Title:

Novel Synthesis Process for Carbon Nanotube Y Junctions

Case # 538
Inventors: Nicholas Gothard, Jay Gaillard, Apparao Rao
Summary: Carbon nanotube Y junctions are of great interest for the development of nanoelectronics, but their synthesis to date has mainly been accomplished by many step template-based processes. We have developed a one-step method for synthesizing these nanostructures via a thermal chemical vapor process (CVD). By judicious choice of catalyst, we are able to grow high purity aligned films of Y junction nanotubes in a thermal CVD system. Such junctions have a variety of branch diameter widths and adjustable stem lengths and have demonstrated rectification.
Applications: Due to their rectification properties, Y junctions show great promise for applications in nanoscale circuitry, possibly replacing silicone chip etching as a means of building computer circuits. This topic has been extensively discussed in Physical Review Letters.
Patent Status:

U.S. Patent # 7,144,563 has issued.

Licensing: The technology is available for non-exclusive or exclusive field of use licensing.
Contact:

For more information about this technology, please contact:

Vincie Albritton, Associate Director
Phone: (864) 656-5708
Fax: (864) 656-0474
email: valbrit@clemson.edu

or 

Janet Dillon, Project Administrator
Phone: (864) 656-4237
Fax: (864) 656-0474
email: gjanet@clemson.edu

Note: Don't forget to include the technology number in your emails!