Devices comprising nanotubes for use as sensors and/or transducers, and related methods
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 located laterally adjacent the at least one nanotube and configured to adjust a resonant frequency of the at least one nanotube by bearing on a lateral side surface 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
25 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 located laterally adjacent the at least one nanotube and configured to adjust a resonant frequency of the at least one nanotube by bearing on a lateral side surface of the at least one nanotube. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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- 7. 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 one nanotube of the plurality of nanotubes has a first length, at least one nanotube of the plurality of nanotubes has a second length differing from the first length, at least one nanotube of the plurality of nanotubes being oriented in a first direction, and at least one nanotube of the plurality of nanotubes being oriented in a second direction oriented at an angle relative to the first direction.
- 12. A method of sensing mechanical movement in a medium, the method comprising 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 adjusting a resonant frequency of the at least one nanotube comprises causing at least one element to impart a force on a lateral side surface of at least a portion of the at least one nanotube.
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15. A device, comprising:
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at least one nanotube carried by a substrate; at least one electrode in electrical contact with the at least one nanotube; and at least one 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. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A method of encoding, comprising:
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applying a voltage to a nanotube; and encoding an electrical signal by adjusting an electrical characteristic of the nanotube using at least one device configured to apply a mechanical force to the nanotube while passing electrical current through the nanotube. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22)
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- 23. A sensor/transducer device, comprising at least one element located laterally adjacent at least one nanotube and configured to adjust a resonant frequency of the at least one nanotube by bearing on a lateral side surface of the at least one nanotube.
Specification