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US 7,077,939 B1Granted
Method and apparatus for nanoparticle transport and detection
AssigneeThe Texas A&M University System
InventorsRichard M. Crooks, Li Sun
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
According to one embodiment an apparatus includes a membrane and at least a portion of a nanotube imbedded within the membrane. The portion of the nanotube imbedded within the membrane provides a conduit through the membrane.
Claims26
An apparatus comprising:
- a membrane;
- a nanotube embedded within the membrane and providing a conduit through the membrane, the ends of the nanotube being flush with respective surfaces of the membrane;
- and
- wherein the nanotube is a carbon nanotube.
1 more element
A method of forming a membrane having a small hole disposed therein comprising:
- surrounding at least a portion of a nanotube with a material;
- and
- sectioning the material and the nanotube to produce the membrane having the small hole disposed therein.
A method of forming a membrane having a small hole disposed therein comprising:
- surrounding at least a portion of a nanotube with a liquid or gaseous material;
- allowing the liquid or gaseous material to solidify around the nanotube;
- and
- removing by chemical oxidation the at least a portion of the nanotube from the solidified material, leaving the membrane having the small hole disposed therein.
1 more element
A method for detecting particles comprising:
- providing a membrane having a portion of a nanotube disposed therein that provides a conduit through the membrane;
- allowing the particles to pass through the membrane through the conduit of the nanotube;
- detecting the passage of the particles through the conduit of the nanotube;
- and
- wherein allowing the particles to pass through the membrane through the conduit of the nanotube comprises applying a pressure differential across the membrane.
2 more elements
A method for delivering a liquid material to a desired location comprising:
- providing a nanotube holder between the liquid material and the desired location, the nanotube holder having a portion of a nanotube disposed therein that provides a conduit through the holder;
- and
- forcing the liquid material through the holder to the desired location by forcing the liquid material through the conduit of the nanotube.
A method for delivering material to a desired location comprising:
- providing a nanotube holder between the material and the desired location, the nanotube holder having a portion of a nanotube disposed therein that provides a conduit through the holder;
- applying a pressure differential across the conduit of the nanotube to force the material through the holder to the desired location by forcing the material through the conduit of the nanotube;
- and
- wherein the material comprises a liquid.
1 more element
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.