Nanoink, Inc.

Northwestern University

Nanolnk, Inc.

Linette Demers

Hua Zhang

Sylvain Cruchon-Dupeyrat

Nabil A Amro

Chad A Mirkin

Robert Elghanian

David S Ginger

Sandeep Disawal

John Edward Bussan

Joseph S Fragala

Michael R Nelson

Raymond Roger Shile

Bjoern Rosner

Cedric Loiret-Bernal

Jwa-Min Nam

Jung-Hyurk Lim

Ki-Bum Lee

Albena Ivanisevic

Percy Van Crocker

Ray Eby

Percy Vandorn Crocker, Jr

Methods for providing pharmaceutical compositions and objects with identification regions and identification features which are difficult to detect. Microlithography, nanolithography, and stamping methods are used. The identification features can be positive protrusions or negative indentations with respect to the surface. The identification regions can comprise bar codes and holograms. DPN printing or other lithographies such as electron beam lithography, optical lithography, or nanoimprint lithography can be used to prepare stamps, which are then used to prepare the identification features. Redundant patterns can be formed. The invention is useful for counterfeit prevention. An apparatus for stamping the identification features is also described.

Identification features

A new, low temperature method for directly writing conductive metal traces with micron and sub-micron sized features. In this method, a flat beam is used, such as an AFM cantilever, with or without a tip, to draw traces of metal precursor ink onto a substrate. The dimensions of the metal traces can be directly controlled by the geometry of the cantilever, so that one can controllably deposit traces from 1 micron to over 100 microns wide with microfabricated cantilevers. Cantilevers with sharp tips can be used to further shrink the minimum features sizes to sub-micron scale. The height of the features can be increased by building layers of similar or different material.

Micrometric direct-write methods for patterning conductive material and applications to flat panel display repair

The use of direct-write nanolithography to generate anchored, nanoscale patterns of nucleic acid on different substrates is described, including electrically conductive and insulating substrates. Modification of nucleic acid, including oligonucleotides, with reactive groups such as thiol groups provides for patterning with use of appropriate scanning probe microscopic tips under appropriate conditions. The reactive groups provide for chemisorption or covalent bonding to the substrate surface. The resulting nucleic acid features, which exhibit good stability, can be hybridized with complementary nucleic acids and probed accordingly with use of, for example, nanoparticles functionalized with nucleic acids. Patterning can be controlled by selection of tip treatment, relative humidity, and nucleic acid structure.

Direct write nanolithographic deposition of nucleic acids from nanoscopic tips

The present invention relates to the use of direct-write lithographic printing of proteins and peptides onto surfaces. In particular, the present invention relates to methods for creating protein and peptide arrays and compositions derived therefrom. Nanoscopic tips can be used to deposit the peptide or protein onto the surface to produce a pattern. The pattern can be dots or lines having dot diameter and line width of less than 1,000 nm. The tips and the substrate surfaces can be adapted for the peptide and protein lithography.

Peptide and protein arrays and direct-write lithographic printing of peptides and proteins

Photomask repair and fabrication with use of direct-write nanolithography, including use of scanning probe microscopic tips (e.g., atomic force microscope tips, etc.) for deposition of ink materials including sol-gel inks. Additive methods can be combined with subtractive methods. Holes can be filled with nanostructures. Heights of the nanostructures filling the holes can be controlled without losing control of the lateral dimensions of the nanostructures. Phase shifters on phase shifting masks (PSMs) are additively repaired with selectively deposited sol-gel material that is converted to solid oxide, which has optical transparency and index of refraction adapted for the phase shifters repaired.

Methods for additive repair of phase shift masks by selectively depositing nanometer-scale engineered structures on defective phase shifters

A novel method of transporting ink to a substrate with dip-pen nanolithographic (DPN) stamp tips coated with polymer (e.g., polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), etc.). This kind of tip adsorbs chemicals ('inks') easily and is used to generate DPN nanopatterns that are imaged with the same tip after a DPN process. This method builds a bridge between micro-contact printing (&#x3bc;CP) and DPN, making it possible for one to easily generate smaller structures of any molecules that have been patterned by the &#x3bc;CP technique. The easy tip-coating and writing process enriches the state-of-the-art DPN technique. The sub-100 nm DPN resolution obtained by using this kind of novel tip is comparable to that with a conventional SiNprobe tip. Importantly, the unique stamp tip was able to transfer solvent (e.g., liquid 'ink') onto a substrate, resulting in fabrication of hollow nanostructures with only one DPN holding/writing step. Inks comprising metals and sol-gel materials are noted, as well as applications in photomask repair, enhancement, and fabrication.

Direct-write nanolithography method of transporting ink with an elastomeric polymer coated nanoscopic tip to form a structure having internal hollows on a substrate

A method for producing carbon nanotubes, the method comprising: (a) providing a substrate with a top surface, (b) forming an island of catalyst material on the top surface using a tip having a patterning compound thereon, (c) heating the substrate and catalyst island, and (d) contacting the catalyst island with a carbon-containing gas for a period of time sufficient to form the nanotubes on the catalyst island.

Apparatus, materials, and methods for fabrication and catalysis

Nanolithographic deposition of metallic nanostructures using coated tips for use in microelectronics, catalysis, and diagnostics. AFM tips can be coated with metallic precursors and the precursors patterned on substrates. The patterned precursors can be converted to the metallic state with application of heat. High resolution and excellent alignment can be achieved.

Processes for fabricating conductive patterns using nanolithography as a patterning tool

Growing community of inventors

Evanston, IL, United States of America

Linette Demers