Devices comprising nanotubes or nanowires having alterable characteristics and related methods
First Claim
1. A sensor device comprising:
- at least one element located adjacent at least one nanotube or nanowire and configured to alter at least one electrical characteristic of the at least one nanotube or nanowire by bearing on a lateral side of the at least one nanotube or nanowire; and
at least one electrode operatively coupled to the at least one nanotube or nanowire and configured to detect the at least one electrical characteristic.
7 Assignments
0 Petitions
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.
-
Citations
17 Claims
-
1. A sensor device comprising:
-
at least one element located adjacent at least one nanotube or nanowire and configured to alter at least one electrical characteristic of the at least one nanotube or nanowire by bearing on a lateral side of the at least one nanotube or nanowire; and at least one electrode operatively coupled to the at least one nanotube or nanowire and configured to detect the at least one electrical characteristic. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
-
-
11. A device, comprising:
-
at least one nanotube or nanowire; at least one element located adjacent the at least one nanotube or nanowire and configured and located to apply a bending force to the at least one nanotube or nanowire by impinging on a lateral side of the at least one nanotube or nanowire; and at least one electrode in electrical communication with the at least one nanotube or nanowire. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13)
-
-
14. A method, comprising:
-
applying a bending force to at least one nanotube or nanowire by impinging at least one element located adjacent the at least one nanotube or nanowire against a lateral side surface of the at least one nanotube or nanowire; altering at least one electrical characteristic of the at least one nanotube or nanowire responsive to application of the bending force to the at least one nanotube or nanowire; and sensing the alteration of the at least one electrical characteristic of the at least one nanotube or nanowire usin at least one electrode in electrical communication with the at least one nanotube or nanowire. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17)
-
Specification