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.

Date of Patent:
Mar. 11, 2008

Filed:

Mar. 21, 2005
Applicants:

Brian C. Regan, Oakland, CA (US);

Shaul Aloni, Albany, CA (US);

Alexander K. Zettl, Kensington, CA (US);

Inventors:

Brian C. Regan, Oakland, CA (US);

Shaul Aloni, Albany, CA (US);

Alexander K. Zettl, Kensington, CA (US);

Assignee:
Attorney:
Primary Examiner:
Int. Cl.
CPC ...
G01N 27/447 (2006.01); G01N 27/453 (2006.01);
U.S. Cl.
CPC ...
Abstract

A mass transport method and device for individually delivering chargeable atoms or molecules from source particles is disclosed. It comprises a channel; at least one source particle of chargeable material fixed to the surface of the channel at a position along its length; a means of heating the channel; and a means for applying an controllable electric field along the channel, whereby the device transports the atoms or molecules along the channel in response to applied electric field. In a preferred embodiment, the mass transport device will comprise a multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWNT), although other one dimensional structures may also be used. The MWNT or other structure acts as a channel for individual or small collections of atoms due to the atomic smoothness of the material. Also preferred is a source particle of a metal such as indium. The particles move by dissociation into small units, in some cases, individual atoms. The particles are preferably less than 100 nm in size.


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