Fluidic nanotubes and devices
US7355216B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 8, 2004 |
| Grant date | Apr 8, 2008 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 21, 2024 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01N27/00
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
Fluidic nanotube devices are described in which a hydrophilic, non-carbon nanotube, has its ends fluidly coupled to reservoirs. Source and drain contacts are connected to opposing ends of the nanotube, or within each reservoir near the opening of the nanotube. The passage of molecular species can be sensed by measuring current flow (source-drain, ionic, or combination). The tube interior can be functionalized by joining binding molecules so that different molecular species can be sensed by detecting current changes. The nanotube may be a semiconductor, wherein a tubular transistor is formed. A gate electrode can be attached between source and drain to control current flow and ionic flow. By way of example an electrophoretic array embodiment is described, integrating MEMs switches. A variety of applications are described, such as: nanopores, nanocapillary devices, nanoelectrophoretic, DNA sequence detectors, immunosensors, thermoelectric devices, photonic devices, nanoscale fluidic bioseparators, imaging devices, and so forth.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.