Browsing by Author "Sivarajan, Ramesh"

Now showing 1 - 5 of 5
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    Carbon nanotubes and their derivatives as matrix elements for the matrix-assisted laser desorption mass spectrometry of biomolecules and sequencing using associated fragmentation
    (2008-08-19) Sivarajan, Ramesh; Hauge, Robert H.; Marriott, Terry; Rice University; United States Patent and Trademark Office
    The present invention is directed toward novel matrix elements, generally comprising functionalized carbon nanotubes, for matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization (MALDI)-mass spectroscopy (MS), methods of making such matrix elements, and to methods of using such matrix elements in MALDI-MS applications, particularly for the analysis of biological molecules. In some embodiments, by carefully tuning the absorption characteristics of the matrix element, biomolecular analytes can be sequenced.
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    Entangled single-wall carbon nanotube solid material and methods for making same
    (2005-05-31) Smalley, Richard E.; Sivarajan, Ramesh; Rice University; United States Patent and Trademark Office
    Buckyrock is a three-dimensional, solid block material comprising an entangled network of single-wall carbon nanotubes (SWNT), wherein the block comprises greater than 75 wt % SWNT. SWNT buckyrock is mechanically strong, tough and impact resistant. The single-wall carbon nanotubes in buckyrock form are present in a random network of individual single-wall carbon nanotubes, SWNT “ropes” and combinations thereof. The random network of the SWNT or SWNT ropes can be held in place by non-covalent “cross-links” between the nanotubes at nanotube contact points. In one embodiment, SWNT buckyrock is made by forming a SWNT-water slurry, slowly removing water from the slurry which results in a SWNT-water paste, and allowing the paste to dry very slowly, such that the SWNT network of the SWNT-water paste is preserved during solvent evaporation. Buckyrock can be used in applications, such as ballistic protection systems, involving light-weight material with mechanical strength, toughness and impact resistance.
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    Fibers of aligned single-wall carbon nanotubes and process for making the same
    (2006-10-24) Smalley, Richard E.; Saini, Rajesh Kumar; Sivarajan, Ramesh; Hauge, Robert H.; Davis, Virginia Angelica; Pasquali, Matteo; Ericson, Lars Martin; Rice University; United States Patent and Trademark Office
    The present invention involves fibers of highly aligned single-wall carbon nanotubes and a process for making the same. The present invention provides a method for effectively dispersing single-wall carbon nanotubes. The process for dispersing the single-wall carbon nanotubes comprises mixing single-wall carbon nanotubes with 100% sulfuric acid or a superacid, heating and stirring under an inert, oxygen-free environment. The single-wall carbon nanotube/acid mixture is wet spun into a coagulant to form the single-wall carbon nanotube fibers. The fibers are recovered, washed and dried. The single-wall carbon nanotubes were highly aligned in the fibers, as determined by Raman spectroscopy analysis.
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    Method for separating single-wall carbon nanotubes and compositions thereof
    (2006-07-11) Smalley, Richard E.; Hauge, Robert H.; Kittrell, Carter W.; Sivarajan, Ramesh; Strano, Michael S.; Bachilo, Sergei M.; Weisman, R. Bruce; Rice University; United States Patent and Trademark Office
    The invention relates to a process for sorting and separating a mixture of (n, m) type single-wall carbon nanotubes according to (n, m) type. A mixture of (n, m) type single-wall carbon nanotubes is suspended such that the single-wall carbon nanotubes are individually dispersed. The nanotube suspension can be done in a surfactant-water solution and the surfactant surrounding the nanotubes keeps the nanotube isolated and from aggregating with other nanotubes. The nanotube suspension is acidified to protonate a fraction of the nanotubes. An electric field is applied and the protonated nanotubes migrate in the electric fields at different rates dependent on their (n, m) type. Fractions of nanotubes are collected at different fractionation times. The process of protonation, applying an electric field, and fractionation is repeated at increasingly higher pH to separated the (n, m) nanotube mixture into individual (n, m) nanotube fractions. The separation enables new electronic devices requiring selected (n, m) nanotube types.
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    Single-wall carbon nanotube alewives- process for making- and compositions thereof
    (2007-10-30) Smalley, Richard E.; Saini, Rajesh Kumar; Sivarajan, Ramesh; Hauge, Robert H.; Davis, Virginia Angelica; Pasquali, Matteo; Ericson, Lars Martin; Kumar, Satish; Veedu, Sreekumar Thaliyil; Rice University; United States Patent and Trademark Office
    The present invention involves alewives of highly aligned single-wall carbon nanotubes (SWNT), process for making the same and compositions thereof. The present invention provides a method for effectively making carbon alewives, which are discrete, acicular-shaped aggregates of aligned single-wall carbon nanotubes and resemble the Atlantic fish of the same name. Single-wall carbon nanotube alewives can be conveniently dispersed in materials such as polymers, ceramics, metals, metal oxides and liquids. The process for preparing the alewives comprises mixing single-wall carbon nanotubes with 100% sulfuric acid or a superacid, heating and stirring, and slowly introducing water into the single-wall carbon nanotube/acid mixture to form the alewives. The alewives can be recovered, washed and dried. The properties of the single-wall carbon nanotubes are retained in the alewives.