Methods and systems for separating carbon nanotubes
OwnerWilliam Fitzhughinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Methods and systems for separating carbon nanotubes are provided. An exemplary method of separating semiconducting carbon nanotubes and metallic carbon nanotubes contained within a solution can include providing electromagnetic waves travelling in one or more resonance modes and scattering at least a portion of the electromagnetic waves to form an electric gradient with the scattered waves. The method can further include recycling at least a portion of the scattered waves to the one or more resonance modes and separating at least a portion of the semiconducting carbon nanotubes and the metallic carbon nanotubes using the electric gradient.
Claims24
A method of separating semiconducting carbon nanotubes and metallic carbon nanotubes contained within a solution, comprising:
- a. providing electromagnetic waves travelling in one or more resonance modes;
- b. scattering at least a portion of the electromagnetic waves to form an electric gradient with the scattered waves;
- c. recycling at least a portion of the scattered waves to the one or more resonance modes;
- and
- d. separating at least a portion of the semiconducting carbon nanotubes from the metallic carbon nanotubes using the electric gradient.
A system for separating semiconducting carbon nanotubes and metallic carbon nanotubes within a cavity having a certain length, comprising:
- a. a wave source, adapted for placement within the cavity, for providing electromagnetic waves to the cavity, wherein at least a portion of the electromagnetic waves travel in a resonance mode;
- b. a concentrating apparatus, adapted for placement within the cavity, for scattering the electromagnetic waves;
- and
- c. a sample chamber, within the concentrating apparatus, wherein:
- i. the sample chamber comprises a solution comprising the semiconducting carbon nanotubes and the metallic carbon nanotubes;
- and
- ii. at least a portion of the scattered waves travel through the sample chamber.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.