Intellectual Property Law

US Patent 7727414 - Heat transfer fluid using carbon nanocapsules

Posted on June 07, 2010
http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7727414.htmlThe increasing popularity of mini-notebooks and other portable computing devices require more processing in a smaller space resulting in a need for higher efficiency cooling solutions. This patent from Industrial Technology Research Institute teaches a carbon nanocapsule fluidic cooling solution...

US Patent 7723729 - Silicon nanowire buffer layer

Posted on May 28, 2010
http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7723729.htmlGallium nitride (GaN) is a semiconductor material having applicability in fabrication of blue LEDs and lasers. However, a problem with forming GaN on silicon is thermal and lattice mismatch which usually requires complicated buffering materials or extra fabrication process steps...

US Patent 7723684 - SWCNT infrared detector

Posted on May 28, 2010
http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7723684.htmlAlthough this is not the first patent for a CNT infrared detector (see US 6400088) it teaches a variation capable of counting individual photons having energies of around 1 eV. Claim 1 reads:1. An infrared (IR) detector, comprising:a sensor element comprising a thin film of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) suspended between electrical contacts...

US Patent 7723223 - Method of doping CNT transistor

Posted on May 28, 2010
http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7723223.htmlControlled doping of semiconductor material with foreign atoms is a necessary process to manufacture transistors with predictable characteristics. This patent from Samsung teaches a method of such controlled doping for field effect transistors formed using carbon nanotube channels...

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US Patent 7723100 - Polymer coated SERS nanotag

Posted on May 27, 2010
http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7723100.htmlThis patent from Becton, Dickenson and Co. teaches glass coated metal nanoparticles having improved biocompatibility in biological systems over quantum dot nanotags. Claim 1 reads:1. A coated nanotag comprising:a SERS-active nanotag; anda polymer coating completely covering the SERS active nanotag,wherein the SERS-active nanotag comprises: a core comprising one or more nanoparticles, a Raman-active molecule attached to or associated with the core, and an encapsulant...

US Patent 7722787 - Metal vanadium oxide nanoparticles

Posted on May 27, 2010
http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7722787.htmlThis patent from Greatbatch Ltd. has relatively early priority (2/5/1999) and includes some basic claims to metal vanadium oxide nanoparticles used in forming the anodes of lithium ion batteries. Claim 1 reads:1...

US Patent 7721347 - Nanotube characterization using RF scanning probe

Posted on May 27, 2010
http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7721347.htmlRF Nano is a company focusing on developing CMOS compatible carbon nanotubes for applications in radio frequency, analog, and mixed signal electronics. This patent discloses a scanning probe device used to characterize the physical and electrical properties of nanotubes...

US Patent 7721242 - Nanotube circuit analysis software

Posted on May 26, 2010
http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7721242.htmlThis patent from Intellectual Ventures teaches a software-based system for taking a template of carbon nanotubes and selectively removing portions to create useful circuit connections. Claim 1 reads:1. A method of editing a carbon nanotube (CNT) template structure, comprising:accessing via a processor a model representative of the carbon nanotube (CNT) template structure, the model representative of the CNT template structure including representations of a plurality of junctions interconnected by CNT segments, wherein each segment and junction has an associated electrical behavior;identifying at least one first proposed editing step selected from the group consisting of deleting at least one of the CNT segments or junctions; andconnecting two CNT segments, the identified two CNT segments being in physical proximity; anddetermining via a processor a first predicted response of the CNT template structure to an electrical signal if the identified first proposed editing step were performed...

US Patent 7720326 - Nanowire array photodetector

Posted on May 26, 2010
http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7720326.htmlResearchers from HP have found that arrays of nanowires can be used to convert optical signals into photocurrent. This patent teaches a way to apply this finding in developing photonic integrated circuits. Claim 1 reads:1...

US Patent 7719951 - Inclined microtip data recorder

Posted on May 26, 2010
http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7719951.htmlHigh density (i.e. >Terabit/cm2) data storage has been demonstrated using scanning probe tips having individual nanotubes fixed or grown onto a cantilever tip. However, using individual scanning probe tips limits the maximum rate of data reading and writing...

US Patent 7719678 - Non-uniform periodic diameter nanowire

Posted on May 25, 2010
http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7719678.htmlMost often it is desirable to fabricate nanowires having a uniform diameter. However, this patent from researchers at HP teaches that non-uniform diameter nanowires can actually assist in forming optical-to-electrical conversion devices...

US Patent 7719067 - Vertical nanotube switch

Posted on May 25, 2010
http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7719067.htmlNantero has been developing prototypes of a variety of micromechanical switching devices based on carbon nanotubes for almost ten years. Originally the focus was on horizontally oriented nanotube crossbar fabrics but in order to increase manufacturing yield vertically oriented nanotubes may be preferable...

US Patent 7719032 - MWCNT transistor

Posted on May 25, 2010
http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7719032.htmlMultiwall carbon nanotubes tend to have metallic rather than semiconductor electronic properties and thus have conventionally been considered inappropriate to form transistor channels. However, this patent from Sony teaches a way to use the inner carbon shell as the electrode contact and the outer carbon shell as a semiconductor channel which may allow multiwall carbon nanotube transistors (although mass production could be problematic)...

US Patent 7718995 - Particle coated nanowire

Posted on May 25, 2010
http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7718995.html In order to enhance the surface area and sensitivity of nanowire-based sensors this patent from Panasonic teaches techniques to form semiconductor nanoparticles on the surface of a semiconductor nanowire...

US Patent 7714798 - CNT yarn antenna

Posted on May 16, 2010
http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7714798.htmlThis patent from Nanocomp Technologies teaches how to use carbon nanotube yarn to construct antennas which minimize signal distortion. Claim 1 reads:1. An antenna comprising:a body portion;an aggregate of extended length nanotubes along the body portion; anda plurality of contact points between adjacent nanotubes to permit transmission of electromagnetic radiation while reducing resistivity at a high frequency...

US Patent 7714577 - CNT RF coil for MRI

Posted on May 16, 2010
http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7714577.htmlIn order to improve the signal-to-noise ratio of magnetic resonance imaging coils this patent form Tursiop Technologies teaches using carbon nanotubes as the coil material. Claim 1 reads: 1. A magnetic resonance imaging system having an enhanced signal-to-noise ratio, the system comprising:a magnet system for providing a static magnetic field having a low magnetic field strength; andat least one RF receiving coil assembly including: a coiled electrical conducting element consisting essentially of carbon nanotube material; and RF receiving circuitry having a large quality factor.

US Patent 7714330 - Silicon nanowire on insulator substrate

Posted on May 13, 2010
http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7714330.htmlSilicon-on-insulator (SOI) technology has been advantageous over bulk silicon in the fabrication of transistors in order to avoid parasitic electrical effects while facilitating scaling. However, SOI uses amorphous silicon or polysilicon which has a lower mobility compared to crystalline bulk silicon resulting in a lower speed operation...

US Patent 7714317 - Semiconductor nanomaterial with carbon shell

Posted on May 13, 2010
http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7714317.htmlThis patent from Brookhaven Science Associates teaches using carbon coating to avoid oxidation of Ge and GaN nanowires. Claim 1 reads:1. An encapsulated semiconducting nanomaterial comprising:a semiconducting nanomaterial having a diameter and a surface, the diameter of the semiconducting nanomaterial having a magnitude between about 1 nm and about 100 nm;an encapsulant, the encapsulant enclosing the semiconducting nanomaterial and comprising an ordered carbon shell; andan interface between the ordered carbon shell and the semiconducting nanomaterial, the interface decorated with islands of metal...

US Patent 7713753 - Duel-level self-assembled patterning

Posted on May 13, 2010
http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7713753.htmlBlock copolymers have been shown to self-assemble into periodic nanoscale patterns when deposited onto a substrate which can be useful to maskless lithography. This patent from Seagate Technology teaches a multi-layer self-assembly method with block copolymers...

US Patent 7713589 - Improved CVD nanotube fabrication

Posted on May 12, 2010
http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7713589.htmlChemical vapor deposition is a technique used to grow carbon nanotubes from catalytic particles by exposing the catalysts to hydrocarbon gases at high temperatures. This patent from Hon Hai Precision teaches a way to lower the temperature of CVD nanotube growth while improving the speed and yield of growth...

US Patent 7713508 - Thiation of carbon nanotube

Posted on May 12, 2010
http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7713508.htmlThis patent from Arrowhead Center teaches a new method for functionalizing carbon nanotubes to increase interfacial binding in composites. Claim 1 reads:1. A method of functionalizing at least one nanotube comprising:carboxylizing the at least one nanotube;reacting the at least one nanotube with a catalyst;activating at least one carboxylic functional group on the at least one nanotube for nucleophilic attack; andthiolating at least one hydroxyl and carbonyl functional group thereby thiolating the at least one nanotube...

US Patent 7712512 - Manufacturing metal/nanocarbon composite

Posted on May 12, 2010
http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7712512.htmlCarbon nanostructures have the potential to improve the strength and thermal properties of metal alloys but can be difficult to evenly distribute within a metal matrix. This patent from Nissei Plastic Industrial Co...

US Patent 7710709 - CNT coated capacitor electrodes

Posted on May 11, 2010
http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7710709.htmlThis patent from Intel teaches the use of carbon nanotubes in forming electrodes for a capacitor which produces a large capacitance with lower thermal mismatch to organic substrates than ceramic capacitors...

US Patent 7711213 - Nanowire array optical modulator

Posted on May 11, 2010
http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7711213.htmlThis patent from HP teaches an optical modulator for photonic integrated circuits in which semiconductor nanowires act as the modulator. Claim 1 reads:1. A modulator comprising:a waveguide configured to transmit one or more channels of electromagnetic radiation;a first terminal and a second terminal the first terminal and the second terminal positioned on opposite sides of the waveguide; anda number of nanowires, wherein the nanowires are randomly spaced and randomly oriented and each nanowire interconnects the first terminal to the second terminal, a portion of each nanowire is operatively coupled to the waveguide, and wherein the nanowires are configured to modulate the one or more channels when an electrical signal is applied to the first and second terminals, the electrical signal causing electro-absorption of the one or more channels at the nanowires.

US Patent 7710649 - CNT optical polarizer

Posted on May 09, 2010
http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7710649.htmlThis patent is from Hon Hai Precision and teaches the fabrication of carbon nanotube films used as optical polarizers for LCDs. Claim 1 reads:1. An optical polarizer, comprising:a supporting member; anda polarizing film supported by the supporting member, the polarizing film comprises a plurality of layers of carbon nanotube films stacked on each other, and the layers of carbon nanotube films are secured to one another by van de Waals attractive force, each carbon nanotube film being comprised of a plurality of carbon nanotubes, the carbon nanotubes in a given carbon nanotube film all being aligned in a same direction...

US Patent 7710635 - MEMS hinge memory mitigation

Posted on May 09, 2010
http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7710635.htmlHinge memory is a problem for microelectromechanical devices which spend a vast majority of time in a single position resulting in an inability to change position. This patent from Texas Instruments provides movement to hinged MEMS devices during inactive periods to avoid this problem...

US Patent 7710235 - Spiral nanocoil inductor

Posted on May 09, 2010
http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7710235.htmlThis patent from Northrop Grumman teaches the manufacture of inductive microstructures fabricated from silicon nitride/silicon nanocoils and applied to RF-MEMS. Claim 6 reads: 6. An inductor comprising:a spiral nanocoil tube with a plurality of spiral coils adjacent to each other, in which the spiral coils have a substantially constant pitch, the spiral nanocoil tube defines an air core, and the spiral nanocoil tube is fabricated from material providing inductance when a current is applied to the spiral nanocoil tube;wherein the nanocoil tube has a radius of approximately 7 microns.

US Patent 7709923 - Metal-base nanowire transistor

Posted on May 06, 2010
http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7709923.htmlSeveral decades ago metal-base transistors were proposes as a replacement for the purely semiconductor bipolar transistors. This patent from NXP Semiconductor attempts to introduce a nanowire version of the metal base transistor to achieve higher speed switching...

US Patent 7709127 - Nanocatalytic recharging composition

Posted on May 06, 2010
http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7709127.htmlQuantumSphere is a company dedicated to enabling breakthrough performance in portable power and clean-technology. This is one of their patents focusing on a portable cartridge for refueling fuel cells. Claim 1 reads:1...

US Patent 7709103 - Axial heterostructure nanophosphor

Posted on May 06, 2010
http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7709103.htmlThis patent from Sharp teaches nitride-based semiconductor nanophosphors which are noted to be easier to disperse and provide higher luminous efficiency than other nanophosphors. Claim 1 reads:1. A phosphor formed of a columnar crystal having a diameter of at most 3 nm, wherein a light emitting region and a light absorbing region are defined in the columnar crystal, and said light emitting region and the light absorbing region are adjacent to each other along a longitudinal direction of said columnar crystal.

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