Method and apparatus for attaching nanostructure-containing material onto a sharp tip of an object and related articles
AssigneesThe University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Xintek, Inc.
InventorsOtto Z. Zhou, Bo Gao, Guozhen Yue, Soojin Oh
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method for attaching nanostructure-containing material onto a sharp tip of an object includes forming a suspension of pre-formed nanostructure-containing material in a liquid medium. An electrode is immersed in the suspension. The sharp tip of the object is arranged to be in contact with the suspension. A voltage is applied to the immersed electrode and to the sharp tip. The nanostructure-containing material attaches to the sharp tip of the object.
Claims13
A method of attaching carbon nanotubes and/or nanowires onto a sharp tip by an electrophoresis process, the method comprising the successive steps of:
- providing an object with a sharp, pointed tip;
- forming a suspension containing at least one of a carbon nanotube or nanowire, wherein the suspension has a surface;
- immersing an electrode in the suspension;
- placing the sharp tip of the object perpendicular to and directly above the surface of the suspension;
- applying a voltage between the immersed electrode and the sharp tip;
- moving the sharp tip toward the surface of the suspension until electrical contact is established between the immersed electrode and the sharp tip;
- allowing current to pass between the immersed electrode and the sharp tip for a predetermined amount of time, wherein the carbon nanotube or nanowire attaches to the sharp tip and remains permanently attached after the application of voltage is discontinued;
- and
- raising the sharp tip above the surface of the suspension after expiration of the predetermined amount of time.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.