Abstract:
An electronic system for selectively detecting and identifying a plurality of chemical species, which comprises an array of nanostructure sensing devices, is disclosed. Within the array, there are at least two different selectivities for sensing among the nanostructure sensing devices. Methods for fabricating the electronic system are also disclosed. The methods involve modifying nanostructures within the devices to have different selectivity for sensing chemical species. Modification can involve chemical, electrochemical, and self-limiting point defect reactions. Reactants for these reactions can be supplied using a bath method or a chemical jet method. Methods for using the arrays of nanostructure sensing devices to detect and identify a plurality of chemical species are also provided. The methods involve comparing signals from nanostructure sensing devices that have not been exposed to the chemical species of interest with signals from nanostructure sensing devices that have been exposed to the chemical species of interest.
Abstract:
Fullerenes, when irradiated with electromagnetic radiation, generate acoustic waves. A photoacoustic tomography method using a material comprising fullerenes is disclosed that includes irradiating the material with a radiation beam such as a laser. The resultant photoacoustic effect produced by the material is detected by at least one detector. A photoacoustic tomography system using a material comprising fullerenes is also described.
Abstract:
A receiver for nano communication includes a power source including a cathode and an anode; a cathode unit connected to the cathode of the power source, the cathode unit including a nano device configured to receive a wireless signal modulated according to a predetermined modulation scheme, have at least two different resonant frequencies, and resonate based on a frequency of the wireless signal and the at least two different resonant frequencies; and an anode unit connected to the anode of the power source, the anode unit being configured to detect electrons emitted from the nano device, and demodulate a the wireless signal based on a pattern of the detected electrons.
Abstract:
A method of making a mechanically robust, electrically conductive ultralow-density carbon nanotube-based aerogel, including the steps of dispersing nanotubes in an aqueous media or other media to form a suspension, adding reactants and catalyst to the suspension to create a reaction mixture, curing the reaction mixture to form a wet gel, drying the wet gel to produce a dry gel, and pyrolyzing the dry gel to produce the mechanically robust, electrically conductive ultralow-density carbon nanotube-based aerogel. The aerogel is mechanically robust, electrically conductive, and ultralow-density, and is made of a porous carbon material having 5 to 95% by weight carbon nanotubes and 5 to 95% carbon binder.
Abstract:
The electrical energy generating system of the present invention comprises a piece of alignment Buckypaper, an energy generator, a thin deposition and two contacts. The alignment Buckypaper is a thin sheet made from an aggregate of carbon nanotubes. The thin deposition is formed on at least one surface of the alignment Buckypaper by electrolysis to form a semimetal material. A contact is connected with the upper surface of the alignment Buckypaper and the other contact is connected with the lower surface of the alignment Buckypaper. In use, the energy generated by the generator is inputted to the alignment Buckypaper. The energy then ionizes the molecules contained in the alignment Buckypaper. The positive charges move to the upper contact and the negative charges move to the lower contact. Such electrical energy may then be fed to a load connected with the two contacts to do work on the load.
Abstract:
A polymer-carbon nanotube composite film is provided for use as a sensor for detecting chemical vapors. The composite film is formed by coating perpendicularly-aligned carbon nanotubes with a polymer selected from poly(vinyl acetate), poly(isoprene), or blends thereof. The sensor may be formed by attaching at least two electrodes to the polymer-carbon nanotube composite film. The sensor may be used in any applications where the sensor is capable of detecting a change in conductivity in the composite.
Abstract:
A polymer-carbon nanotube composite film is provided for use as a sensor for detecting chemical vapors. The composite film is formed by coating perpendicularly-aligned carbon nanotubes with a polymer selected from poly(vinyl acetate), poly(isoprene), or blends thereof. The sensor may be formed by attaching at least two electrodes to the polymer-carbon nanotube composite film. The sensor may be used in any applications where the sensor is capable of detecting a change in conductivity in the composite.
Abstract:
A multiple transistor differential amplifier is implemented on a segment of a single graphene nanoribbon. Differential amplifier field effect transistors are formed on the graphene nanoribbon from a first group of electrical conductors in contact with the graphene nanoribbon and a second group of electrical conductors insulated from, but exerting electric fields on, the graphene nanoribbon thereby forming the gates of the field effect transistors. A transistor in one portion of the graphene nanoribbon and a transistor in another portion of the graphene nanoribbon are responsive to respective incoming electrical signals. A current source, also formed on the graphene nanoribbon, is connected with the differential amplifier, and the current source and the differential amplifier operating together generate an outgoing signal responsive to the incoming electrical signal. In an example application, the resulting circuit can be used to interface with electrical signals of nanoscale sensors and actuators,
Abstract:
A multiple transistor differential amplifier is implemented on a single graphene nanoribbon. Differential amplifier field effect transistors are formed on the graphene nanoribbon from a first group of electrical conductors in contact with the graphene nanoribbon and a second group of electrical conductors insulated from, but exerting electric fields on, the graphene nanoribbon thereby forming the gates of the field effect transistors. A transistor in one portion of the differential amplifier and a transistor in another portion of the differential amplifier are responsive to an incoming electrical signal. A current source, also formed on the graphene nanoribbon, is connected with the differential amplifier, and the current source and the differential amplifier operating together generate an outgoing signal responsive to the incoming electrical signal.
Abstract:
Provided are fabrication, characterization and application of a nanodisk electrode, a nanopore electrode and a nanopore membrane. These three nanostructures share common fabrication steps. In one embodiment, the fabrication of a disk electrode involves sealing a sharpened internal signal transduction element (“ISTE”) into a substrate, followed by polishing of the substrate until a nanometer-sized disk of the ISTE is exposed. The fabrication of a nanopore electrode is accomplished by etching the nanodisk electrode to create a pore in the substrate, with the remaining ISTE comprising the pore base. Complete removal of the ISTE yields a nanopore membrane, in which a conical shaped pore is embedded in a thin membrane of the substrate.