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US 7,056,409 B2Granted
Structures, systems and methods for joining articles and materials and uses therefor
AssigneeNanosys, Inc.
InventorRobert Dubrow
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
This invention provides novel nanofibers and nanofiber structures which posses adherent properties, as well as the use of such nanofibers and nanofiber comprising structures in the coupling and/or joining together of articles or materials.
Claims22
A method of joining two or more articles, the method comprising:
- i) providing a first article having at least a first surface;
- ii) providing at least a second article having at least a first surface;
- and,
- iii) providing a layer of silicon nanofibers disposed between the first surface of the first article and the first surface of the at least second article, whereby the nanofibers contact the first surface of the first article at a plurality of contact points and the first surface of the at least second article at a plurality of contact points, wherein at least a portion of the plurality of nanofibers contacts the first surface of the first and second articles on a side surface of said nanofibers wherein the contacting creates van der Waals forces between the nanofibers and the first surface of the first and second articles, such that the van der Waals forces between the nanofibers and the first surface of the first article and the first surface of the at least second article are sufficient to adhere the articles together.
1 more element
A method of adhering two or more surfaces, the method comprising:
- i.) providing a first surface comprising a plurality of silicon nanofibers attached thereto;
- ii.) providing at least a second surface;
- and,
- iii.) contacting the first surface and the at least second surface, wherein at least a portion of the plurality of nanofibers contacts the second surface on a side surface of said nanofibers wherein the contacting creates van der Waals forces between the nanofibers and the second surface which van der Waals forces are sufficient to adhere the surfaces together.
1 more element
A method of joining two or more articles, the method comprising:
- i) providing a first article having at least a first surface, wherein the first surface comprises a plurality of silicon nanofibers attached thereto,
- ii) providing at least a second article having at least a first surface which does not comprise nanofibers;
- iii) mating the first surface of the second article with the plurality of nanofibers on the first surface of the first article, whereby the nanofibers contact the first surface of the second article at a plurality of contact points, wherein at least a portion of the plurality of nanofibers contacts the second surface on a side surface of said nanofibers wherein the contacting creates van der Waals forces between the nanofibers and the second surface, such that the van der Waals forces between the nanofibers and the first surface of the second article are sufficient to adhere the first article to the second article.
An adhesive device, the device comprising:
- i) a first article having at least a first surface;
- ii) at least a second article having at least a first surface;
- and,
- iii) a layer of silicon nanofibers disposed between the first surface of the first article and the first surface of the at least second article, whereby the nanofibers contact the first surface of the first article at a plurality of contact points and the first surface of the at least second article at a plurality of contact points, wherein at least a portion of the plurality of contact points are on a side surface of said nanofibers wherein the contacting creates van der Waals forces between the nanofibers and the first surface of the first and second articles, such that the van der Waals forces between the nanofibers and the first surface of the first article and the first surface of the at least second article are sufficient to adhere the articles together.
1 more element
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.