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James M. Tour, Bellaire US

James M. Tour, Bellaire, TX US

Patent application numberDescriptionPublished
20080213162Amplification of Carbon Nanotubes Via Seeded-Growth Methods - The present invention is directed towards methods (processes) of providing large quantities of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) of defined diameter and chirality (i.e., precise populations). In such processes, CNT seeds of a pre-selected diameter and chirality are grown to many (e.g., hundreds) times their original length. This is optionally followed by cycling some of the newly grown material back as seed material for regrowth. Thus, the present invention provides for the large-scale production of precise populations of CNTs, the precise composition of such populations capable of being optimized for a particular application (e.g., hydrogen storage). The present invention is also directed to complexes of CNTs and transition metal catalyst precurors, such complexes typically being formed en route to forming CNT seeds.09-04-2008
20080258179Hybrid molecular electronic device for switching, memory, and sensor applications, and method of fabricating same - A hybrid molecular electronic device having switching, memory, and sensor application is disclosed. In one embodiment, the device resembles a conventional field-effect transistor (FET) formed on a silicon-on-insulator (SOI) substrate. Source and drain doped regions are formed in an upper surface of the SOI substrate, and a metallization layer which can serve as a gate contact is formed on a lower surface of the SOI substrate. A channel region spanning between the doped source and drain regions is left exposed, in order that a monolayer of molecules may be formed therein. Upon application of appropriate gating voltages to the gate contact, conduction between the source and drain regions can be modulated, possibly as a result of the reduction and oxidation of the molecules grafted to the gate region.10-23-2008
20080260616Bulk Separation of Carbon Nanotubes by Bandgap - The present invention is directed to methods of separating carbon nanotubes (CNTs) by their electronic type (e.g., metallic, semi-metallic, and semiconducting). Perhaps most generally, in some embodiments, the present invention is directed to methods of separating CNTs by bandgap, wherein such separation is effected by interacting the CNTs with a surface such that the surface interacts differentially with the CNTs on the basis of their bandgap, or lack thereof. In some embodiments, such methods can allow for such separations to be carried out in bulk quantities.10-23-2008
20090042136Carbon Nanotube-Silicon Composite Structures and Methods for Making Same - The present invention is directed toward methods of attaching or grafting carbon nanotubes (CNTs) to silicon or other surfaces, wherein such attaching or grafting occurs via functional groups on either or both of the CNTs and silicon surface. The present invention is also directed to the novel compositions produced by such methods. Previous work by Applicants has demonstrated covalent attachment of arenes via aryldiazonium salts to Si (hydride passivated single crystal or poly Si; <111> or <100>, p-doped, n-doped or intrinsic), GaAs, and Pd surfaces. In the case of Si, this provides a direct arene-Si bond with no intervening oxide. Applicants have also reported on the use of aryldiazonium salts for the direct covalent linkage of arenes to single wall carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) where the nanotubes can exist either as bundles or individual structures (when surfactant-wrapped). In some embodiments, the present invention is directed to a merger of these two technologies to afford the covalent attachment of individualized (unroped) SWNTs to Si surfaces.02-12-2009
20090170768WATER-SOLUBLE CARBON NANOTUBE COMPOSITIONS FOR DRUG DELIVERY AND MEDICINAL APPLICATIONS - Compositions comprising a plurality of functionalized carbon nanotubes and at least one type of payload molecule are provided herein. The compositions are soluble in water and PBS in some embodiments. In certain embodiments, the payload molecules are insoluble in water. Methods are described for making the compositions and administering the compositions. An extended release formulation for paclitaxel utilizing functionalized carbon nanotubes is also described.07-02-2009
20090173935PREPARATION OF THIN FILM TRANSISTORS (TFT's) OR RADIO FREQUENCY IDENTIFICATION (RFID) TAGS OR OTHER PRINTABLE ELECTRONICS USING INK-JET PRINTER AND CARBON NANOTUBE INKS - The invented ink-jet printing method for the construction of thin film transistors using all SWNTs on flexible plastic films is a new process. This method is more practical than all of exiting printing methods in the construction TFT and RFID tags because SWNTs have superior properties of both electrical and mechanical over organic conducting oligomers and polymers which often used for TFT. Furthermore, this method can be applied on thin films such as paper and plastic films while silicon based techniques can not used on such flexible films. These are superior to the traditional conducting polymers used in printable devices since they need no dopant and they are more stable. They could be used in conjunction with conducting polymers, or as stand-alone inks.07-09-2009
20090269593FUNCTIONALIZED, HYDROGEN-PASSIVATED SILICON SURFACES - This invention is generally related to a method of making a molecule-surface interface comprising at least one surface comprising at least one material and at least one organic group wherein the organic group is adjoined to the surface and the method comprises contacting at least one organic group precursor with at least one surface wherein the organic group precursor is capable of reacting with the surface in a manner sufficient to adjoin the organic group and the surface.10-29-2009
20090301896PROCESS FOR DERIVATIZING CARBON NANOTUBES WITH DIAZONIUM SPECIES AND COMPOSITIONS THEREOF - Methods for the chemical modification of carbon nanotubes involve the derivatization of multi- and single-wall carbon nanotubes, including small diameter (ca. 0.7 nm) single-wall carbon nanotubes, with diazonium species. The method allows the chemical attachment of a variety of organic compounds to the side and ends of carbon nanotubes. These chemically modified nanotubes have applications in polymer composite materials, molecular electronic applications, and sensor devices. The methods of derivatization include electrochemical induced reactions, thermally induced reactions, and photochemically induced reactions. Moreover, when modified with suitable chemical groups, the derivatized nanotubes are chemically compatible with a polymer matrix, allowing transfer of the properties of the nanotubes (such as, mechanical strength or electrical conductivity) to the properties of the composite material as a whole. Furthermore, when modified with suitable chemical groups, the groups can be polymerized to form a polymer that includes carbon nanotubes.12-10-2009
20100028247METHODS FOR SELECTIVE FUNCTIONALIZATION AND SEPARATION OF CARBON NANOTUBES - The present invention is directed toward methods of selectively functionalizing carbon nanotubes of a specific type or range of types, based on their electronic properties, using diazonium chemistry. The present invention is also directed toward methods of separating carbon nanotubes into populations of specific types or range(s) of types via selective functionalization and electrophoresis, and also to the novel compositions generated by such separations.02-04-2010
20100105834Methods for Preparation of Graphene Nanoribbons From Carbon Nanotubes and Compositions, Thin Films and Devices Derived Therefrom - Methods for producing macroscopic quantities of oxidized graphene nanoribbons are disclosed herein. The methods include providing a plurality of carbon nanotubes and reacting the plurality of carbon nanotubes with at least one oxidant to form oxidized graphene nanoribbons. The at least one oxidant is operable to longitudinally open the carbon nanotubes. In some embodiments, the reacting step takes place in the presence of at least one acid. In some embodiments, the reacting step takes place in the presence of at least one protective agent. Various embodiments of the present disclosure also include methods for producing reduced graphene nanoribbons by reacting oxidized graphene nanoribbons with at least one reducing agent. Oxidized graphene nanoribbons, reduced graphene nanoribbons and compositions and articles derived therefrom are also disclosed herein.04-29-2010
20100197783Radiation Protection Using Single Wall Carbon Nanotube Derivatives - A method of reducing side effects of damage in a human subject exposed to radiation includes administering to the human subject carbon nanotubes in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier after or prior to exposure to radiation. A composition for reducing radical damage includes a carbon nanotube which is functionalized (1) for substantial water solubility and (2) with a radical trapping agent appended to the carbon nanotube forming a radical scavenger-carbon nanotube conjugate.08-05-2010
20100252824Hybrid Molecular Electronic Devices Containing Molecule-Functionalized Surfaces for Switching, Memory, and Sensor Applications and Methods for Fabricating Same - This invention is generally related to a method of making a molecule-surface interface comprising at least one surface comprising at least one material and at least one organic group wherein the organic group is adjoined to the surface and the method comprises contacting at least one organic group precursor with at least one surface wherein the organic group precursor is capable of reacting with the surface in a manner sufficient to adjoin the organic group and the surface. The present invention is directed to hybrid molecular electronic devices having a molecule-surface interface. Such hybrid molecular electronic devices may advantageously have either a top or bottom gate electrode for modifying a conductivity of the devices.10-07-2010
20100279426Electronic Switching, Memory, and Sensor Devices from Carbon Sheets on Dielectric Materials - Electronic devices comprising a dielectric material, at least one carbon sheet, and two electrode terminals are described herein. The devices exhibit non-linear current-versus-voltage response over a voltage sweep range in various embodiments. Uses of the electronic devices as two-terminal memory devices, logic units, and sensors are disclosed. Processes for making the electronic devices are disclosed. Methods for using the electronic devices in analytical methods are disclosed.11-04-2010
20100283504METHOD FOR FABRICATION OF A SEMICONDUCTOR ELEMENT AND STRUCTURE THEREOF - Re-programmable antifuses and structures utilizing re-programmable antifuses are presented. Such structures include a configurable interconnect circuit having at least one re-programmable antifuse, wherein the at least one re-programmable antifuse is configured to be programmed to conduct by applying a first voltage across it and is configured to be re-programmed not to conduct by applying second voltage across it, wherein the second voltage is higher than the first voltage. Other embodiments of antifuses include an initializing step prior to programming.11-11-2010
20100284156VERTICALLY-STACKED ELECTRONIC DEVICES HAVING CONDUCTIVE CARBON FILMS - Vertically-stacked electronic devices having conductive carbon films are disclosed. The vertically-stacked devices exhibit non-linear current-versus-voltage response over a voltage sweep range in various embodiments. The vertically-stacked devices may be assembled into arrays where the vertically-stacked devices may be electrically addressed independently of one another. Uses of the vertically-stacked electronic devices and arrays as two-terminal memory devices, logic units, and sensors are disclosed. Crossbar arrays of vertically-stacked electronic devices having conductive carbon films and nanowire electrodes are disclosed.11-11-2010
20100289524Method for Fabrication of a Semiconductor Element and Structure Thereof - Re-programmable antifuses and structures utilizing re-programmable antifuses are presented herein. Such structures include a configurable interconnect circuit having at least one re-programmable antifuse, wherein the at least one re-programmable antifuse is configured to be programmed to conduct by applying a first voltage across it and is configured to be re-programmed not to conduct by applying second voltage across it, wherein the second voltage is higher than the first voltage. Additionally, the re-programmable antifuses may be configured to a permanently conductive state by applying an even higher voltage across it.11-18-2010
20110038196Electronic Devices Containing Switchably Conductive Silicon Oxides as a Switching Element and Methods for Production and Use Thereof - In various embodiments, electronic devices containing switchably conductive silicon oxide as a switching element are described herein. The electronic devices are two-terminal devices containing a first electrical contact and a second electrical contact in which at least one of the first electrical contact or the second electrical contact is deposed on a substrate to define a gap region therebetween. A switching layer containing a switchably conductive silicon oxide resides in the gap region between the first electrical contact and the second electrical contact. The electronic devices exhibit hysteretic current versus voltage properties, enabling their use in switching and memory applications. Methods for configuring, operating and constructing the electronic devices are also presented herein.02-17-2011
20110059871Graphene Compositions And Drilling Fluids Derived Therefrom - Drilling fluids comprising graphenes and nanoplatelet additives and methods for production thereof are disclosed. Graphene includes graphite oxide, graphene oxide, chemically-converted graphene, and functionalized chemically-converted graphene. Derivatized graphenes and methods for production thereof are disclosed. The derivatized graphenes are prepared from a chemically-converted graphene through derivatization with a plurality of functional groups. Derivatization can be accomplished, for example, by reaction of a chemically-converted graphene with a diazonium species. Methods for preparation of graphite oxide are also disclosed.03-10-2011
20110079770Preparation of Thin Film Transistors (TFTs) or Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) Tags or Other Printable Electronics Using Ink-Jet Printer and Carbon Nanotube Inks - The invented ink-jet printing method for the construction of thin film transistors using all SWNTs on flexible plastic films is a new process. This method is more practical than all of exiting printing methods in the construction TFT and RFID tags because SWNTs have superior properties of both electrical and mechanical over organic conducting oligomers and polymers which often used for TFT. Furthermore, this method can be applied on thin films such as paper and plastic films while silicon based techniques can not used on such flexible films. These are superior to the traditional conducting polymers used in printable devices since they need no dopant and they are more stable. They could be used in conjunction with conducting polymers, or as stand-alone inks.04-07-2011
20110144386Graphene Compositions and Drilling Fluids Derived Therefrom - Drilling fluids comprising graphenes and nanoplatelet additives and methods for production thereof are disclosed. Graphene includes graphite oxide, graphene oxide, chemically-converted graphene, and functionalized chemically-converted graphene. Derivatized graphenes and methods for production thereof are disclosed. The derivatized graphenes are prepared from a chemically-converted graphene through derivatization with a plurality of functional groups. Derivatization can be accomplished, for example, by reaction of a chemically-converted graphene with a diazonium species. Methods for preparation of graphite oxide are also disclosed.06-16-2011

Patent applications by James M. Tour, Bellaire, TX US