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US 7,682,523 B2Granted
Fluorescent security ink using carbon nanotubes
AssigneeWilliam Marsh Rice University
InventorsR. Bruce Weisman, Sergei M. Bachilo, Eric Christopher Booth
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The present invention is directed toward fluorescent inks and markers comprising carbon nanotubes. The present invention is also directed toward methods of making such inks and markers and to methods of using such inks and markers, especially for security applications (e.g., anti-counterfeiting). Such inks and markers rely on the unique fluorescent properties of semiconducting carbon nanotubes.
Claims14
A fluorescent ink, comprising:
- a solvent;
- a surfactant;
- and
- carbon nanotubes suspended in the solvent;
- wherein the carbon nanotubes are dispersed in the solvent;
- wherein the carbon nanotubes are fluorescent and have diameters of less than about 3 nm;
- and
- wherein the carbon nanotubes have a visible excitation and an emission following the visible excitation;
- and
- wherein the fluorescent ink is suitable for deposition on a surface.
7 more elements
A fluorescent ink, comprising:
- a solvent;
- wherein the solvent is selected from the group consisting of water, organic solvents, supercritical fluids and combinations thereof;
- a surfactant;
- and
- single-wall carbon nanotubes suspended in the solvent;
- wherein the single-wall carbon nanotubes are dispersed in the solvent;
- wherein the single-wall carbon nanotubes are fluorescent and have diameters of less than about 3 nm;
- and
- wherein the single-wall carbon nanotubes have a visible excitation and an emission following the visible excitation;
- and
- wherein the fluorescent ink is suitable for deposition on a surface.
8 more elements
A fluorescent ink, comprising:
- a solvent;
- and
- carbon nanotubes suspended in the solvent;
- wherein the carbon nanotubes are homogenized by electronic type;
- wherein the carbon nanotubes are dispersed in the solvent;
- wherein the carbon nanotubes are fluorescent and have diameters of less than about 3 nm;
- and
- wherein the carbon nanotubes have a visible excitation and an emission following the visible excitation;
- and
- wherein the fluorescent ink is suitable for deposition on a surface.
7 more elements
A fluorescent ink, comprising:
- a solvent;
- and
- single-wall carbon nanotubes suspended in the solvent;
- wherein the single-wall carbon nanotubes are dispersed in the solvent;
- wherein the single-wall carbon nanotubes are fluorescent and have diameters of less than about 3 nm;
- and
- wherein the single-wall carbon nanotubes have a visible excitation and an emission following the visible excitation;
- and
- wherein the fluorescent ink is suitable for deposition on a surface;
- and
- wherein the fluorescent ink comprises an invisible ink.
8 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.