US 6,294,401 B1 · Nanoparticle-based electrical, chemical, and mechanical structures and methods of making same

Abstract

Nanoparticles are utilized to create, through deposition and patterning, functional electronic, electromechanical, and mechanical systems. At sizes ranging from 1 to 999 nm, the ratio of surface atoms to interior atoms becomes non-negligible, and particle properties therefore lie between those of the bulk and atomic materials. Monodisperse (i.e., uniformly sized) or polydisperse nanoparticles can form stable colloids or suspensions in appropriate dispersing media, facilitating their deposition and processing in a liquid state. As a result, printing technology can be utilized to deposit and pattern nanoparticles for mass production or for personal desktop manufacturing.

Claims14

Dependent claims

A method of fabricating an active component comprised of portions consisting of different materials, at least one of the materials being in the form of nanoparticles dispersed in a carrier, the nanoparticles (i) comprising an inorganic core surrounded by organic capping groups, (ii) having a submicron size, and (iii) differing from a bulk material of identical composition in at least one physical property, the method comprising the steps of:

a. applying the materials onto a substrate in a succession of layers which, in sum, define a selected activity of the component, the activity including at least one of electrical activity, mechanical activity, chemical activity, electromechanical activity, electromagnetic activity and optical activity, each layer representing a portion of the component;
b. immobilizing the nanoparticles to form at least one uniform layer thereof;
and
c. removing the organic capping group.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Nanoparticle-based electrical, chemical, and mechanical structures and methods of making same

Life of this patent

Nanoparticle-based electrical, chemical, and mechanical structures and methods of making same

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims14