| Recent
Patents on Nanotechnology
ISSN: 1872-2105
Recent Patents on Nanotechnology
Volume 1, Number 2, June 2007
Contents
Recent Patent in Semiconductor Nanocluster Floating
Gate Flash Memory Pp. 91-97
Jiyan Y. Dai and Pui-Fai Lee
[Abstract]
Nanomaterial Based Affinity Matrix-Assisted Laser
Desorption/Ionization Mass Spectrometry for Biomolecules and
Pathogenic Bacteria Pp. 99-111
Tai-Chia Chiu, Li-Shing Huang, Po-Chiao Lin, Yu-Chie Chen,
Yu-Ju Chen, Chun-Cheng Lin and Huan-Tsung Chang
[Abstract]
Carbon Based Sample Supports and Matrices for Laser
Desorption/ Ionization Mass Spectrometry Pp. 113-119
Matthias Rainer, Muhammad Najam-ul-Haq, Christian W. Huck,
Rainer M. Vallant, Nico Heigl, Hans Hahn, Rania Bakry and
Günther K. Bonn
[Abstract]
Hydrothermal Synthesis of Nanostructures
Pp. 121-128
Aleksandra B. Djurisic, Yan Y. Xi, Yan F. Hsu and Wai
K. Chan
[Abstract]
Fabrication of Quasi-One-Dimensional Superconducting
Micro and Nanostructures Pp. 129-135
Konstantin Arutyunov
[Abstract]
Nanofiber Patent Landscape Pp. 137-144
Michelle Ngiam, Seeram Ramakrishna, Michael Raghunath
and Casey K. Chan
[Abstract]
The Development of Nano-Modified Ti(C,N) Cermets
Pp. 145-162
Chunlan Rong, Wenling Chen, Xiaobo Zhang and Ning Liu
[Abstract]
Patent Selections Pp. 163-168
Abstracts
[Back to top]
Recent Patent in Semiconductor Nanocluster Floating Gate
Flash Memory
Jiyan Y. Dai and Pui-Fai Lee
Nanoclusters (NC) as charge storage nodes have been applied
in nonvolatile, high-speed, high-density and low-power memory
devices. Compared with conventional floating gate memory,
where a layer of poly-Si is used for charge storage, a memory
device composed of nanoclusters isolated by dielectrics benefits
from a relatively low operating voltage, high endurance, fast
write-erase speeds and better immunity to soft errors due
to the quantum confinement and Coulomb blockade effects. Recent
patents in this field have proposed several innovated structures
and fabrication methods for nanocluster based floating gate
flash memory and single-electron memory devices.
[Back to top]
Nanomaterial Based Affinity Matrix-Assisted Laser
Desorption/Ionization Mass Spectrometry for Biomolecules and
Pathogenic Bacteria
Tai-Chia Chiu, Li-Shing Huang, Po-Chiao Lin, Yu-Chie Chen,
Yu-Ju Chen, Chun-Cheng Lin and Huan-Tsung Chang
This paper describes mass spectrometry (MS) using nanoparticles
(NPs) for the analysis of biomolecules such as aminothiol
compounds, drugs, peptides, proteins, and bacteria. Papers
and patents dealing with preparation and use of several NPs
in MS have been briefly reviewed, including carbon nanotubes,
gold NPs, and magnetic NPs. The NPs or bioconjugated NPs were
used for selective concentration and/or assisted matrices
for desorption and ionization of analytes of interest. When
compared to conventional organic matrixes, the NPs provide
low MS background in low-mass region and low shot-to-shot
variation. MS techniques using NPs and bioconjugated NPs for
the analysis of disease-associated biomarkers and bacteria
in real samples such as blood and urine are highlighted, showing
the advantages of high sensitivity, reproducibility, and simplicity.
[Back to top]
Carbon Based Sample Supports and Matrices for Laser
Desorption/ Ionization Mass Spectrometry
Matthias Rainer, Muhammad Najam-ul-Haq, Christian W. Huck,
Rainer M. Vallant, Nico Heigl, Hans Hahn, Rania Bakry and
Günther K. Bonn
Laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry (LDI-MS) is
a widespread and powerful technique for mass analysis allowing
the soft ionization of molecules such as peptides, proteins
and carbohydrates. In many applications, an energy absorbing
matrix has to be added to the analytes in order to protect
them from being fragmented by direct laser beam. LDI-MS in
conjunction with matrix is commonly referred as matrix-assisted
LDI (MALDI). One of the striking disadvantages of this method
is the desorption of matrix molecules, which causes interferences
originating from matrix background ions in lower mass range
(< 1000 Da). This has been led to the development of a
variety of different carbon based LDI sample supports, which
are capable of absorbing laser light and simultaneously transfering
energy to the analytes for desorption. Furthermore carbon
containing sample supports are used as carrier materials for
the specific binding and preconcentration of molecules out
of complex samples. Their subsequent analysis with MALDI mass
spectrometry allows performing studies in metabolomics and
proteomics. Finally a thin layer of carbon significantly improves
sensitivity concerning detection limit. Analytes in low femtomole
and attomole range can be detected in this regard. In the
present article, these aspects are reviewed from patents where
nano-based carbon materials are comprehensively utilized.
[Back to top]
Hydrothermal Synthesis of Nanostructures
Aleksandra B. Djurisic, Yan Y. Xi, Yan F. Hsu and Wai
K. Chan
The hydrothermal method for nanostructure synthesis is of
considerable interest for practical applications since it
is a low cost, environmentally friendly technique which can
be used on large area and/or flexible substrates, as well
as fabrication of free standing nanostructures. The low substrate
temperature enables compatibility with temperature sensitive
substrates such as plastics or textiles, while fabrication
of aligned nanorods on substrates is possible with substrate
pretreatment to control the nucleation. Up to date, hydrothermal
synthesis of a number of different materials has been demonstrated.
In this review, we will provide an overview of the relevant
issues concerning hydrothermal synthesis of different nanostructured
materials.
[Back to top]
Fabrication of Quasi-One-Dimensional Superconducting
Micro and Nanostructures
Konstantin Arutyunov
Wires capable of conducting electric current are basic blocks
of all electronic applications. Of particular interest for
nanoelectronics are superconducting elements taking advantage
of the superconductor’s macroscopic quantum coherence
and zero resistance. Recently there appeared indications that
due to quantum fluctuations the dissipationless electric current
(supercurrent) can be suppressed in ultra-narrow superconducting
channels with the effective diameter below ~ 10 nm. In this
Review we will describe methods of fabrication of quasi-one-dimensional
superconducting micro- and nanowires suitable for electric
transport measurements at cryogenic temperatures. In the first
section we will concentrate on structures with characteristic
cross-section ~ 1 μm,
while in the second section we will focus on much narrower
systems down to sub-10 nm scales.
[Back to top]
Nanofiber Patent Landscape
Michelle Ngiam, Seeram Ramakrishna, Michael Raghunath
and Casey K. Chan
Despite the large number of publications in peer review literature
in the field of nanofibers, there is still uncertainty as
to what aspects of these research results have commercial
applications. In an effort to better understand the technological
progress made in the field of nanofibers, we surveyed the
patents issued in the United States from 1976 up to end 2006.
The present review will provide an overall view of the current
patent landscape including trends and key applications. Key
assignees and key inventors were identified and their contributions
were discussed. Patents were identified using keywords such
as nanofibers, ultrafine, and electrospinning. After patents
were downloaded, we reviewed each patent for relevancy and
identified 100 patents to be related to nanofibers. 75% of
the current issued patents on nanofibers are directed at either
fabrication methods or the use of nanofibers in filtration
systems. The patent data indicates that medical applications
and medical products using nanofibers appear to be the emerging
application for nanofibers. We anticipate a growing number
of patents on novel applications for nanofiber would originate
from academic centers in the future.
[Back to top]
The Development of Nano-Modified Ti(C,N) Cermets
Chunlan Rong, Wenling Chen, Xiaobo Zhang and Ning Liu
The unique combination of mechanical properties such
as excellent wear resistance and good chemical stability at
elevated temperature helps titanium carbonitride based (Ti
(C, N)-based) cermets to play an important roles in metal
cutting operations. Nowadays, cermets cutting tools are widely
used for semi-finishing and finishing works on steel and cast
iron. However, their brittleness is still an unavoidable limitation
for their utilization. With the development of nano-technology,
nano-modified cermets have received more attention due to
the high toughening enhancements. In this review, the development
of nano-modified Ti(C,N) cermets is discussed including the
fabrication, microstructure, mechanical properties, cutting
performance and the practical applications in different fields.
Many patents having important effect on the development of
cermets were noticed, too.
|
