SENSOR AND TRANSDUCER DEVICES COMPRISING CARBON NANOTUBES, METHODS OF MAKING AND USING THE SAME
First Claim
1. A sensor/transducer device, comprising:
- at least one nanotube having a first end structurally and electrically coupled to a first electrode and a second end structurally and electrically coupled to a second electrode; and
at least one element configured to selectively adjust a resonant frequency of the at least one nanotube.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Devices usable as sensors, as transducers, or as both sensors and transducers include one or more nanotubes or nanowires. In some embodiments, the devices may each include a plurality of sensor/transducer devices carried by a common substrate. The sensor/transducer devices may be individually operable, and may exhibit a plurality of resonant frequencies to enhance the operable frequency bandwidth of the devices. Sensor/transducer devices include one or more elements configured to alter a resonant frequency of a nanotube. Such elements may be selectively and individually actuable. Methods for sensing mechanical displacements and vibrations include monitoring an electrical characteristic of a nanotube. Methods for generating mechanical displacements and vibrations include using an electrical signal to induce mechanical displacements or vibrations in one or more nanotubes. Methods for adjusting an electrical signal include passing an electrical signal through a nanotube and changing a resonant frequency of the nanotube.
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Citations
35 Claims
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1. A sensor/transducer device, comprising:
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at least one nanotube having a first end structurally and electrically coupled to a first electrode and a second end structurally and electrically coupled to a second electrode; and at least one element configured to selectively adjust a resonant frequency of the at least one nanotube. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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- 11. A sensor/transducer device comprising a plurality of nanotubes configured to exhibit a plurality of resonant frequencies, each nanotube of the plurality of nanotubes having at least a first end structurally and electrically coupled to an electrode.
- 18. A method of sensing mechanical movement in a medium, the method comprising selectively adjusting a resonant frequency of at least one nanotube in the medium while measuring at least one electronic characteristic of the at least one nanotube.
- 24. A method of sensing mechanical movement in a medium, comprising measuring at least one electronic characteristic of each of a plurality of nanotubes disposed in the medium and having different resonant frequencies.
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28. A device comprising:
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at least one nanotube; at least one electrode in electrical contact with the nanotube; and at least one selectively actuable structure configured to abut against the at least one nanotube in an actuated position and to be separated from the at least one nanotube in a non-actuated position. - View Dependent Claims (29, 30, 31)
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32. A method of encoding comprising:
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applying a voltage to a nanotube; and adjusting a resonant frequency of the nanotube. - View Dependent Claims (33, 34, 35)
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Specification