Jian C Chen

US Patent:

6723299, Apr 20, 2004

Filed:

Jan 11, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/044317

Inventors:

Jian Chen - Richardson TX
Mark J. Dyer - San Jose CA

Assignee:

Zyvex Corporation - Richardson TX

International Classification:

D01F 912

US Classification:

4234471, 4234472, 423460, 241 16

Abstract:

A system and method are disclosed which allow for manipulation of nanotubes. More specifically, embodiments of the present invention enable various types of manipulation of nanotubes utilizing an organic material that is presented to the nanotubes. For example, a preferred embodiment of the present invention enables cutting of nanotubes into shortened nanotubes. Other types of nanotube manipulation that are enabled by embodiments of the present invention, include dispersing nanotubes, enabling dissolution of nanotubes, and noncovalently fuctionalizing nanotubes. The organic material utilized in manipulating nanotubes preferably comprises a soft organic material, soluble organic material, and/or an organic material that acts as a dispersing reagent for dispersing nanotubes. In a preferred embodiment, the organic material utilized for manipulating nanotubes comprises cyclodextrin.

US Patent:

6887450, May 3, 2005

Filed:

Jan 2, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/038102

Inventors:

Jian Chen - Richardson TX, US
James R. Von Ehr - Richardson TX, US

Assignee:

Zyvex Corporation - Richardson TX

International Classification:

C01B031/00
B29C051/00
H01L021/00

US Classification:

423445R, 4234471, 4234498, 423460, 264320, 264334, 438105

Abstract:

A solution containing randomized nanotubes is introduced into a channelized mold and the solution is dried resulting in a number of parallel nanotubes stretched across the walls of the channel. In one embodiment, the channels are open along their longitudinal axis and that opening is covered with a material, such as silicon. The solution is allowed to dry, preferably at room temperature, and as it recedes from the channel the receding solution tends to stretch certain of the nanotubes across the channel so that they become attached to the opposite walls of the channel. By varying the shapes and width of the channel sides various controlled nanotube lengths can be achieved. The mold, with the constructed nanotubes, can be positioned to mate with another structure for the transfer of the nanotubes to the second structure.

US Patent:

6905667, Jun 14, 2005

Filed:

Dec 13, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/318730

Inventors:

Jian Chen - Richardson TX, US
Haiying Liu - Houghton MI, US

Assignee:

Zyvex Corporation - Richardson TX
The University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh PA

International Classification:

C01B031/02

US Classification:

4234471, 423445 R, 423460, 428367, 428398, 428408, 524495, 524496, 525416

Abstract:

A new, non-wrapping approach to functionalizing nanotubes, such as carbon nanotubes, in organic and inorganic solvents is provided. In accordance with certain embodiments, carbon nanotube surfaces are functionalized in a non-wrapping fashion by functional conjugated polymers that include functional groups. Various embodiments provide polymers that noncovalently bond with carbon nanotubes in a non-wrapping fashion. For example, various embodiments of polymers are provided that comprise a relatively rigid backbone that is suitable for noncovalently bonding with a carbon nanotube substantially along the nanotube's length, as opposed to about its diameter. In preferred polymers, the major interaction between the polymer backbone and the nanotube surface is parallel π-stacking. In certain implementations, the polymers further comprise at least one functional extension from the backbone that are any of various desired functional groups for functionalizing a carbon nanotube.

US Patent:

7241496, Jul 10, 2007

Filed:

Jul 20, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/894738

Inventors:

Jian Chen - Richardson TX, US
Haiying Liu - Houghton MI, US

Assignee:

Zyvex Performance Materials, LLC. - Richardson TX
The University of Pittsburgh — of the Commonwealth System of Higher Education - Pittsburgh PA

International Classification:

B32B 9/00

US Classification:

428367, 423445 B, 423445 R, 423460, 428398, 428408, 524495, 524496, 525416

Abstract:

A new, non-wrapping approach to functionalizing nanotubes, such as carbon nanotubes, in organic and inorganic solvents is provided. In accordance with certain embodiments, carbon nanotube surfaces are functionalized in a non-wrapping fashion by functional conjugated polymers that include functional groups. Various embodiments provide polymers that noncovalently bond with carbon nanotubes in a non-wrapping fashion. For example, various embodiments of polymers are provided that comprise a relatively rigid backbone that is suitable for noncovalently bonding with a carbon nanotube substantially along the nanotube's length, as opposed to about its diameter. In preferred polymers, the major interaction between the polymer backbone and the nanotube surface is parallel π-stacking. In certain implementations, the polymers further comprise at least one functional extension from the backbone that are any of various desired functional groups for functionalizing a carbon nanotube.

US Patent:

7244407, Jul 17, 2007

Filed:

Jul 20, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/895161

Inventors:

Jian Chen - Richardson TX, US
Haiying Liu - Houghton MI, US

Assignee:

Zyvex Performance Materials, LLC - Richardson TX
The University of Pittsburgh - of the Commonwealth System of Higher Education - Pittsburgh PA

International Classification:

C01B 31/02

US Classification:

423445B, 423445 R, 423460, 428367, 428398, 428408, 524495, 524496, 525416

Abstract:

A new, non-wrapping approach to solubilize nanotubes, such as carbon nanotubes, in organic and inorganic solvents is provided. In accordance with certain embodiments, carbon nanotube surfaces are functionalized in a non-wrapping fashion by functional conjugated polymers that include functional groups for solubilizing such nanotubes. Various embodiments provide polymers that noncovalently bond with carbon nanotubes in a non-wrapping fashion. For example, various embodiments of polymers are provided that comprise a relatively rigid backbone that is suitable for noncovalently bonding with a carbon nanotube substantially along the nanotube's length, as opposed to about its diameter. In preferred polymers, the major interaction between the polymer backbone and the nanotube surface is parallel π-stacking. The polymers further comprise at least one functional extension from the backbone that are any of various desired functional groups that are suitable for solubilizing a carbon nanotube.

US Patent:

7344691, Mar 18, 2008

Filed:

Dec 10, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/732490

Inventors:

Jian Chen - Richardson TX, US
Mark J. Dyer - San Jose CA, US

Assignee:

Zyvek Performance Materials, LLC - Columbus OH

International Classification:

D01F 9/12
C09C 1/44

US Classification:

4234472, 423460, 977847, 977750, 977752

Abstract:

A system and method for manipulation of nanotubes using an organic material that is presented to the nanotubes. Exemplary types of manipulation include cutting nanotubes into shortened nanotubes, dispersing nanotubes, enabling dissolution of nanotubes, and noncovalently functionalizing nanotubes. The organic material used in manipulating nanotubes preferably comprises a solid organic material, soluble organic material, and/or an organic material that acts as a dispersing reagent for dispersing nanotubes. In a preferred embodiment, the organic material used for manipulating nanotubes comprises cyclodextrin.

US Patent:

7479516, Jan 20, 2009

Filed:

May 21, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/850721

Inventors:

Jian Chen - Richardson TX, US
Ramasubramaniam Rajagopal - Richardson TX, US

Assignee:

Zyvex Performance Materials, LLC - Columbus OH

International Classification:

C01B 31/02

US Classification:

524495, 423445 B, 423445 R

Abstract:

Electrical, thermal and mechanical applications are provided for nanocomposite materials having low percolation thresholds for electrical conductivity, low percolation thresholds for thermal conductivity, or improved mechanical properties.

US Patent:

7544415, Jun 9, 2009

Filed:

Jul 10, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/775633

Inventors:

Jian Chen - Richardson TX, US
Haiying Liu - Houghton MI, US

Assignee:

Zyvex Performance Materials, Inc. - Columbus OH
University of Pittsburgh—of the Commonwealth System of Higher Education - Pittsburgh PA

International Classification:

B32B 9/04

US Classification:

428367, 423445 B, 423445 R, 423460, 428398, 428408, 524495, 524496, 525416

Abstract:

A new, non-wrapping approach to solubilize nanotubes, such as carbon nanotubes, in organic and inorganic solvents is provided. In accordance with certain embodiments, carbon nanotube surfaces are functionalized in a non-wrapping fashion by functional conjugated polymers that include functional groups for solubilizing such nanotubes. Various embodiments provide polymers that noncovalently bond with carbon nanotubes in a non-wrapping fashion. For example, various embodiments of polymers are provided that comprise a relatively rigid backbone that is suitable for noncovalently bonding with a carbon nanotube substantially along the nanotube's length, as opposed to about its diameter. In preferred polymers, the major interaction between the polymer backbone and the nanotube surface is parallel π-stacking. The polymers further comprise at least one functional extension from the backbone that are any of various desired functional groups that are suitable for solubilizing a carbon nanotube.