Nanotechnology

Formed from a single atom, molecule, or cluster

Carbon nanotube-based electronic switch
An improved microelectromechanical switch assembly comprises a linearly movable switch rod constrained via a switch bearing, the switch rod being actuated by electrostatic deflection. Movement of the switch rod to one end of its travel puts the switch assembly in a closed state while movement of the switch rod to the other end of its travel puts the switch assembly in an open state. In an embodiment of the invention, one or both of the switch rod and the switch bearing are fabricated of a carbon nanotube. The improved microelectromechanical switch assembly provides low insertion loss and long lifetime in an embodiment of the invention.

Functional molecular element and functional molecular device
A functional molecular element whose functions can be controlled by an electric field based on a new principle. A Lewis base molecule (14) with positive permittivity anisotropy or a dipole moment in the major axis direction of the molecule is disposed, via a metal ion (3) that can act as a Lewis acid, in a pendant-like form on a key molecule (2) in the form of a line or film that has a conjugated system and exhibits conductivity, thereby forming a functional molecular element 1 that can realize a function where the conformation changes due to the application of an electric field. The conductive key molecule (2) and the Lewis base molecule (14) form a complex with the metal ion (3). When an electric field is applied in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the paper in FIG. 1(b), for example, the Lewis base molecule (14) performs a 90.degree. “neck twisting” movement with the up-down direction in the drawing as the axis. Also, when an electric field is applied in the up-down direction in the drawing as shown in FIG. 1(c), the Lewis base molecule (14) performs a “see-saw” movement with the direction perpendicular to the plane of the paper as the axis, thereby switching the conductivity of the conductive key molecule (2).

Semiconductor nanowire fluid sensor and method for fabricating the same
Nanowire fluid sensors are provided. The fluid sensors comprise a first electrode, a second electrode, and at least one nanowire between the first electrode and the second electrode. Each nanowire is connected at a first end to the first electrode and at a second end to the second electrode. Methods of fabricating and operating the fluid sensor are also provided.

Method of manufacturing a semiconductor structure comprising clusters and/or nanocrystal of silicon and a semiconductor structure of this kind
A method for manufacturing a semiconductor structure comprising clusters and/or nanocrystals of silicon described which are present in distributed form in a matrix of silicon compound. The method comprises the steps of depositing a layer of thermally nonstable silicon compound having a layer thickness in the range between 0.5 nm and 20 nm especially between 1 nm and 10 nm and in particular between 1 nm and 7 nm on a support and thermal treatment at a temperature sufficient to carry out a phase separation to obtain clusters or nanocrystals of silicon in a matrix of thermally stable silicon compound. The claims also cover semiconductor structures having such distributed clusters or nanocrystals of silicon The method described enables the economic production of high density arrays of silicon clusters or nanocrystals with a narrow size distribution.

Electrical assemblies using molecular-scale electrically conductive and mechanically flexible beams and methods for application of same
Electromechanical systems utilizing suspended conducting nanometer-scale beams are provided and may be used in applications, such as, motors, generators, pumps, fans, compressors, propulsion systems, transmitters, receivers, heat engines, heat pumps, magnetic field sensors, kinetic energy storage devices and accelerometers. Such nanometer-scale beams may be provided as, for example, single molecules, single crystal filaments, or nanotubes. When suspended by both ends, these nanometer-scale beams may be caused to rotate about their line of suspension, similar to the motion of a jumprope (or a rotating whip), via electromagnetic or electrostatic forces.This motion may be used, for example, to accelerate molecules of a working substance in a preferred direction, generate electricity from the motion of a working substance molecules, or generate electromagnetic signals. Means of transmitting and controlling currents through these beams are also described.