Macroscopically manipulable nanoscale devices made from nanotube assemblies

US7048903B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• William Marsh Rice University · US

Inventors

• Daniel T. Colbert · Houston, US
• Hongjie Dai · Sunnyvale, US
• Jason H. Hafner · Houston, US
• Andrew G. Rinzler · Newberry, US
• Richard E. Smalley · Houston, US
• Jie Liu · Houston, US
• Kenneth A. Smith · Houston, US
• Ting Guo · Davis, US
• Pavel Nikolaev · Houston, US
• Andreas Thess · Aspenhausiedlung, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Nov 30, 2001
• Grant date: May 23, 2006
• Expiry date: Jul 28, 2023

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y10T428/2918
• WIPO field: Micro-structural and nano-technology
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

Macroscopically manipulable nanoscale devices made from nanotube assemblies are disclosed. The article of manufacture comprises a macroscopic mounting element capable of being manipulated or observed in a macroscale environment, and a nanoscale nanotube assembly attached to the mounting element. The article permits macroscale information to be provided to or obtained from a nanoscale environment. A method for making a macroscopically manipulable nanoscale devices comprises the steps of (1) providing a nanotube-containing material; (2) preparing a nanotube assembly device having at least one carbon nanotube for attachment; and (3) attaching said nanotube assembly to a surface of a mounting element.