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  Nanocarpets for trapping particulates, bacteria and sporesUSPTO Application #: 20070039858Title: Nanocarpets for trapping particulates, bacteria and spores Abstract: A nanofeature particulate trap comprising a plurality of densely packed nanofeatures, such as nanotubes, and a particulate detector incorporating the nanofeature particulate trap are provided. A method of producing a nanotrap structure alone or integrated with a particulate detector is also provided. (end of abstract) Agent: Christie, Parker & Hale, LLP - Pasadena, CA, US Inventors: Flavio Noca, Brian D. Hunt, Michael J. Bronikowski, Michael E. Hoenk, Robert S. Kowalczyk, Daniel S. Choi, Fei Chen USPTO Applicaton #: 20070039858 - Class: 210094000 (USPTO) Related Patent Categories: Liquid Purification Or Separation, With Alarm, Indicator, Register, Recorder, Signal Or Inspection Means, Transparent The Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070039858. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION [0001] This application is based on and claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/386,526, filed June. 6, 2002. FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0003] The present invention is directed to the growth of dense mats or carpets of nanotubes, and more particularly to the growth of dense carpets of carbon nanotubes for use in trapping small particles for in-situ detection. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0004] Nanoscale structures are becoming increasingly important because they provide the basis for devices with dramatically reduced power and mass, while simultaneously having enhanced capabilities, and previous patent applications have disclosed the advantageous use of such nanostructures in a number of different real-time, molecule specific sensors. [0005] However, very often airborne and waterborne microbiological entities, such as macro-biomolecules, spores, bacteria, etc. occur in such low concentrations that real-time detectors are ineffective at sensing them. In addition, the identification of these particulates often requires some form of intrusive analysis (tagging, DNA extraction, etc.), which cannot be accomplished if the particulate is free to move away from the location of the detector. Finally, while many of the current nano-sensors are very sensitively tuned to capture and identify one particular species (DNA strands, Salmonella etc.), the devices may miss all the other particulates of interest present in the environment. [0006] To solve these problems a system is needed to trap all molecules of interest for later analysis by a more conventional detection means. One conventional method of filtering, or trapping small particles is to use high surface area charcoal. Indeed, the ancient Egyptians understood the beneficial properties of charcoal as a filter, which was used to improve the quality of drinking water. [0007] The modern successor of charcoal is activated carbon. Activated carbon is a carbonaceous adsorbent with high internal porosity, and hence a large internal surface area of 500 up to 1500 m 2/g. Activated carbon mainly consists of elementary carbon in a graphite-like structure. It can be produced by heat treatment, or "activation", of raw materials such as wood, coal, peat and coconuts. During the activation process, the unique internal pore structure is created, and it is this pore structure which provides activated carbon its outstanding adsorptive properties. Activated carbon finds uses in a myriad of applications, from adsorption or chemisorption, to removal of chlorine through reduction reactions, as a carrier of catalytic agents, as a support material for biofilters, or as a chemical carrier for the slow release of coloring agents. [0008] For example, since 1991, activated carbon adsorption has been widely adopted for dioxin removal from waste incinerators in Europe and Japan. Because of the higher bond energy between dioxin and activated carbon than other sorbents, the removal efficiency for dioxin by activated carbon is much higher than other sorbents, including clays, pillared clays, gamma-alumina, and zeolites. [0009] However, although high surface area activated charcoal is an excellent trapping material, the three-dimensional nature of the high surface area matrix makes it very difficult to use standard detection schemes, laser diagnostics techniques (UV fluorescence and other non-linear light scattering techniques) to actually distinguish the particles of interest (such as those containing proteins, nucleic acids, and coenzymes) from other organic and inorganic particulate contaminants. [0010] Accordingly, a need exists for improved nanoscale material for use as a trapping material for concentrating low concentrations of airborne and waterborne particles for detection by highly sensitive, robust, and cost-effective in situ sensors. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0011] The present invention is directed to a nanofeature particulate trap comprising a plurality of densely packed nanofeatures, such as nanotubes. The invention is also directed to a particulate detector incorporating the nanofeature particulate trap. [0012] In one embodiment, the nanofeature particulate trap is substantially two-dimensional. [0013] In another embodiment, the nanofeatures are hydrophobic. In such an embodiment the nanofeature trap may be particularly suited for liquid environments. [0014] In still another embodiment, the nanofeatures are chosen to have a large surface-to volume ratio such that surface interactions are promoted. [0015] In yet another embodiment, the radius of curvature of the nanofeatures is confined to provide a nanofeature trap having large Van der Waals forces. [0016] In still yet another embodiment, the nanofeature trap is in communication with a voltage source such that an electrical field can be generated in the individual nanofeatures of the nanofeature trap. In one such embodiment, the individual nanofeatures may be designed to serve as electron emitting/receiving elements. In an alternative embodiment the application of an electrical field to the nanofeatures is designed to trigger an electromechanical actuation of the individual nanofeatures. In one such embodiment, the nanotrap actuator comprises a nanotrap with an integrated electrode substrate. The nanoscale actuators of the present invention are designed to provide the capability of controllable motion on near-atomic scales. In such an embodiment, the transduction mechanism is symmetric--length changes in the nanotubes will induce charge transfer and hence voltages. [0017] In still yet another embodiment, the nanofeature trap is designed to trap particles as small as 0.5 micron. [0018] This invention is also directed to an analyzer, which utilizes a nanofeature trap in combination with a detector that functions as a molecular sensor. This invention is also directed to novel systems and methods for utilizing nanofeature traps comprising a plurality of densely packed nanotubes with integrated detectors to form a particulate analyzer. [0019] In another embodiment, the invention is directed to a system for the detection of substances comprising multiple nanofeature traps as described above, such that parallel processing of molecules can be carried out. [0020] This invention is also directed to growth and processing techniques to control the physical properties of the individual nanotubes and the density of the trap generally; and methods for positioning the nanotube trap during growth, including nanoscale patterning of the substrate to ensure that the growth of the nanotube trap is located and aligned with any external analysis devices. [0021] In another embodiment the nanotubes comprising the nanofeature trap are self-assembled to have a specified diameter, a specified height, and a specified degree of curling suitable for use in the devices of the current invention. Continue reading... Full patent description for Nanocarpets for trapping particulates, bacteria and spores Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Nanocarpets for trapping particulates, bacteria and spores patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. 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