California Institute of Technology

Konstantinos P Giapis

Richard C Flagan

R Mohan Sankaran

Yunxi Yao

Sossina M Haile

Jesse L Beauchamp

Charles Patrick Collier

Lawrence A Wade

Evan L Neidholdt

Nicholas A Brunelli

Ian R Shapiro

Sean McHugh

Dean Holunga

Aron Varga

Michael J Gordon

Norbert Radacsi

Mohan Sankaran

Nick Brunelli

Timothy K Minton

Mary Louie

Maria J Esplandiu

Vern Garrett Bittner, Jr

Apparatus and methods for facilitating an intramolecular reaction that occurs in single collisions of COmolecules (or their derivatives amenable to controllable acceleration, such as COions) with a solid surface, such that molecular oxygen (or its relevant analogs, e.g., Oand Oions) is directly produced are provided. The reaction is driven by kinetic energy and is independent of surface composition and temperature. The methods and apparatus may be used to remove COfrom Earth's atmosphere, while, in other embodiments, the methods and apparatus may be used to prevent the atmosphere's contamination with COemissions. In yet other embodiments, the methods and apparatus may be used to obtain molecular oxygen in CO-rich environments, such as to facilitate exploration of extraterrestrial bodies with CO-rich atmospheres (e.g. Mars).

Method for splitting carbon dioxide into molecular oxygen and carbon

Nanostructured materials, and methods and apparatus for their production are provided. Nanostructured materials comprise nanofibers having nanoparticles deposited along the outer surface thereof. The size of the nanofibers and nanoparticles, and the spacing of such nanoparticles along the nanofibers may be controlled over a wide range. Nanostructured materials may comprise a plurality of such nanofibers interwoven together to form fiber cloth-like materials. Many materials may be used to form the nanofibers including polymer nanofiber materials (e.g., polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), etc.) along with compatible nanoparticle materials (e.g., salts or other crystallizable materials).

Nanofibers decorated with nanoparticles and methods of their manufacture

A continuous flow mobility classifier provide the ability to perform two-dimensional separation in mass spectrometry. An ionization system is used to ionize a sample. A differential mobility analyzer (DMA) (e.g., a nano-radial DMA) is coupled to the ionization system and to a mass spectrometer. The nano-RDMA is configured to separate the ionized sample by mobility for subsequent mass analysis by the mass spectrometer.

Continuous flow mobility classifier interface with mass spectrometer

The present invention provides a method of preparing a nanostructure material on a substrate. The method includes spraying an aqueous solution from a capillary to the substrate, wherein the aqueous solution includes an electrolyte and an alcohol. The method also includes applying an electrical bias between the capillary and the substrate, such that the electrolyte deposits on the substrate forming the nanostructure material. The present invention also provides the nanostructure material prepared by this method.

Composite nanostructure solid acid fuel cell electrodes via electrospray deposition

Embodiments in accordance with the present invention relate to techniques for the growth and attachment of single wall carbon nanotubes (SWNT), facilitating their use as robust and well-characterized tools for AFM imaging and other applications. In accordance with one embodiment, SWNTs attached to an AFM tip can function as a structural scaffold for nanoscale device fabrication on a scanning probe. Such a probe can trigger, with nanometer precision, specific biochemical reactions or conformational changes in biological systems. The consequences of such triggering can be observed in real time by single-molecule fluorescence, electrical, and/or AFM sensing. Specific embodiments in accordance with the present invention utilize sensing and manipulation of individual molecules with carbon nanotubes, coupled with single-molecule fluorescence imaging, to allow observation of spectroscopic signals in response to mechanically induced molecular changes. Biological macromolecules such as proteins or DNA can be attached to nanotubes to create highly specific single-molecule probes for investigations of intermolecular dynamics, for assembling hybrid biological and nanoscale materials, or for developing molecular electronics. In one example, electrical wiring of single redox enzymes to carbon nanotube scanning probes allows observation and electrochemical control over single enzymatic reactions by monitoring fluorescence from a redox-active cofactor or the formation of fluorescent products. Enzymes 'nanowired' to the tips of carbon nanotubes in accordance with embodiments of the present invention, may enable extremely sensitive probing of biological stimulus-response with high spatial resolution, including product-induced signal transduction.

Selective functionalization of carbon nanotube tips allowing fabrication of new classes of nanoscale sensing and manipulation tools

A system and method for making nanoparticles. The system includes a first cathode including a first metal tube associated with a first end and a second end, a first anode including a second metal tube associated with a third end and a fourth end, and a first container including a first gas inlet. The first end and the third end are located inside the first container. The first end and the third end are separated by a first gap, the first metal tube is configured to allow a first gas to flow from the second end to the first end, and the first container is configured to allow a second gas to flow from the first gas inlet into the second metal tube through at least a first part of the first gap.

System and method for making nanoparticles using atmospheric-pressure plasma microreactor

An apparatus and method for converting methane to methanol by partial oxidation comprises a source of methane, a source of oxygen, and a capillary tube having an outflow end and an inflow end communicating with the sources of methane and oxygen. An anode is positioned proximate to but spaced from the capillary tube. A voltage source negatively biases the capillary tube relative to the anode. A plasma jet flows from the outflow end of the capillary tube. The methane partially oxidizes into methanol in a reaction zone in the plasma jet. A collector receives the methanol in the plasma jet for subsequent condensation, separation and purification.

Plasma microjet arrays for selective oxidation of methane to methanol

Hollow cathode microdischarges in a tube geometry provides the formation of stable, high-pressure discharges in a variety of flowing gases including argon, helium, nitrogen, and hydrogen. Direct current discharges are ignited in stainless steel capillary tubes (d &equals;178 &mgr;m) which are operated as the cathode and using a metal grid or plate as the anode. Argon discharges can be sustained at atmospheric pressure with voltages as low as 260 V for cathode-anode gaps of 0.5 mm. In one embodiment using a molybdenum substrate as the anode, microjets are struck in H /CH mixtures at 200 Torr to deposit diamond films with well-faceted crystals. Optical emission spectroscopy of discharges used for growth confirms the presence of atomic hydrogen and CH radicals. Ballasting of individual tubes allows parallel operation of the microjets for larger area materials processing.

Method and apparatus for providing flow-stabilized microdischarges in metal capillaries

An at-least dual chamber apparatus and method in which high flux beams of fast moving neutral reactive species are created, collimated and used to etch semiconductor or metal materials from the surface of a workpiece. Beams including halogen atoms are preferably used to achieve anisotropic etching with good selectivity at satisfactory etch rates. Surface damage and undercutting are minimized.

Growing community of inventors

Pasadena, CA, United States of America

Konstantinos P Giapis