R-3 Repository :: Browsing by Author "Halas, Nancy J."

Browsing by Author "Halas, Nancy J."

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All optical nanoscale sensor
(2011-10-25) Halas, Nancy J.; Johnson, Don H.; Bishnoi, Sandra Whaley; Levin, Carly S.; Rozell, Christopher John; Johnson, Bruce R.; Rice University; United States Patent and Trademark Office
A composition comprising a nanoparticle and at least one adsorbate associated with the nanoparticle, wherein the adsorbate displays at least one chemically responsive optical property. A method comprising associating an adsorbate with a nanoparticle, wherein the nanoparticle comprises a shell surrounding a core material with a lower conductivity than the shell material and the adsorbate displays at least one chemically responsive optical property, and engineering the nanoparticle to enhance the optical property of the adsorbate. A method comprising determining an optical response of an adsorbate associated with a nanoparticle as a function of a chemical parameter, and parameterizing the optical response to produce a one-dimensional representation of at least a portion of a spectral window of the optical response in a high dimensional vector space.
Cooling systems and hybrid A/C systems using an electromagnetic radiation-absorbing complex
(2015-05-19) Halas, Nancy J.; Nordlander, Peter; Neumann, Oara; Rice University; United States Patent and Trademark Office
A method for powering a cooling unit. The method including applying electromagnetic (EM) radiation to a complex, where the complex absorbs the EM radiation to generate heat, transforming, using the heat generated by the complex, a fluid to vapor, and sending the vapor from the vessel to a turbine coupled to a generator by a shaft, where the vapor causes the turbine to rotate, which turns the shaft and causes the generator to generate the electric power, wherein the electric powers supplements the power needed to power the cooling unit.
Cross antennas for surface-enhanced infrared absorption (SEIRA) spectroscopy of chemical moieties
(2016-06-21) Brown, Lisa V.; Zhao, Ke; Halas, Nancy J.; Nordlander, Peter J.; Rice University; United States Patent and Trademark Office
A device for Surface Enhanced Infrared Absorption (SEIRA) that includes at least one pair of metallic antennas deposited on a substrate, wherein the pair of metallic antennas are collinear. The length, width, and height of the metallic antenna determines an infrared absorption of the pair of metallic antennas. The device also includes a gap located between the pair of metallic antennas. A chemical moiety is disposed on at least a portion of the metallic antennas such that the infrared absorption of the chemical moiety is enhanced by the at least one pair of metallic antennas.
Electricity generation using electromagnetic radiation
(2017-08-22) Halas, Nancy J.; Nordlander, Peter; Neumann, Oara; Rice University; United States Patent and Trademark Office
In general, in one aspect, the invention relates to a system to create vapor for generating electric power. The system includes a vessel comprising a fluid and a complex and a turbine. The vessel of the system is configured to concentrate EM radiation received from an EM radiation source. The vessel of the system is further configured to apply the EM radiation to the complex, where the complex absorbs the EM radiation to generate heat. The vessel of the system is also configured to transform, using the heat generated by the complex, the fluid to vapor. The vessel of the system is further configured to sending the vapor to a turbine. The turbine of the system is configured to receive, from the vessel, the vapor used to generate the electric power.
Fluorinated nanodiamond as a precursor for solid substrate surface coating using wet chemistry
(2011-08-23) Khabashesku, Valery N.; Liu, Yu; Halas, Nancy J.; Rice University; United States Patent and Trademark Office
The present invention is directed to nanodiamond (ND) surface coatings and methods of making same. Such coatings are formed by a covalent linkage of ND crystals to a particular surface via linker species. The methods described herein overcome many of the limitations of the prior art in that they can be performed with standard wet chemistry (i.e., solution-based) methods, thereby permitting low temperature processing. Additionally, such coatings can potentially be applied on a large scale and for coating large areas of a variety of different substrates.
Fluorinated nanodiamond as a precursor for solid substrate surface coating using wet chemistry
(2010-12-28) Khabashesku, Valery N.; Liu, Yu; Halas, Nancy J.; Rice University; United States Patent and Trademark Office
The present invention is directed to nanodiamond (ND) surface coatings and methods of making same. Such coatings are formed by a covalent linkage of ND crystals to a particular surface via linker species. The methods described herein overcome many of the limitations of the prior art in that they can be performed with standard wet chemistry (i.e., solution-based) methods, thereby permitting low temperature processing. Additionally, such coatings can potentially be applied on a large scale and for coating large areas of a variety of different substrates.
Fully integrated CMOS-compatible photodetector with color selectivity and intrinsic gain
(2017-10-31) Zheng, Bob Yi; Wang, Yumin; Halas, Nancy J.; Nordlander, Peter; Rice University; United States Patent and Trademark Office
A metal-semiconductor-metal photodetecting device and method of manufacturing a metal-semiconductor-metal photodetecting device that includes a p-type silicon substrate with an oxide layer disposed on the p-type silicon substrate. Schotty junctions are disposed adjacent to the oxide layer on the p-type silicon substrate and a plasmonic grating disposed on the oxide layer. The plasmonic grating provides wavelength range selectability for the photodetecting device.
Generating a heated fluid using an electromagnetic radiation-absorbing complex
(2018-01-09) Halas, Nancy J.; Nordlander, Peter; Neumann, Oara; Rice University; United States Patent and Trademark Office
A vessel including a concentrator configured to concentrate electromagnetic (EM) radiation received from an EM radiation source and a complex configured to absorb EM radiation to generate heat. The vessel is configured to receive a cool fluid from the cool fluid source, concentrate the EM radiation using the concentrator, apply the EM radiation to the complex, and transform, using the heat generated by the complex, the cool fluid to the heated fluid. The complex is at least one of consisting of copper nanoparticles, copper oxide nanoparticles, nanoshells, nanorods, carbon moieties, encapsulated nanoshells, encapsulated nanoparticles, and branched nanostructures. Further, the EM radiation is at least one of EM radiation in an ultraviolet region of an electromagnetic spectrum, in a visible region of the electromagnetic spectrum, and in an infrared region of the electromagnetic spectrum.
Infrared photodetectors
(2023-05-16) Zheng, Bob Yi; Zhao, Hangqi; Cerjan, Benjamin; Tanzid, Mehbuba; Nordlander, Peter J.; Halas, Nancy J.; Rice University; William Marsh Rice University; United States Patent and Trademark Office
An infrared photodetector includes: a p-type and highly-doped silicon substrate; a metal structure disposed on the silicon substrate; a first electric contact to the silicon substrate; and a second electric contact to the metal structure.
Metal nanoshells
(2002-02-05) Oldenburg, Steven J.; Averitt, Richard D.; Halas, Nancy J.; Rice University; United States Patent and Trademark Office
The present invention is for particulate compositions and methods for producing them that can absorb or scatter electromagnetic radiation. The particles are homogeneous in size and are comprised of a nonconducting inner layer that is surrounded by an electrically conducting material. The ratio of the thickness of the nonconducting layer to the thickness of the outer conducting shell is determinative of the wavelength of maximum absorbance or scattering of the particle. Unique solution phase methods for synthesizing the particles involve linking clusters of the conducting atoms, ions, or molecules to the nonconducting inner layer by linear molecules. This step can be followed by growth of the metal onto the clusters to form a coherent conducting shell that encapsulates the core.
Metal nanoshells
(2004-02-03) Oldenburg, Steven J.; Averitt, Richard D.; Halas, Nancy J.; Rice University; United States Patent and Trademark Office
The present invention is for particulate compositions and methods for producing them that can absorb or scatter electromagnetic radiation. The particles are homogeneous in size and are comprised of a nonconducting inner layer that is surrounded by an electrically conducting material. The ratio of the thickness of the nonconducting layer to the thickness of the outer conducting shell is determinative of the wavelength of maximum absorbance or scattering of the particle. Unique solution phase methods for synthesizing the particles involve linking clusters of the conducting atoms, ions, or molecules to the nonconducting inner layer by linear molecules. This step can be followed by growth of the metal onto the clusters to form a coherent conducting shell that encapsulates the core.
Metal nanoshells for biosensing applications
(2004-03-02) West, Jennifer L.; Halas, Nancy J.; Oldenburg, Steven J.; Averitt, Richard D.; Rice University; United States Patent and Trademark Office
The present invention provides nanoshell particles (“nanoshells”) for use in biosensing applications, along with their manner of making and methods of using the nanoshells for in vitro and in vivo detection of chemical and biological analytes, preferably by surface enhanced Raman light scattering. The preferred particles have a non-conducting core and a metal shell surrounding the core. For given core and shell materials, the ratio of the thickness (i.e., radius) of the core to the thickness of the metal shell is determinative of the wavelength of maximum absorbance of the particle. By controlling the relative core and shell thicknesses, biosensing metal nanoshells are fabricated which absorb light at any desired wavelength across the ultraviolet to infrared range of the electromagnetic spectrum. The surface of the particles are capable of inducing an enhanced SERS signal that is characteristic of an analyte of interest. In certain embodiments a biomolecule is conjugated to the metal shell and the SERS signal of a conformational change or a reaction product is detected.
Method for scalable production of nanoshells using salt assisted purification of intermediate colloid-seeded nanoparticles
(2005-06-21) Halas, Nancy J.; Bradley, Robert K.; Rice University; United States Patent and Trademark Office
A method for purifying a suspension containing colloid-seeded nanoparticles and excess colloids is provided that includes adding to the suspension a filter aid comprising a salt. The method further includes filtering the suspension with a filter of a pore size intermediate between the average colloid-seeded nanoparticle size and the average excess colloid size, so as to form a retentate that includes the majority of the colloid-seeded nanoparticles and a filtrate that includes the majority of the excess colloids. Still further, the method includes collecting the retentate. The method may be incorporated into a method of making metallized nanoparticles, such as nanoshells, by reduction of metal ions onto the purified colloid-seed nanoparticles so as to form the metallized nanoparticles.
Methods for producing submicron metal line and island arrays
(2005-04-05) Moran, Cristin Erin; Radloff, Corey J.; Halas, Nancy J.; Rice University; United States Patent and Trademark Office
This process results in directed electroless plating of the metal to form discrete metal structures over the entire surface. Because the surface is pre-patterned with passivated regions inert to metal deposition, the metal is directed only to the unstamped regions. This allows the formation of unconnected metal structures without any chemical etching steps. These metallic arrays are varied in size, separation and shape by using gratings of different periodicities and blaze angles as the stamp templates. A variety of well-defined geometric patterns have been fabricated and imaged using scanning probe, scanning electron, and optical microscopies.
Multi-layer nanoshells comprising a metallic or conducting shell
(2006-12-05) Halas, Nancy J.; Radloff, Corey J.; Rice University; United States Patent and Trademark Office
Composite particles containing metallic shell layers are provided. The particles may include a coating layer, such as of a protective or electrically non-conducting material, over an outermost metallic shell layer. The particle preferably has a plasmon resonance associated with at least one metallic shell layer. The coating layer preferably imparts improved thermal stability to the plasmon resonance. Further, the present invention relates to particles that include at least two metallic shell layers, separated by a coating layer. The addition of a second metallic shell layer preferably allows the plasmon resonance of the shell layer to be more red-shifted with respect to a colloidal particle of the metal that the plasmon resonance of a particle of the same size but with only a single metallic shell.
Multifunctional fluorescent and MRI-active nanostructure
(2022-11-22) Halas, Nancy J.; Ayala-Orozco, Ciceron; Bishnoi, Sandra; Henderson, Luke; Neumann, Oara; Pautler, Robia; Nordlander, Peter; Rice University; William Marsh Rice University; United States Patent and Trademark Office
A Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) enhancement agent includes a plurality of particles, each particle including: a metal core; a dielectric shell disposed on the metal core comprising at least one MRI contrast agent; and a metal shell disposed on the exterior surface of the dielectric shell that encapsulates the dielectric shell.
Multimetallic nanoshells for monitoring chemical reactions
(2013-12-10) Heck, Kimberly Nadia; Halas, Nancy J.; Wong, Michael S.; Rice University; United States Patent and Trademark Office
The invention relates to a multimetallic nanoshell sensor which comprises a core that is less conductive that a first metallic layer and having a catalytically active second metallic layer partially or completely surrounding the first metallic layer. The sensor can be used in any surface enhanced spectroscopic applications.
Nanoparticle comprising nanoshell of thickness less than the bulk electron mean free path of the shell material
(2008-05-13) Oldenburg, Steven J.; Averitt, Richard D.; Halas, Nancy J.; Rice University; United States Patent and Trademark Office
The present invention is for particulate compositions and methods for producing them that can absorb or scatter electromagnetic radiation. The particles are homogeneous in size and are comprised of a nonconducting inner layer that is surrounded by an electrically conducting material. The ratio of the thickness of the nonconducting layer to the thickness of the outer conducting shell is determinative of the wavelength of maximum absorbance or scattering of the particle. Unique solution phase methods for synthesizing the particles involve linking clusters of the conducting atoms, ions, or molecules to the nonconducting inner layer by linear molecules. This step can be followed by growth of the metal onto the clusters to form a coherent conducting shell that encapsulates the core.
Nanoparticle-based all-optical sensors
(2004-08-17) Halas, Nancy J.; Lal, Surbhi; Nordlander, Peter J.; Jackson, Joseph B.; Moran, Cristin Erin; Rice University; United States Patent and Trademark Office
The present invention provides a sensor that includes an optical device as a support for a thin film formed by a matrix containing resonant nanoparticles. The nanoparticles may be optically coupled to the optical device by virtue of the geometry of placement of the thin film. Further, the nanoparticles are adapted to resonantly enhance the spectral signature of analytes located near the surfaces of the nanoparticles. Thus, via the nanoparticles, the optical device is addressable so as to detect a measurable property of a sample in contact with the sensor. The sensors include chemical sensors and thermal sensors. The optical devices include reflective devices and waveguide devices. Still further, the nanoparticles include solid metal particles and metal nanoshells. Yet further, the nanoparticles may be part of a nano-structure that further includes nanotubes.
Nanorice particles: hybrid plasmonic nanostructures
(2010-09-07) Wang, Hui; Brandl, Daniel; Le, Fei; Nordlander, Peter J.; Halas, Nancy J.; Rice University; United States Patent and Trademark Office
A new hybrid nanoparticle, i.e., a nanorice particle, which combines the intense local fields of nanorods with the highly tunable plasmon resonances of nanoshells, is described herein. This geometry possesses far greater structural tunability than previous nanoparticle geometries, along with much larger local field enhancements and far greater sensitivity as a surface plasmon resonance (SPR) nanosensor than presently known dielectric-conductive material nanostructures. In an embodiment, a nanoparticle comprises a prolate spheroid-shaped core having a first aspect ratio. The nanoparticle also comprises at least one conductive shell surrounding said prolate spheroid-shaped core. The nanoparticle has a surface plasmon resonance sensitivity of at least 600 nm RIU−1. Methods of making the disclosed nanorice particles are also described herein.

Browsing by Author "Halas, Nancy J."

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