Sensor platform using a non-horizontally oriented nanotube element

• US 7,538,400 B2
• Filed: 01/17/2006
• Issued: 05/26/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 05/14/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nantero Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Nantero Incorporated
• Inventors: Vogeli, Bernhard, Bertin, Claude L., Brock, Darren K., Segal, Brent M., Rueckes, Thomas, Jaiprakash, Venkatachalam C.
• Primary Examiner(s): PERT, EVAN T
• Application Number:
  US11/333,623
• Publication Number:
  US 20060125033A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,225 Days
• Field of Search: 257/414, 73/310.6, 977/904, 977/920
• US Class Current: 257/414
• CPC Class Codes: B82Y 15/00 Nanotechnology for interacting, sensing or actuating, e.g. quantum dots as markers in protein assays or molecular motors
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 27/4146 involving nanosized elements, e.g. nanotubes, nanowires
• CPC Class Codes: G11C 13/025 using fullerenes, e.g. C60, or nanotubes, e.g. carbon or silicon nanotubes
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 977/902 Specified use of nanostructure
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 977/904 for medical, immunological, body treatment, or diagnosis
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 977/92 Detection of biochemical
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 977/921 Of toxic chemical
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 977/922 Of explosive material
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 977/924 using nanostructure as support of dna analysis
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/43 Electric condenser making
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49082 Resistor making

Abstract

Sensor platforms and methods of making them are described. A platform having a non-horizontally oriented sensor element comprising one or more nanostructures such as nanotubes is described. Under certain embodiments, a sensor element has or is made to have an affinity for an analyte. Under certain embodiments, such a sensor element comprises one or more pristine nanotubes. Under certain embodiments, the sensor element comprises derivatized or functionalized nanotubes. Under certain embodiments, a sensor is made by providing a support structure; providing one or more nanotubes on the structure to provide material for a sensor element; and providing circuitry to electrically sense the sensor element'"'"'s electrical characterization. Under certain embodiments, the sensor element comprises pre-derivatized or pre-functionalized nanotubes. Under other embodiments, sensor material is derivatized or functionalized after provision on the structure or after patterning. Under certain embodiments, a large-scale array of sensor platforms includes a plurality of sensor elements.

Claims

1. An electrical device, comprising:

a flexible substrate having a major surface and a second surface substantially non-parallel to said major surface;

a conductive article oriented disposed on said second surface of the substrate, said article comprising a non-woven fabric of nanotubes for providing a plurality of conductive pathways along the article; and

an electrode in electrical communication with at least a portion of the conductive article.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the conductive article substantially conforms to said second surface.

3. The device of claim 1, further comprising a support structure for supporting the conductive article.

4. The device of claim 3, wherein the support structure includes a channel and wherein at least a portion of the conductive article is suspended over the channel.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein the conductive article is electromechanically responsive to electrical stimulation by the electrode.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein the non-woven fabric comprises substantially a monolayer of nanotubes.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein the flexible substrate comprises plastic.