초록 ▼

Integrated nanotube sensors are adapted for detecting various chemical and biological molecules. In one implementation, nanotube sensor arrays are formed as nano-electronic noses capable of such detection, and can be implemented in devices including carbon nanotube-based electronic noses and biochip

Integrated nanotube sensors are adapted for detecting various chemical and biological molecules. In one implementation, nanotube sensor arrays are formed as nano-electronic noses capable of such detection, and can be implemented in devices including carbon nanotube-based electronic noses and biochips. Various implementations of the present invention are also directed to nanoscience and nanotechnology applications, such as medical, military and biological applications. In a more particular implementation, nanotubes are produced on full-scale wafers and functionalized. In another more particular implementation, functionalized nanotubes are integrated into addressable devices. With these approaches, various aspects of the present invention have been found to be useful in sensor applications having small size, high density and extreme sensitivity. Such sensor applications are applicable to many aspects of society, and can be implemented for making human lives more safe, secure and healthy.

대표청구항 ▼

What is claimed is: 1. A molecular sensor comprising a plurality of carbon nanotubes including: a first carbon nanotube having a first composition and adapted for detecting a first molecular species; and a second carbon nanotube having a second composition and adapted for detecting a second molecul

What is claimed is: 1. A molecular sensor comprising a plurality of carbon nanotubes including: a first carbon nanotube having a first composition and adapted for detecting a first molecular species; and a second carbon nanotube having a second composition and adapted for detecting a second molecular species, the first composition being different from the second composition. 2. The molecular sensor of claim 1, wherein the first and second carbon nanotubes have different functional molecular species respectively coupled thereto. 3. The molecular sensor of claim 2, wherein one of the functional molecular species includes at least one of: a metal; a biological species; a protein, an enzyme, anantigen, an antibody and a nucleic acid oligomer. 4. The molecular sensor of claim 2, wherein at least one of the first and second carbon nanotubes is adapted to electrically respond to a molecular species being introduced thereto. 5. The molecular sensor of claim 4, wherein at least one of the first and second carbon nanotubes is adapted to respond to at least one of: DNA, proteins and oligomers. 6. The molecular sensor of claim 4, wherein the at least one of the first and second carbon nanotubes is adapted to change conductance in response to the molecular species. 7. The molecular sensor of claim 2, wherein at least one of the first and second carbon nanotubes includes a functional molecular species that is adapted to bind to a complementary molecular species. 8. The molecular sensor of claim 7, wherein a carbon nanotube having the functional molecular species to which the complementary molecular species is bound is adapted to exhibit a different charge environment in response to the binding of the complementary molecular species. 9. The molecular sensor of claim 2, wherein at least one of the functional molecular species includes a catalyst adapted to facilitate a chemical reaction that includes coupling a molecular species to the respective carbon nanotube to which the functional species is attached. 10. The molecular sensor of claim 1, wherein the first carbon nanotube is adapted to exhibit a stronger electrical response to the first molecular species, relative to an electrical response exhibited by the first carbon nanotube to a molecular species that is different than the first molecular species. 11. The molecular sensor of claim 1, wherein at least one of the carbon nanotubes includes a molecular species covalently bonded thereto. 12. The molecular sensor of claim 1, wherein at least one of the carbon nanotubes includes a stacked planar molecule having a chemical group covalently linked to a molecular species. 13. The molecular sensor of claim 1, wherein at least one of the carbon nanotubes includes an irreversibly adsorbed molecule. 14. The molecular sensor of claim 13, wherein the irreversibly adsorbed molecule includes at least one of a linear polymer, a dendrimer and a porphyrins compound. 15. The molecular sensor of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first and second nanotubes is adapted to detect a molecular species at room temperature. 16. The molecular sensor of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first and second nanotubes is adapted to respond differently to a molecular species in response to a voltage being applied to the at least one nanotube. 17. The molecular sensor of claim 16, wherein the at least one nanotube is adapted to selectively respond to different molecular species in response to the voltage being applied thereto. 18. A molecular sensor comprising: an array of electrodes on a chip; and a plurality of carbon nanotubes, each carbon nanotube extending between two of the electrodes and having a functional species attached thereto, at least two of the carbon nanotubes having different functional species and being adapted to respond differently to molecular species, wherein the chip is configured and arranged for electrically coupling across each carbon nanotube via the electrodes for detecting at least two different molecular species via the response of the carbon nanotubes. 19. The molecular sensor of claim 18, wherein each electrode has exactly one carbon nanotube extending therefrom. 20. The molecular sensor of claim 18, wherein each electrode comprises a catalyst particle and wherein each carbon nanotube extends between two of the catalyst particles. 21. The molecular sensor of claim 20, wherein the catalyst particles are adapted to facilitate the growth of the carbon nanotubes. 22. The molecular sensor of claim 18, wherein the chip is configured and arranged for wire bonding to a test fixture adapted for detecting an electrical characteristic of each carbon nanotube. 23. The molecular sensor of claim 18, further comprising a detection circuit electrically coupled to the array of electrodes and adapted to use an electrical response of the nanotubes to detect the presence of at least one molecular species. 24. The molecular sensor of claim 23, wherein the detection circuit is programmed to identify the detected electrical response as a response that indicates the presence of the at least one molecular species. 25. The molecular sensor of claim 23, wherein the carbon nanotubes are adapted to respond differently, relative to one another, to gasses in a gas mixture and wherein the detection circuit is adapted to detect the composition of the gas mixture from the different responses of the carbon nanotubes. 26. The molecular sensor of claim 23, wherein the detection circuit is adapted to use the detected response to detect a concentration of the at least one molecular species. 27. The molecular sensor of claim 23, wherein the detection circuit is adapted to use an electrical response of the nanotubes over time to detect the presence of the at least one molecular species. 28. The molecular sensor of claim 23, wherein the detection circuit is adapted to provide a direct electrical readout from the nanotubes. 29. A system for sensing a plurality of molecular species, the system comprising: a molecular sensor having a plurality of carbon nanotubes, at least two of the carbon nanotubes being differently functionalized and adapted to respond differently to different molecular species; a sampling arrangement adapted to sample a molecular species and to introduce the sample to the molecular sensor; and a detection circuit electrically coupled to the molecular sensor and adapted to detect an electrical response of the sensor to the sample and programmed to use the detected response to detect the presence of at least one molecular species in the sample. 30. The system of claim 29, further comprising a user interface adapted to provide a user output that indicates the presence of the at least one molecular species. 31. The system of claim 29, further comprising a transportation arrangement adapted to transport the sampling arrangement to a selected area for sampling. 32. The system of claim 31, further comprising a remote control arrangement adapted for controlling the transportation arrangement. 33. The system of claim 29, further comprising a flushing arrangement adapted to flush the molecular species from the molecular sensor. 34. The system of claim 29, wherein the sampling arrangement is adapted for sampling exhaust from a combustion engine.