California Institute of Technology

Elijah Bodhi Sansom

Morteza Gharib

Derek Rinderknecht

Flavio Noca

Jijie Zhou

Adrianus Indrat Aria

Michael J Bronikowski

Adrianus I Aria

A method of fabricating optical energy collection and conversion devices using carbon nanotubes (CNTs), and a method of anchoring CNT's into thin polymeric layers is disclosed. The basic method comprises an initial act of surrounding a plurality of substantially aligned nanostructures within at least one fluid layer of substantially uniform thickness such that a first end of the plurality of nanostructures protrudes from the fluid layer. Next, the fluid layer is altered to form an anchoring layer, thereby fastening the nanostructures within the primary anchoring layer with the first ends of the nanostructures protruding from a first surface of the primary anchoring layer. Finally, a portion of the anchoring layer is selectively removed such that a second end of the nanostructures is exposed and protrudes from the anchoring layer. The resulting product is an optically absorbent composite material having aligned nanostructures protruding from both sides of an anchoring layer.

Fabrication of anchored carbon nanotube array devices for integrated light collection and energy conversion

The present invention relates to a nano-enhanced device for substance transfer between the device and a tissue. The device comprises a substrate with substantially aligned carbon nanotubes anchored within the substrate, and with at least one end of the carbon nanotubes protruding from the substrate. The protruding nanotube ends may be coated with a drug for delivery of the drug into body tissue. The present invention may be incorporated into an angioplasty catheter balloon or into a patch that is worn on the skin. The carbon nanotubes can be grouped in clusters to effectively form nano-needles which can transfer fluid to or from the subdermal tissue. The nano-needles can be used in conjunction with a sensor to ascertain body fluid information such as pH, glucose level, etc.

Drug delivery and substance transfer facilitated by nano-enhanced device having aligned carbon nanotubes protruding from device surface

Methods for fastening nanoscale structures within an anchoring structure to form a nanostructure composite and nanostructure composites formed therefrom. A primary fluid layer is formed on an anchoring substrate. Nanostructures are provided on an initial substrate, the nanostructures having a defined height and orientation with respect to the initial substrate. The nanostructures are introduced to a desired depth in the primary fluid layer, such that the orientation of the nanostructures relative to the growth substrate is substantially maintained. The primary fluid layer comprises one or more fluid layers. Ones of multiple fluid layers are selected such that when altered to form an anchoring structure, a portion of the anchoring structure can be removed, permitting exposure of at least a portion of the nanostructures from the anchoring structure in which they are affixed. The growth substrate is removed. Ends or other parts of nanostructures may be exposed from the anchoring structure.

Method for selectively anchoring and exposing large numbers of nanoscale structures

A fluid transport method and fluid transport device are disclosed. Nanoscale fibers disposed in a patterned configuration allow transport of a fluid in absence of an external power source. The device may include two or more fluid transport components having different fluid transport efficiencies. The components may be separated by additional fluid transport components, to control fluid flow.

Nanoscale wicking methods and devices

A method is provided for creating composites by combining pre-fabricated nanoscale structures (nanostructures) and other materials in which the nanostructures are anchored. This method results in anchored nanostructures with their base held and encased within the anchoring material to a specified depth and with a specified length of protrusion of the nanostructures from the anchoring material. This represents a major advance over previous methods of creating composites containing nanostructures which were limited to fully embedded nanostructures or, at best, very limited and uncontrolled protrusion of nanostructures. In summary, the current method involves bringing nanostructures and anchoring materials into physical contact in a controlled fashion and optionally conducting a treatment step to complete the anchoring process.

Method for selectively anchoring large numbers of nanoscale structures

A method of assembling large numbers of nanoscale structures in pre-determined ways using fluids or capillary lithography to control the patterning and arrangement of the individual nanoscale objects and nanostructures formed in accordance with the inventive method are provided. In summary, the current method uses the controlled dispersion and evaporation of fluids to form controlled patterns of nanoscale objects or features anchored on a substrate, such as nanoscale fibers like carbon nanotubes.

Growing community of inventors

San Francisco, CA, United States of America

Elijah Bodhi Sansom