The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Aug. 17, 2004
Filed:
Mar. 18, 2003
Other;
Abstract
A method for sharpening a nanotube including the steps of: connecting the base end portion of a nanotube to an electrode with the tip end portion of the nanotube protruded from the electrode; connecting the tip end portion of the nanotube to another electrode; applying a voltage between the electrodes so as to cause an electric current to flow in the middle portion of the nanotube which is located between the two electrodes; evaporating constituent atoms of the nanotube layer by layer from a evaporation starting region, which is located in the middle region of the nanotube (and can be a crystal defect region, or a curved portion), by the heat generated by the electric current, thus reducing the diameter of the evaporation starting region; and cutting the evaporation starting region that has the reduced diameter, thus forming a sharpened end on the nanotube.