Browsing by Author "Whitsitt, Elizabeth Anne"

Now showing 1 - 5 of 5
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    Amplification of carbon nanotubes via seeded-growth methods
    (2013-10-22) Smalley, Richard E.; Hauge, Robert H.; Barron, Andrew R.; Tour, James M.; Schmidt, Howard K.; Billups, Edward W.; Dyke, Christopher A.; Moore, Valerie C.; Whitsitt, Elizabeth Anne; Anderson, Robin E.; Colorado Jr., Ramon; Stewart, Michael P.; Ogrin, Douglas C.; Rice University; United States Patent and Trademark Office
    The present invention is directed towards methods (processes) of providing large quantities of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) of defined diameter and chirality (i.e., precise populations). In such processes, CNT seeds of a pre-selected diameter and chirality are grown to many (e.g., hundreds) times their original length. This is optionally followed by cycling some of the newly grown material back as seed material for regrowth. Thus, the present invention provides for the large-scale production of precise populations of CNTs, the precise composition of such populations capable of being optimized for a particular application (e.g., hydrogen storage). The present invention is also directed to complexes of CNTs and transition metal catalyst precurors, such complexes typically being formed en route to forming CNT seeds.
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    Coated fullerenes- composites and dielectrics made therefrom
    (2011-11-22) Barron, Andrew R.; Flood, Dennis J.; Whitsitt, Elizabeth Anne; Rice University; Natcore Technology Inc.; United States Patent and Trademark Office
    The present invention relates to coated fullerenes comprising a layer of at least one inorganic material covering at least a portion of at least one surface of a fullerene and methods for making. The present invention further relates to composites comprising the coated fullerenes of the present invention and further comprising polymers, ceramics and/or inorganic oxides. A coated fullerene interconnect device wherein at least two fullerenes are contacting each other to form a spontaneous interconnect is also disclosed as well as methods of making. In addition, dielectric films comprising the coated fullerenes of the present invention and methods of making are further disclosed.
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    Method for creating a functional interface between a nanoparticle- nanotube or nanowire- and a biological molecule or system
    (2010-04-06) Barron, Andrew R.; Flood, Dennis J.; Whitsitt, Elizabeth Anne; Anderson, Robin E.; Scott, Graham B. I.; Rice University; New Cyte, Inc.; United States Patent and Trademark Office
    A field effect transistor and a method for making the same. In one embodiment, the field effect transistor comprises a source; a drain; a gate; at least one carbon nanotube on the gate; and a dielectric layer that coats the gate and a portion of the at least one carbon nanotube, wherein the at least one carbon nanotube has an exposed portion that is not coated with the dielectric layer, and wherein the exposed portion is functionalized with at least one indicator molecule. In other embodiments, the field effect transistor is a biochem-FET.
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    Method for low temperature growth of inorganic materials from solution using catalyzed growth and re-growth
    (2012-06-19) Barron, Andrew R.; Whitsitt, Elizabeth Anne; Rice University; United States Patent and Trademark Office
    The present invention involves a method and apparatus for depositing a silicon oxide onto a substrate from solution at low temperatures in a manner that produces homogeneous growth of the silicon oxide. The method generally comprises the following steps: (a) Chemically treating a substrate to activate it for growth of the silicon oxide. (b) Immersing the treated substrate into a bath with a reactive solution. (c) Regenerating the reactive solution to allow for continued growth of the silicon oxide. In another embodiment of the present invention, the apparatus includes a first container holding a reactive solution, a substrate on which the silicon oxide is deposited, a second container holding silica, and a means for adding silica to the reactive solution.
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    Method for low temperature growth of inorganic materials from solution using catalyzed growth and re-growth
    (2010-05-18) Barron, Andrew R.; Whitsitt, Elizabeth Anne; Rice University; United States Patent and Trademark Office
    The present invention involves a method and apparatus for depositing a silicon oxide onto a substrate from solution at low temperatures in a manner that produces homogeneous growth of the silicon oxide. The method generally comprises the following steps: (a) Chemically treating a substrate to activate it for growth of the silicon oxide. (b) Immersing the treated substrate into a bath with a reactive solution. (c) Regenerating the reactive solution to allow for continued growth of the silicon oxide. In another embodiment of the present invention, the apparatus includes a first container holding a reactive solution, a substrate on which the silicon oxide is deposited, a second container holding silica, and a means for adding silica to the reactive solution.