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;
wherein the at least one element comprises at least one piezoelectric element.
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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
30 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; wherein the at least one element comprises at least one piezoelectric element. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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- 10. 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, wherein at least some of the nanotubes of the plurality of nanotubes have a first selected length, at least some of the nanotubes of the plurality of nanotubes have a second selected length differing from the first selected length, at least some of the nanotubes of the plurality of nanotubes are oriented substantially parallel to a first direction, and at least some of the nanotubes of the plurality of nanotubes are oriented substantially parallel to a second direction oriented at an angle relative to the first direction.
- 15. 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, wherein selectively adjusting a resonant frequency of the at least one nanotube comprises causing at least one piezoelectric element to impinge on at least a portion of the at least one nanotube.
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20. A method of sensing mechanical movement in a medium, comprising:
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measuring at least one electronic characteristic of each of a plurality of nanotubes disposed in the medium and having different resonant frequencies; and determining at least one of a previously unknown direction and a previously unknown velocity of at least one mechanical wave passing through the medium. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22)
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23. A device comprising:
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a substrate; at least one nanotube carried by the substrate; at least one electrode in electrical contact with the at least one nanotube; and at least one selectively actuable structure carried by the substrate and configured to abut against a lateral side surface of 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 (24, 25, 26)
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27. A method of encoding comprising:
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applying a voltage to a nanotube; and adjusting a resonant frequency of the nanotube using at least one piezoelectric device configured to apply a mechanical force to the nanotube. - View Dependent Claims (28, 29, 30)
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Specification