Recent Patents on Nanotechnology

ISSN: 1872-2105

Recent Patents on Nanotechnology
Volume 1, Number 3, November 2007

Contents


P-Wave-Enhanced Spin Field Effect Transistor and Recent Patents Pp.169-175
Ming-Hong Gau, Ikai Lo, Wan-Tsang Wang, Jih-Chen Chiang and Mitch Ming-Chi Chou
[Abstract]


Carbon Nanotube Reinforced Ceramic Composites and their Performance Pp. 176-185
Joseph A. Arsecularatne and Liangchi C. Zhang
[Abstract]


Silicon Based Materials for Drug Delivery Devices and Implants Pp. 186-192
Delia. L. Bernik
[Abstract]


Recent Patents on Cu/low-k Dielectrics Interconnects in Integrated Circuits Pp. 193-209
Qing Jiang, Yong F. Zhu and Ming Zhao
[Abstract]


Recent Progress and Challenges in Nanotechnology for Biomedical Applications: An Insight into the Analysis of Neurotransmitters Pp. 210-223
Dhesingh R. Shankaran and Norio Miura
[Abstract]


Advances in the Chemical Fabrication of Complex Multimaterial Nanocrystals Pp. 224-232
Raffaella Buonsanti, Marianna Casavola, Gianvito Caputo and Pantaleo Davide Cozzoli
[Abstract]


Trends in the Human Embryonic Stem Cell Patent Field Pp. 233-237
Ulrika Karlsson, Johan Hyllner and Kristina Runeberg
[Abstract]


Recent Progress of Carbon Nanotube Field Emitters and their Application Pp. 238-244
Raghunandan Seelaboyina and Wonbong Choi
[Abstract]


Patent Selections Pp. 245




Abstracts


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P-Wave-Enhanced Spin Field Effect Transistor and Recent Patents
Ming-Hong Gau, Ikai Lo, Wan-Tsang Wang, Jih-Chen Chiang and Mitch Ming-Chi Chou

P-wave-enhanced spin field-effect transistor made of AlGaN/GaN heterostructure was designed for the spintronic devices operated at high power and high temperature. The operation theory is based on the spin-polarized field-effect transistor designed by Datta and Das [Appl. Phys. Lett. 56, 665 (1990)]. The mechanism of the p-wave enhancement in AlGaN/GaN heterostructure was investigated. The recent development and related patents in the spin-polarized field-effect transistor were reviewed. In particular, we will focus on the recent patents which could enhance p-wave probability and control of spin precession of 2DEG in the AlGaN/GaN transistor structure.


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Carbon Nanotube Reinforced Ceramic Composites and their Performance
Joseph A. Arsecularatne and Liangchi C. Zhang

Carbon nanotubes are considered as excellent reinforcements for improving the properties of ceramic composites. This paper reviews the reported techniques for the preparation of various ceramic coated CNTs, CNT-ceramic composites, CNT-ceramic composite coatings, etc. It is noted that a wide range of techniques have been used to fabricate these composites. Their characterisation has revealed that considerable improvements in electrical/thermal properties can be achieved, but only a few studies have demonstrated significant improvements in macro-scale mechanical properties of ceramics such as fracture toughness.


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Silicon Based Materials for Drug Delivery Devices and Implants
Delia. L. Bernik

This patent review focuses on silicon based materials for drug delivery systems and implant devices devoted to medical applications. The article describes some representative examples of the most depictive silicon based compounds associated with drug release formulations and tissue engineering biomaterials. Ranging from inorganic to organic and hybrid inorganic-organic silicon compounds, the paper referrers to patents describing inventions which make use of the best properties of silicon dioxide, silica aerogel and xerogel, silicon bioactive materials, silicones and ormosils, pointing out the usefulness of each kind of compound within the invention embodiment.


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Recent Patents on Cu/low-k Dielectrics Interconnects in Integrated Circuits
Qing Jiang, Yong F. Zhu and Ming Zhao

In past decades, the development of microelectronics has moved along with constant speed of scaling to maximize transistor density as driven by the need for electrical and functional performance. For further development, the propagation velocity of electromagnetic waves becomes increasingly important due to their unyielding constraints on interconnect delay. To minimize it, it was forced to the introduction of the Cu/low-k dielectric interconnects to very large scale integrated circuits (VLSI) where k denotes the dielectric constant. In addition, reliable barrier structures, which are the thinnest part among the device parts to maximize space availability for the actual Cu IWs, are required to prevent penetration of different materials. In light of the above statements, this review will focus recent patents and some studies on Cu interconnects including Cu interconnect wires, low-k dielectrics and related barrier materials as well manufacturing techniques in VLSI, which are one of the most essential concerns in microelectronic industry and decides the further development of VLSI. In addition, possible future development in this field is considered.


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Recent Progress and Challenges in Nanotechnology for Biomedical Applications: An Insight into the Analysis of Neurotransmitters
Dhesingh R. Shankaran and Norio Miura

Nanotechnology offers exciting opportunities and unprecedented compatibilities in manipulating chemical and biological materials at the atomic or molecular scale for the development of novel functional materials with enhanced capabilities. It plays a central role in the recent technological advances in biomedical technology, especially in the areas of disease diagnosis, drug design and drug delivery. In this review, we present the recent trend and challenges in the development of nanomaterials for biomedical applications with a special emphasis on the analysis of neurotransmitters. Neurotransmitters are the chemical messengers which transform information and signals all over the body. They play prime role in functioning of the central nervous system (CNS) and governs most of the metabolic functions including movement, pleasure, pain, mood, emotion, thinking, digestion, sleep, addiction, fear, anxiety and depression. Thus, development of high-performance and user-friendly analytical methods for ultra-sensitive detection of neurotransmitters remain a major challenge in modern biomedical analysis. Nanostructured materials are emerging as a powerful mean for diagnosis of CNS disorders because of their unique optical, size and surface characteristics. This review provides a brief outline on the basic concepts and recent advancements of nanotechnology for biomedical applications, especially in the analysis of neurotransmitters. A brief introduction to the nanomaterials, bionanotechnology and neurotransmitters is also included along with discussions on most of the patents published in these areas.


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Advances in the Chemical Fabrication of Complex Multimaterial Nanocrystals
Raffaella Buonsanti, Marianna Casavola, Gianvito Caputo and Pantaleo Davide Cozzoli

In this work, recent achievements of nanochemistry research in the fabrication of colloidal nanoheterostructures are reviewed through revisiting relevant papers and related patents. Attention is focused on newly conceived generations of hybrid nanocrystals (HNCs) with a topologically controlled composition, in which size and shape tailored domains of different inorganic materials are permanently assembled together in a single multifunctional particle. Strategies for accessing HNCs in various configurations, such as core/shell systems, hetero-oligomers based on nearly spherical portions, and highly asymmetric nanostructures comprising joint sections with different shapes, are discussed. The chemical-physical properties and technological advantages offered by such complex nanocrystals are also highlighted.


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Trends in the Human Embryonic Stem Cell Patent Field
Ulrika Karlsson, Johan Hyllner and Kristina Runeberg

The successful derivation of human embryonic stem (hES) cell lines in late 1990s marks the birth of a new era in biomedical research. In the USA, this landmark invention is protected by granted composition-of-matter patents. In addition to these patents, several others have been granted on further development of hES cell research, such as on differentiated cell types and in vitro and in vivo use aspects. In Europe, there is presently no consensus pertaining to the patentability of hES cells, and all patent applications pending at the European patent office are therefore awaiting a principal decision by the Enlarged Board of Appeal. The authors argue that it will be of importance to the stem cell industry that patents are granted on inventions downstream in the value chain, e.g on specialised cell types derived from hES cells and different drug discovery applications. Patents and patent applications on such inventions for the three germ layers ectoderm/neuro, endoderm/hepato and mesoderm/cardio have been examined. The number of patents increased in the period 2001 to 2006 for all three lineages with ectoderm/neuro as the most patent intensive field. There where 9-13 times more US patent applications filed related to the three lineages compared to in Europe.


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Recent Progress of Carbon Nanotube Field Emitters and their Application
Raghunandan Seelaboyina and Wonbong Choi

The potential of utilizing carbon nanotube field emission properties is an attractive feature for future vacuum electronic devices including: high power microwave, miniature x-ray, backlight for liquid crystal displays and flat panel displays. Their high emission current, nano scale geometry, chemical inertness and low threshold voltage for emission are attractive features for the field emission applications. In this paper we review the recent developments of carbon nanotube field emitters and their device applications. We also discuss the latest results on field emission current amplification achieved with an electron multiplier microchannel plate, and emission performance of multistage field emitter based on oxide nanowire operated in poor vacuum.