University of California

Adam Schwartzberg

Jin Z Zhang

Tammy Y Olson

Miquel Salmeron

Claire Gu

Rebecca Sutphen

Leo Seballos

Yi Zhang

Thaddeus Norman

Tammy Y Oshiro

Xiao Zhao

Matthijs Van Spronsen

Christian D Grant

Yi-Hsien Lu

Carlos Morales Sanchez

This disclosure provides systems, methods, and apparatus related to thin free-standing oxide membranes. In one aspect, a method includes providing a substrate. The substrate defines a hole having a diameter of about 500 nanometers to 5000 nanometers. A layer of metal is deposited on the substrate. A supporting layer is deposited on the layer of metal. A first side of the supporting layer is the side that is disposed on the layer of metal. A metal oxide layer is deposited on the first side of the supporting layer and on the substrate. In some implementations, the method further includes removing the supporting layer.

Thin free-standing oxide membranes

The invention is drawn to a method of using nanoparticle aggregates to form sensors and optical filters. Properly sized (60 and 200 nm) nanoparticle aggregates with cores having a sulfur-oxygen molecular species and a shell with a surface in contact with the core are obtained. Those nanoparticle aggregates have a first resonance profile to wavelengths between 350 nm and 1075 nm. A modified resonance profile for those nanoparticle aggregates is determined. The nanoparticle aggregates are then selectively sized by irradiating them with electromagnetic energy at sufficient intensity and spectral content to modify the first resonance profile towards the modified resonance profile. The resulting nanoparticle aggregates can be used as sensors or optical filters at a selected wavelength.

Gold nanoparticle aggregates and their applications

The invention is drawn to novel nanostructures comprising hollow nanospheres and nanotubes for use as chemical sensors, conduits for fluids, and electronic conductors. The nanostructures can be used in microfluidic devices, for transporting fluids between devices and structures in analytical devices, for conducting electrical currents between devices and structure in analytical devices, and for conducting electrical currents between biological molecules and electronic devices, such as bio-microchips.

Gold nanostructures and methods of use

Growing community of inventors

Santa Cruz, CA, United States of America

Adam Schwartzberg