Intellectual Property Law

US Patent 7635461 - Composite combustion nanocatalyst

Posted on December 22, 2009
http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7635461.htmlThis patent is from the University of Utah and teaches an ultrafast fuel combustion material based on metallic nanoparticles useful to jet propulsion systems. Claim 1 reads: 1. A composite combustion catalyst particle, comprising:a) a metal core including a combustible metal;b) a metal oxide coating at least partially surrounding the metal core; andc) a catalyst coating at least partially surrounding the metal oxide coating, wherein the composite combustion catalyst particle has a diameter from about 10 nm to about 500 nm...

US Patent 7634162 - CNT de-magnification lens for nanolithography

Posted on December 21, 2009
http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7634162.htmlThis patent from Boston College suggests manufacturing methods to produce nano-optics which extend the resolution of optical lithography. Claim 1 reads:1. A de-magnifying lens for use in a standard photolithography system comprising:a film having a top surface, a bottom surface and a plurality of cylindrical channels containing a dielectric material; andan array of carbon nanotubes penetrating and converging through the film through the plurality of cylindrical channels, wherein an image on the top surface of the film is converted into a de-magnified image on the bottom surface of the film by the carbon nanotubes, wherein each carbon nanotube connects a light-receiving pixel on the top surface of the film with a light-emitting pixel on the bottom surface of the film, and wherein the light-receiving pixels on the top surface of the film are indirectly mapped to the light-emitting pixels on the bottom surface of the film by scrambled wiring through a nano-coaxial transmission line...

US Patent 7633715 - Magnetic recording head with CNT field emitter heating

Posted on December 21, 2009
http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7633715.htmlHeat-assisted magnetic recording is a technology for providing high density data storage using phenomena in which thermal energy assists in switching magnetic domains. This patent from Pioneer Corporation teaches a variation of this type of recording system in which the thermal energy source uses carbon nanotubes which form an electron beam having minimum fluctuation...

US Patent 7633098 - High density addressing architecture

Posted on December 21, 2009
http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7633098.htmlThis patent from HP teaches methodology to fabricate an electronic addressing architecture using nanoimprint lithography and requiring fewer transistors. Claim 1 reads:1. A system comprising:an array of conductive structures having a pitch from about one to about ninety nanometers; anda multiplexing/demultiplexing architecture having address lines and address field-effect transistors (FETs), the address lines in electrical communication with the conductive structures through the address FETs...

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US Patent 7633080 - Nanofabrication via DNA functionalization

Posted on December 17, 2009
http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7633080.htmlThis patent from Intel teaches one method to overcome the limitations of conventional lithography by using DNA in patterning nanomaterials. Claim 1 reads:1. A nano-structure device comprising:an array of functionalized nano-building blocks comprising:an array of columns of functionalized nano-building blocks coupled together, wherein each of the columns of the nano-structure device are positioned in the same pattern and relative location as each electrode of an array of individually addressable electrodes positioned on an assembly platform used to form the nano-structure device...

US Patent 7632762 - Semiconductor nanotube device fabrication

Posted on December 17, 2009
http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7632762.htmlSince at least 2001 the use of high current has been used as in a method of burning off "metallic" carbon nanotubes and leaving semiconductor carbon nanotubes. This patent from Foster-Miller teaches a similar method in which a ramped voltage is used to manufacture semiconductor nanotube devices...

US Patent 7632569 - Fullerene nanotube array

Posted on December 17, 2009
http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7632569.htmlThe late Richard Smalley was a pioneer in developing manufacturing methods for single-walled carbon nanotubes. Many of the nanotube patents emerging from Smalley's group at Rice University have priority going back to the 1990's and were limited in scope to single walled carbon nanotubes...

US Patent 7632563 - Nanocomposites for aircraft windows

Posted on December 16, 2009
http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7632563.htmlThis patent from PPG Industries Ohio teaches a polyurethane nanocomposite providing both high impact resistance and transparency to improve materials used in the construction of fighter aircraft. Claim 1 reads:1...

US Patent 7632482 - Nanopumping using a nanotube

Posted on December 16, 2009
http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7632482.htmlThis patent is based on research supported by the US Dept. of Energy and teaches providing a nanotube of a particular length range to optimize pumping of fluid through the nanotube stimulated at a particular frequency...

US Patent 7632422 - Cut nanotube heat transport medium

Posted on December 16, 2009
http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7632422.htmlThermal conductive fluids may be formed by adding metallic particles to a liquid. This patent from Honda Motor and GSI Creos teaches that using obliquely or axially cut carbon nanotubes as the particles can improve the thermal conduction of such fluids...

US Patent 7630771 - Implantable microtransponder

Posted on December 13, 2009
http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7630771.htmlA variety of implantable medical devices exist to treat neurological disorders but the requirements of external communication and biocompatibility can limit the effectiveness and lifespan of such devices. This patent from MicroTransponder Inc...

US Patent 7630227 - Optical storage molecular memory

Posted on December 13, 2009
http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7630227.htmlThis patent teaches a nanoelectronic version of RAM using optoelectronic molecular materials which may facilitate integration with optical communication networks. Claim 1 reads: 1. A memory device, comprising: an array of memory cells disposed in rows and columns and constructed over a substrate, each memory cell comprising a first signal electrode, a second signal electrode, and a nano-layer disposed in the intersecting region between the first signal electrode and the second signal electrode, each memory cell comprising optical storage molecules; a plurality of word lines each connecting the first signal electrodes of a row of memory cells; and a plurality of bit lines each connecting the second signal electrodes of a column of memory cells.

US Patent 7630040 - LCD with CNT orientation films

Posted on December 13, 2009
http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7630040.htmlLiquid crystal displays typically require alignment layers to orient the electro-optic molecules used to generate the pixels of the display. This patent from Hon Hai Precision teaches a way to use carbon nanotube films for such alignment which may provide simplification in manufacturing...

US Patent 7629994 - Quantum dot motion capture

Posted on December 10, 2009
http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7629994.htmlImage capture technology is becoming more commonly used in computer graphic animation in the last several years. This patent from Sony teaches using quantum dots having sizes tuned to different wavelengths as markers in order to map the movement of more actors and objects during image capture...

US Patent 7629694 - Memristor crosswire circuit interface

Posted on December 10, 2009
http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7629694.htmlThere is an increasing interest in reconfigurable logic and other circuit architectures to achieve a higher flexibility in computing. This patent teaches memristor thin films having programmable resistance characteristics used to interconnect arrays of crosswire grids for electronic devices such as memory arrays, computational devices, and pattern recognition systems...

US Patent 7629639 - Nanocrystal floating gate transistor with nanotube channel

Posted on December 10, 2009
http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7629639.htmlOne of the difficulties in scaling MOS transistors is the inadvertent creation of weak tunnel junctions in the gate oxide which generate current leakage. In order to avoid this problem this patent from Intel uses discrete metallic nanocrystals that reduces the impact of leakage in addition to a carbon nanotube channel which may facilitate reduction in electron scattering so as to increase the channel mobility...

US Patent 7629604 - Nanoemitter field emission switch

Posted on December 09, 2009
http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7629604.htmlWhile vacuum tubes have been replaced by transistors in most computer applications since the 1950's, high power devices still require some field emission switching devices. This patent is from Schlumberger Technology Corporation and teaches one variation of carbon nanotube field emitter switch...

US Patent 7628972 - Shaping nanostructures with ion flux

Posted on December 09, 2009
http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7628972.htmlFocused ion beam processing is a common technique used to shape materials on the nanoscale. This patent from Eloret Corporation teaches a method of bending or aligning carbon nanotubes using a focused ion beam...

US Patent 7628959 - Nanowire hydrogen gas sensor

Posted on December 09, 2009
http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7628959.htmlThis patent from the University of California has some early priority (2001) and includes some basic claims to using metallic nanowire arrays as a hydrogen sensor. Claim 1 reads:1. A hydrogen gas sensor comprising:a first circuit exhibiting an increase in conductivity when exposed to hydrogen gas,wherein the first circuit comprises an array of nanowires,wherein a plurality of nanowires in the array are electrically discontinuous in the absence of hydrogen gas,first and second electrical contacts coupled to the first circuit,a power source coupled to the first and second electrical contacts, anda second circuit coupled to the first circuit for sensing current across the first circuit...

US Patent 7628041 - Carbon fiber alignment via glass drawing

Posted on December 09, 2009
http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7628041.htmlThis patent from Alcatel-Lucent applies the technology used to manufacture fiber optic cable toward the formation of long strands of aligned carbon nanotubes. Claim 1 reads:1. A method for assembling carbon particles into at least one aligned carbon fiber, the method comprising the step of drawing glass containing said carbon particles so as to form at least one carbon fiber from said carbon particles.

US Patent 7626190 - Memristor memory with nanowire transistor

Posted on December 06, 2009
http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7626190.htmlThis patent from Infineon Technologies teaches another variation of memristor (i.e. memory resistor) electronics which uses nanowire transistors with resistive switching material. Claim 1 reads:1. A memory device, comprising:a transistor comprising at least one nanowire or nanotube or nanofibre and a transistor gate region, the nanowire or nanotube or nanofibre being self-aligned with respect to the transistor gate region;wherein the memory device is a resistively switching memory device; andwherein the nanowire or nanotube or nanofibre directly contacts a switching active material of the resistively switching memory device.

US Patent 7625766 - Step wall CNT growth

Posted on December 06, 2009
http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7625766.htmlCVD fabrication of carbon nanotubes on a substrate most often includes the growth of vertically oriented nanotubes from a catalytic particle. This patent from Micron Technology teaches an alternative method based on side wall growth which generates horizontally oriented carbon nanotubes and which may make alignment of CNT devices easier...

US Patent 7625702 - Helical wrapping of CNTs by genomic DNA

Posted on December 06, 2009
http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7625702.htmlDNA wrapping of carbon nanotubes has previously been used to facilitate sorting and dispersion of the nanotubes. However, early methods have been limited by the requirement for repeated base sequences in the DNA...

US Patent 7625545 - Manufacture of CNT tape by arc discharge

Posted on December 02, 2009
http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7625545.htmlThis patent is from JPE Engineering Corp. and teaches a method of creating a high purity carbon nanotube tape using the motion of a cylindrical electrode in an arc discharge process. Claim 1 reads:1. A process for producing carbon nanotubes by arc discharge, wherein a path of the arc discharge is formed along the stream of an inert gas or inert gas-containing mixed gas supplied from an anode to a cathode comprising a carbon material, and simultaneously, the anode and the cathode are relatively moved so as to move a cathode spot of an arc on the cathode.

US Patent 7625530 - Manufacture of isotope-doped CNTs

Posted on December 02, 2009
http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7625530.htmlIsotope labeling is a technique used to study nanoscale growth mechanisms. This patent from Tsinghua University and Hon Hai Precision teaches an arc discharge method using isotope doping to study the growth process...

US Patent 7625502 - Manufacture of nanoscale scintillation material

Posted on December 02, 2009
http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7625502.htmlScintillation materials are important to radiation detectors used in medical imaging. This patent from GE teaches how nanoscale scintilators can enhance the resolution and luminosity of such imaging devices...

US Patent 7625475 - Microfluidic nanotube pump

Posted on December 02, 2009
http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7625475.htmlThis patent from Lockheed Martin teaches that single walled carbon nanotubes can enhance the electrofluidic flow control found in microfluidic devices. Claim 1 reads:1. A microfluidic pump comprising:a housing comprising a first open end and a second open end;a single walled nanotube, including two or more electric contacts, positioned within said housing, wherein the single walled nanotube is not part of a membrane;an ionic fluid or alcohol contained within said housing; anda voltage source directly connected to said two or more electric contacts on said single walled nanotube;wherein upon application of a voltage to said two or more electric contacts on said single walled nanotube, a current flows through said single walled nanotube, thereby inducing a uni-directional, non-osmotic flow of said ionic fluid or alcohol in and around said nanotube and causing said ionic fluid to enter said housing via said first open end and exit said housing via said second open end.

US Patent 7623746 - Nanoscale coaxial optical microscope

Posted on November 29, 2009
http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7623746.htmlNear-field scanning optical microscopes (NSOM) provide nanoscale metrology below the resolution limits of conventional optical micrscopes. This patent from Boston College teaches a variation of this microscope type which a carbon nanotube is used as an inner conductor probe tip...

US Patent 7623340 - Graphene nanocomposites as supercapacitor electrodes

Posted on November 29, 2009
http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7623340.htmlThis patent from Nanotek Instruments teaches forming electrodes out of porous graphene platelets to achieve supercapacitors with potential use as energy sources for hybrid vehicles. The patent notes graphene as a cheaper alternative to carbon nanotube supercapacitor energy sources...

US Patent 7623284 - Nanotube photochromic layer

Posted on November 29, 2009
http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7623284.htmlThis patent from LG Chem teaches using nanotubes in a photochromic layer to construct a paperlike electronic display. Claim 1 reads:1. An electrochromic device comprising:a first transparent electrode;a photochromic layer comprising a nanotube conducting polymer in pores of a porous template;an electrolyte; anda second transparent electrode, wherein the porous template has pores having a diameter of 5 to 500 nm and a pore density of 10 to 50% by cross section...

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