Nanomix, Inc.

University of California

Keith Bradley

Jean-Christophe P Gabriel

George Gruner

Philip G Collins

Young-Kyun Kwon

Seung-Hoon Jhi

Jeff Wyatt

Eugene Tu

Ying-Lan Chang

Alexander Star

John Loren Passmore

Christian Valcke

Sergei Skarupo

Jean-Christophe Gabriel

Jean Christophe Gabriel

N Peter Armitage

Vikram Joshi

Tzong-Ru T Han

George Grüner

Alona J Davis

George Gr&uuml;ner

Embodiments of nanoelectronic sensors are described, including sensors for detecting analytes inorganic gases, organic vapors, biomolecules, viruses and the like. A number of embodiments of capacitive sensors having alternative architectures are described. Particular examples include integrated cell membranes and membrane-like structures in nanoelectronic sensors.

Nano-electronic sensors for chemical and biological analytes, including capacitance and bio-membrane devices

An electronic system for selectively detecting and identifying a plurality of chemical species, which comprises an array of nanostructure sensing devices, is disclosed. Within the array, there are at least two different selectivities for sensing among the nanostructure sensing devices. Methods for fabricating the electronic system are also disclosed. The methods involve modifying nanostructures within the devices to have different selectivity for sensing chemical species. Modification can involve chemical, electrochemical, and self-limiting point defect reactions. Reactants for these reactions can be supplied using a bath method or a chemical jet method. Methods for using the arrays of nanostructure sensing devices to detect and identify a plurality of chemical species are also provided. The methods involve comparing signals from nanostructure sensing devices that have not been exposed to the chemical species of interest with signals from nanostructure sensing devices that have been exposed to the chemical species of interest.

Modification of selectivity for sensing for nanostructure sensing device arrays

A flexible electronic device is made up of nanostructures. Specifically, the device includes a flexible substrate, a film of nanostructures in contact with the flexible substrate, a first conducting element in contact with the film of nanostructures, and a second conducting element in contact with the film of nanostructures. The nanostructures may comprise nanotubes, such as carbon nanotubes disposed along the flexible substrate, such as an organic or polymer substrate. The first and second conductive elements may serve as electrical terminals, or as a source and drain. In addition, the electronic device may include a gate electrode that is in proximity to the nanotubes and not in electrical contact with the nanotubes. In this configuration, the device can operate as a transistor or a FET. The device may also be operated in a resistive mode as a chemical sensor (e.g., for sensing NH).

Flexible nanostructure electronic devices

An electronic system for selectively detecting and identifying a plurality of chemical species, which comprises an array of nanostructure sensing devices, is disclosed. Within the array, there are at least two different selectivities for sensing among the nanostructure sensing devices. Methods for fabricating the electronic system are also disclosed. The methods involve modifying nanostructures within the devices to have different selectivity for sensing chemical species. Modification can involve chemical, electrochemical, and self-limiting point defect reactions. Reactants for these reactions can be supplied using a bath method or a chemical jet method. Methods for using the arrays of nanostructure sensing devices to detect and identify a plurality of chemical species are also provided. The methods involve comparing signals from nanostructure sensing devices that have not been exposed to the chemical species of interest with signals from nanostructure sensing devices that have been exposed to the chemical species of interest. Nanostructure sensing device array structures that can measure and subtract out environmental factors are also disclosed.

Modification of selectivity for sensing for nanostructure device arrays

A hydrogen storage medium is provided, where the medium is comprised of boron oxide and closely related compounds such as orthoboric acid, metaboric acid, hydrated boric acid, and disodium borohydrate. The medium is substantially an amorphous glassy network, albeit with local regions of order, pores, and networks that provide surface area. Hydrogen is adsorbed by the medium with a heat of adsorption of about 9 kJ/mol to about 13 kJ/mol, a value which is higher than that of the heat of adsorption of hydrogen on carbon. The value for the heat of adsorption of hydrogen on the inventive storage medium is provided by computation, and corroborated by experimental observation. The higher heat of adsorption of the medium provides for operation at temperatures higher temperatures higher than those provided by carbon. Further provided are methods by which the storage medium can be prepared in such a form so as to permit high capacity hydrogen storage, as well as an apparatus, with the inventive medium disposed therein, for storing hydrogen.

Boron oxide and related compounds for hydrogen storage

A nanoelectronic device includes a nanostructure, such as a nanotube or network of nanotubes, disposed on a substrate. Nanoparticles are disposed on or adjacent to the nanostructure so as to operatively effect the electrical properties of the nanostructure. The nanoparticles may be composed of metals, metal oxides, or salts, and nanoparticles composed of different materials may be present. The amount of nanoparticles may be controlled to preserve semiconductive properties of the nanostructure, and the substrate immediately adjacent to the nanostructure may remain substantially free of nanoparticles. A method for fabricating the device includes electrodeposition of the nanoparticles using one or more solutions of dissolved ions while providing an electric current to the nanostructures but not to the surrounding substrate.

Nanostructures with electrodeposited nanoparticles

This invention provides for an apparatus and a method for operation of a cryogenic hydrogen storage system that contains a porous medium configured to adsorb hydrogen. The hydrogen storage and supply system includes a hydrogen source apparatus and a cryosorptive storage apparatus. Methods and devices that allow for an energy efficient filling of the cryosorptive apparatus from the hydrogen source apparatus are described. The cryosorptive hydrogen storage apparatus is filled with cold, pressurized hydrogen. During the course of filling, heat is generated in the cryosorptive storage device by the process of hydrogen adsorption on to the host medium. Methods and devices are provided for the removal the generated heat and the warm hydrogen. Further provided are devices and methods for the capture and recycle of escaped hydrogen within the hydrogen source apparatus.

Hydrogen storage and supply system

Boron-oxide and related compounds for hydrogen storage

This invention provides for an apparatus and a method for operation of a cryogenic hydrogen storage system that contains a porous medium configured to adsorb hydrogen. The hydrogen storage and supply system includes a hydrogen source apparatus, a cryosorptive storage apparatus, and a fuel recycle loop. Methods and devices that allow for an energy efficient release of hydrogen from the cryosorptive apparatus are described. At the outset of a fuel release, the cryosorptive hydrogen storage apparatus contains cold, pressurized hydrogen. Release of hydrogen from the storage apparatus is a process that consumes heat, thereby drawing down both the temperature and pressure. Heat can be provided to the cryosorptive storage apparatus by various direct approaches, or through the influx of warm, recycled hydrogen. The hydrogen storage and release apparatus contains a recycle loop, which warms a portion of the effluxing hydrogen, and returns it to the storage apparatus, thereby maintaining pressure and temperature conditions that support continued hydrogen desorption from the storage medium.

Operation of a hydrogen storage and supply system

An electronic system for selectively detecting and identifying a plurality of chemical species, which comprises an array of nanostructure sensing devices, is disclosed. Within the array, there are at least two different selectivities for sensing among the nanostructure sensing devices. Methods for fabricating the electronic system are also disclosed. The methods involve modifiying nanostructures within the devices to have different selectivity for sensing chemical species. Modification can involve chemical, electrochemical, and self-limiting point defect reactions. Reactants for these reactions can be supplied using a bath method or a chemical jet method. Methods for using the arrays of nanostructure sensing devices to detect and identify a plurality of chemical species are also provided. The methods involve comparing signals from nanostructure sensing devices that have not been exposed to the chemical species of interest with signals from nanostructure sensing devices that have been exposed to the chemical species of interest. Nanostructure sensing device array structures that can measure and subtract out environmental factors are also disclosed.

Nanostructure sensing devices for detecting an analyte are described. The devices include nanostructures connected to conductive elements, all on a substrate. Contact regions adjacent to points of contact between the nanostructures and the conductive elements are given special treatment. The proportion of nanostructure surface area within contact regions can be maximized to effect sensing at very low analyte concentrations. The contact regions can be passivated in an effort to prevent interaction between the environment and the contact regions for sensing at higher analyte concentrations and for reducing cross-sensing. Both contact regions and at least some portion of the nanostructures can be covered with a material that is at least partially permeable to the analyte of interest and impermeable to some other species to tune selectivity and sensitivity of the nanostructure sensing device.

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Oakland, CA, United States of America

Keith Bradley