed by Daiken Chemical of Japan as a molecular positioning element using carbon nanotubes as positioning arms. This patent from another Japanese company is along the same lines but uses silicon as the material forming the nanoscale positioning arms...

US Patent 7322267 - Enhanced lightweight armor formed from metallic nanopowder

Posted on January 29, 2008
http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7322267.htmlThis patent discloses an enhanced armor plating for protection against surface-to-air missiles which uses zirconium nanopowder as a component. Claim 1 reads:1. An apparatus for protecting against an explosive warhead, comprising: an arrangement of multiple structural layers that includes a thin metal sheet imprinted on a first side with a network of adjoining hollow pockets, said sheet coated with a layer of metallic nanopowder and said pockets filled with water and anti-freeze and sealed; a coat of potassium bicarbonate powder on a second side opposite the first side of the thin metal sheet; and a composite foam material used to form a matrix with multiple overlapping layers of said thin metal sheet imbedded so that the second side faces toward the surface of a building or vehicle and the first side faces away from the surface of a building or vehicle and arranged so that said layers of metal sheets overlap at an angle relative to the surface of the building or vehicle, said formed matrix referred to as a first foam block.

US Patent 7321714 - Nanoparticle material on IC package

Posted on January 24, 2008
http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7321714.htmlThis patent from ERS Company includes some very basic claims to a moisture resistant seal for integrated circuits formed from nanoparticle material. Claim 1 reads:1. A packaged electronic device, comprising: a substrate with a first surface having an integrated circuit thereon; and a nano-particle material adjacent to the first surface.

US Patent 7321422 - SERS-active structure with nanoscale dimensions

Posted on January 24, 2008
http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7321422.htmlRaman spectroscopy is a popular technique used to characterize and analyze molecules and nanostructures using laser light. This patent from Hewlett-Packard teaches a structure for surface enhanced raman spectroscopy which includes a voltage application structure to study the effects of voltage on molecules which can be useful analyzing molecular structures used in electronics...

US Patent 7321188 - Carbon nanotube yarn light emitter

Posted on January 23, 2008
http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7321188.htmlHon Hai Precision (Foxconn) is probably the dominant source of nanotechnology patents from China. This patent focuses on a light filament formed from carbon nanotube yarn. The last time a patent issued this broadly for a carbon fiber light filament was probably the time of Edison (see US Patent 223,898)...

US PAtent 7321097 - Vertical nanotube electronic component

Posted on January 23, 2008
http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7321097.htmlInfineon already holds several of the basic patents to nanowire FETs (see for example US 6,740,910). This patent expands their hold on nanowire electronics by claiming a basic vertical nanotube electronic device...

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