Brian Thomas Regan

US Patent:

7515010, Apr 7, 2009

Filed:

Oct 6, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/245652

Inventors:

Alexander K. Zettl - Kensington CA, US
Brian C. Regan - Los Angeles CA, US
Shaul Aloni - Albany CA, US

Assignee:

The Regents of the University of California - Oakland CA

International Classification:

H03B 5/30

US Classification:

331187, 977725, 977962

Abstract:

A nanoscale oscillation device is disclosed, wherein two nanoscale droplets are altered in size by mass transport, then contact each other and merge through surface tension. The device may also comprise a channel having an actuator responsive to mechanical oscillation caused by expansion and contraction of the droplets. It further has a structure for delivering atoms between droplets, wherein the droplets are nanoparticles. Provided are a first particle and a second particle on the channel member, both being made of a chargeable material, the second particle contacting the actuator portion; and electrodes connected to the channel member for delivering a potential gradient across the channel and traversing the first and second particles. The particles are spaced apart a specified distance so that atoms from one particle are delivered to the other particle by mass transport in response to the potential (e. g. voltage potential) and the first and second particles are liquid and touch at a predetermined point of growth, thereby causing merging of the second particle into the first particle by surface tension forces and reverse movement of the actuator.

US Patent:

7863798, Jan 4, 2011

Filed:

Sep 19, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/229935

Inventors:

Brian C. Regan - Los Angeles CA, US
Alexander K. Zettl - Kensington CA, US
Shaul Aloni - Albany CA, US

Assignee:

The Regents of the University of California - Oakland CA

International Classification:

H02N 11/00
H02N 1/04

US Classification:

310300, 310309, 977725, 977733, 977752, 359224, 359290

Abstract:

A nanoscale nanocrystal which may be used as a reciprocating motor is provided, comprising a substrate having an energy differential across it, e. g. an electrical connection to a voltage source at a proximal end; an atom reservoir on the substrate distal to the electrical connection; a nanoparticle ram on the substrate distal to the atom reservoir; a nanolever contacting the nanoparticle ram and having an electrical connection to a voltage source, whereby a voltage applied between the electrical connections on the substrate and the nanolever causes movement of atoms between the reservoir and the ram. Movement of the ram causes movement of the nanolever relative to the substrate. The substrate and nanolever preferably comprise multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) and the atom reservoir and nanoparticle ram are preferably metal (e. g. indium) deposited as small particles on the MWNTs. The substrate may comprise a silicon chip that has been fabricated to provide the necessary electrodes and other electromechanical structures, and further supports an atomic track, which may comprise an MWNT.

US Patent:

20060057767, Mar 16, 2006

Filed:

Mar 21, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/085397

Inventors:

Brian Regan - Oakland CA, US
Shaul Aloni - Albany CA, US
Alexander Zettl - Kensington CA, US

International Classification:

H01L 51/40
H01L 21/00
H01L 21/336
H01L 21/8232

US Classification:

438099000, 438082000, 438800000, 438931000, 438285000, 438142000

Abstract:

A mass transport method and device for individually delivering chargeable atoms or molecules from source particles is disclosed. It comprises a channel; at least one source particle of chargeable material fixed to the surface of the channel at a position along its length; a means of heating the channel; and a means for applying an controllable electric field along the channel, whereby the device transports the atoms or molecules along the channel in response to applied electric field. In a preferred embodiment, the mass transport device will comprise a multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWNT), although other one dimensional structures may also be used. The MWNT or other structure acts as a channel for individual or small collections of atoms due to the atomic smoothness of the material. Also preferred is a source particle of a metal such as indium. The particles move by dissociation into small units, in some cases, individual atoms. The particles are preferably less than 100 nm in size.