Method for shaping a nanotube and a nanotube shaped thereby
AssigneeThe Regents of the University of California
InventorsJohn P. Cumings, Alex K. Zettl
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Abstract
The invention relates to a method for shaping small three-dimensional articles such as nanotube exhibiting a layered structure through material removal such that the article is controllably shaped to exhibit a desired contour. Typically, material removal does not require use of a chemical etchant and is carried out while the article and a shaping electrode are positioned in contact material removal relationship with under a potential difference. The invention also relates to nanotubes and small three-dimensional articles exhibiting a layered structure having a controllably shaped contour.
Claims47
A method for shaping a nanotube, comprising using a shaping electrode to remove material from a portion of a nanotube such that the nanotube is controllably shaped to exhibit a desired contour, wherein material removal is carried out while the nanotube and the shaping electrode are under a potential difference.
The method of claim 6, wherein the potential difference is no more than about 5 volts.
The method of claim 7, wherein the potential difference is about 0.5 to about 3.0 volts.
A method for shaping a three-dimensional solid article, comprising using a shaping electrode comprising a nanotube to remove material from a portion of a three-dimensional solid article such that the solid article is controllably shaped to exhibit a desired contour, wherein material removal is carried out while the solid article and the shaping electrode are under a potential difference.
A method for shaping a nanotube, comprising removing material from a portion of a nanotube through controlled application of energy until the nanotube exhibits a desired contour, wherein material removal is carried out without need for a chemical etchant.
A nanotube having a controllably shaped contour and a varying cross-sectional dimension along the longitudinal axis.
A three-dimensional object comprising a material having a layered structure and having a controllably shaped exterior contour, wherein at least one dimension of the solid article does not exceed about 100 nm in length.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.