This Nanotechnology art collection provides for disclosures
related to:
i. Nanostructure and chemical compositions of nanostructure;
ii. Device that include at least one nanostructure;
iii. Mathematical algorithms, e.g., computer software, etc.,
specifically adapted for modeling configurations or properties of
nanostructure;
iv. Methods or apparatus for making, detecting, analyzing,
or treating nanostructure; and
v. Specified particular uses of nanostructure.
As used above, the term "nanostructure" is
defined to mean an atomic, molecular, or macromolecular structure that:
(a) Has at least one physical dimension of approximately
1-100 nanometers; and
(b) Possesses a special property, provides a special function,
or produces a special effect that is uniquely attributable to the
structure s nanoscale physical size.
(1)
Note. It should be noted that this is a cross-reference collection
of art only and will not, therefore, take for original placement
any U.S. Patent.
(2)
Note. Class 977 generally does not cover chemical
or biological structures, per se, specifically
provided for elsewhere. That is, a compound, element, or composition
of matter of nanoscale dimension is not considered to be sufficient by itself for placement in Class 977.
Compounds, elements, composites, and compositions of matter of nanoscale
dimension are placed in the U.S. Patent Classification system (USPC)
where such compounds, elements, composites, and compositions of
matter are classifiable unless they have particularly shaped configurations
(e.g., fullerenes or fullerene-like structures, etc.) formed during
manufacture which impart special properties or functions to the
nanostructural assemblage related to the altering of basic chemical or physical properties attributed to the
nanoscale.
(3)
Note. Special properties and functionalities should be interpreted
broadly, and are defined as those properties and functionalities
that are significant, distinctive, non-nominal, noteworthy, or unique
as a result of the nanoscale dimension. In general, differences
in properties and functionalities that constitute mere differences
of scale are insufficient to warrant inclusion of the subject matter
in Class 977. The following non-limiting examples illustrate the
distinction between mere scaling of size attributes vs. special
attributes unique to nanoscale dimensions:
(a)
A conductor of nanoscale width that exhibits substantially
the same electrical properties (albeit scaled down) as when the same
conductor has a substantially larger width (and has no other special
properties) would not be classifiable in Class 977. However, a
conventional conductor that exhibits quantum confinement or superconductivity
only when formed so as to have a nanoscale width would be classifiable
in Class 977.
(b)
Nanosized catalyst and solid sorbent particles or catalyst
and solid sorbents having nanosized pores are only classified in this
class if it is shown that they achieve a unique property as a result
of the nanoscale dimension. This does not include the benefits
of having a higher specific surface area or a higher porosity, which
naturally follow from a reduction in particle size or pore size.
(4)
Note. The subject matter to be found here is limited to the
stated range of nanoscale dimension solely for physical dimension.
This includes physical dimensions that may be less than 1 nanometer
(e.g., on the order of Angstroms) or slightly larger than 100 nanometers.
Non-physical nanoscale dimensions are excluded from the scope of Class
977. The following are non-limiting examples of subject matter
having non-physical nanoscale dimensions that are generally excluded
from Class 977:
(a)
Electromagnetic radiation with wavelengths on the order of
1– 100 nanometers (i.e., extreme UV to soft X-ray wavelengths),
as well as related materials, devices and methods for producing
or for detecting wavelengths within this range;
(b)
Nanoscale effects or phenomena pertaining solely to electrical
fields, electric potentials or charge carriers when the underlying
physical structures that produce these phenomena or effects do not,
themselves, have nanoscale dimensions: e.g., charge depletion regions,
carrier energy-band bending effects, or 2-dimensional carrier gases
that exist within a region of less than a 100 nm width, but that
are produced at the junction of two layers, which in turn, each
have physical thicknesses substantially greater than 100 nm.
(5)
Note. Apparatus for manufacturing nanostructures, nanomaterials
and nanodevices under the scope of Class 977 is generally limited
to apparatus specifically adapted for creating ordered structures
on a nanometer scale, i.e., apparatus for "bottom up" manufacturing
to create larger structures from atomic and molecular constituents.
Apparatus for "top down" bulk manufacturing of nanostructures,
nanomaterials and nanodevices are generally excluded from this Class.
(6)
Note. The subject matter to be found here is generally limited
to subject matter that is not specifically provided for elsewhere within
the primary classification areas of the U.S. Patent Classification
System even if this subject matter may otherwise satisfy the stated
definition of nanotechnology. The following are non-limiting examples
of subject matter that is generally excluded from coverage by Class
977 for the following reasons:
(a)
Quantum well, quantum barrier, and superlattice structures
not specifically provided for in this Class, and which are more specifically
provided for in Class 257- Active Solid State Devices (see Section
II below, Class 257);
(b)
Molecular sieves and nanosized pores in catalysts, solid
sorbents, and supports therefor (See Section II, below, Class 502);
(c)
Colloids and solid sorbents, as well as processes of making
(See Section II, below, Class 516);
(d)
Devices possessing non-quantum-well or non-quantum-barrier
nanosheets (e.g., double-heterojunction p-i-n LEDs or p-i-n photodetectors
having a non-quantum well active layer with a thickness within the range
of 1–100 nm, etc.) or associated methods of making that
are not specifically provided for in the present cross-reference class, and which are more specifically provided
for elsewhere in Class 257-Active Solid-State Devices (e.g., Transistors, Solid-State
Diodes) subclasses 79+ for incoherent light emitter structures,
or subclasses 428+ responsive to electromagnetic or particle
radiation or light; or elsewhere in Class 438-Semiconductor Device
Manufacturing Process, subclasses 22+ for making device
or circuit emissive of nonelectrical signal or subclasses 57+ for making
device or circuit responsive to electromagnetic radiation;
(e)
Devices possessing nanosheet buffer layers that are not specifically
provided for in the present cross-reference class, and which
are more specifically provided for elsewhere in Class 257-Active
Solid-State Devices (e.g., Transistors, Solid-State Diodes) subclass
190 heterojunction device with lattice constant mismatch (e.g.,
with buffer layer to accommodate mismatch, etc.);
(f)
Nanosheets that function as refractive, reflective, antireflective
or light-shielding coatings or layers (e.g., optical waveguides and
Distributed Bragg Reflectors, etc.) or associated methods of making
that are not specifically provided for in the present cross-reference
class, and which are more specifically
provided for elsewhere in Class 257-Active Solid-State Devices (e.g.,
Transistors, Solid-State Diodes); Class 385-Optical Waveguides;
Class 372-Coherent Light Generators; or Class 438-Semiconductor
Device Manufacturing: Process subclasses;
(g)
Nanosheets in heterojunction devices serving functions besides,
or in addition to, buffering lattice mismatches or enhancing optical
properties that are not specifically provided for in the present
cross-reference class, and which
are more specifically provided for elsewhere in Class 257-Active Solid-State
Devices (e.g., Transistors, Solid-State Diodes), subclasses 183+ for heterojunction
devices (e.g., HEMTs and MESFETs, etc., having a nanosheet channel
layer regardless of whether a two-dimensional carrier gas is produced);
(h)
Devices possessing tunneling junctions that are not specifically
provided for in Class 977, and which
are more specifically provided for elsewhere in Class 257-Active Solid-State
Devices (e.g., Transistors, Solid-State Diodes) subclasses 104+ for tunneling
pn junction (e.g., Esaki diode, etc.) devices;
(i)
Electron field emitters (e.g., pointed "Spindt emitters," etc.,
wherein the emitter tips radius of curvature is less than 100 nm)
or associated methods of making that are not specifically provided
for in Class 977, and which are
more specifically provided for elsewhere in Class 257-Active Solid-State
Devices (e.g., Transistors, Solid-State Diodes) subclasses 10+ for
low workfunction layer for electron emission (e.g., photocathode
electron emissive layer, etc.).
(j)
Cells of organisms, such as prokaryotic or eukaryotic cells
or organelles thereof which are utilized generally for a function, which
is naturally occurring, are provided for elsewhere in Class 435.
(k)
Enzyme or protein complexes, such as multisubunit enzymes,
which are generally utilized for their normal or natural enzymatic
function are provided for elsewhere in Classes 435 and 530.
(l)
Viruses are generally provided for in Classes 424 and 435,
wherein the viruses or parts thereof have been modified so as to utilize
a function which is naturally or normally occurring as a virus function.
Such modification includes enhancement of natural function, for
example, to make a virus more virulent and also includes viral modification
to carry a genetic element or gene which is not present in naturally
occurring viruses. Bacterial viruses are generally termed bacteriophages.
A virus, however, that is utilized for a non-viral type of function,
such as being a building block for a Nanostructure would be included
in Class 977.
(m)
Protein engineering is provided for elsewhere in Class 530
such as directed to synthesis of enhanced function protein via a new
amino acid sequence, for example, to induce a newly folded form
with greater biological activity. If the protein engineering, however,
adds a function to the protein which was not previously present
such as a Nanostructured protein to possess a special property,
provide a special function, or produce a special effect; it is then
considered for classification in Class 977. An example of protein
engineering that reasonably is a Nanotechnology type of invention
is modifying a protein so that it is usable as a switching element
in an otherwise electronic circuit.
Measuring and Testing,
subclass 105 for atomic force microscope which scans a tip across
the surface of a sample and monitors the deflection of the tip caused
by atomic forces between the atoms in the tip and the atoms in the
sample.
Specialized Metallurgical Processes, Compositions
for Use Therein, Consolidated Metal Powder Compositions, and Loose
Metal Particulate Mixtures, appropriate subclasses based on metal powder composition;
subclasses 255 through 254for compositions which comprise loose particles
or a metal or alloy mixed with loose particles of a different metal
or alloy or with loose particles of a nonmetal; subclasses 331-341
for processes of producing metal or alloy particulates directly
from liquid metal; and subclasses 343-374 for processes of producing
metal or alloy powder, i.e., under 1,000 microns in its largest
dimension.
Single-Crystal, Oriented-Crystal, and Epitaxy Growth
Processes; Non-Coating Apparatus Therefor, particularly
subclasses 4 through 10for processes of crystal growth from solid or gel
state, and subclasses 84-109 for processes of crystal growth from
vapor state wherein the growth occurs by atomic layer deposition,
e.g., atomic layer epitaxy, etc.
Coating Apparatus,
subclasses 715 through 733for gas or vapor deposition apparatus, and particularly
subclass 723 for ion cluster beam deposition apparatus.
Metal Treatment,
subclasses 33 through 33.6for barrier layer stock material, including electrically
semiconductive superlattices formed via atomic layer deposition,
e.g., atomic layer epitaxy, etc.; subclasses 95-714 for processes of
modifying or maintaining the internal physical structure, i.e.,
microstructure, of metal or metal alloys such as by the creation
of nanosized precipitates via age hardening, etc.; and subclasses
400-442 for products of a Class 148 process.
Distillation: Processes, Thermolytic, appropriate subclasses for thermolytic distillation
processes limited to the heating of a solid carbonaceous material
(distilland) to vaporize the portion volatile under the conditions employed
and to cause a compound or compounds in the material to undergo
chemical decomposition (thermolysis) to form different chemical
substances, at least some of which are volatile under the condition
employed and an unvaporized solid carbonaceous material.
Radiant Energy,
subclass 216 for near-field scanning optical microscope wherein
light is directed through an aperture having a diameter less than
the wavelength of the light and the aperture is located adjacent
to a surface to be observed and scanned across the surface, and subclasses
306 and 307 for scanning tunneling microscopes and methods of using
them, respectively, wherein a potential voltage is applied across
a conductive sample and a conductive tip is scanned across the sample
without actually contacting the sample and the current of the electrons
tunneling across the gap between the sample and the tip is monitored.
Active Solid-State Devices (e.g., Transistors, Solid-State
Diodes),
subclasses 9 through 39for thin active physical layer which is (1) an active
potential well layer thin enough to establish discrete quantum energy
levels or (2) an active barrier layer thin enough to permit quantum
mechanical tunneling or (3) an active layer thin enough to permit
carrier transmission with substantially no scattering, e.g., superlattice quantum
well or ballistic transport device, etc.; subclasses 10 and 11 for
low workfunction layer for electron emission, e.g., photocathode electron
emissive layer, etc.; subclasses 40, 42, 43, 76-78, and 613-616
for semiconductors possessing specified organic or inorganic material
compositions; subclasses 79-103 for incoherent light emitter structures
and associated optical elements; subclasses 104-106 for tunneling
pn junction, e.g., Esaki diode, etc., devices; subclasses 183-201
for heterojunction devices including subclass 190 heterojunction device
with lattice constant mismatch, e.g., with buffer layer to accommodate
mismatch, etc.; subclass 194 for high electron mobility transistors
(HEMTs); and subclasses 428-466 for devices responsive to electromagnetic
or particle radiation or light and associated optical elements.
Electrical Generator or Motor Structure,
subclass 311 for piezoelectric elements and devices of the type
used to move scanning probe microscopes with nanometric resolution.
Electric Lamp and Discharge Devices,
subclasses 346 and 373-383 for photoemissive cathodes; and subclasses
527, 530, 541, and 542-544 for photocathodes in general.
Electricity: Measuring and Testing,
subclasses 244 and 260 for a scanning magnetic force microscopes;
subclasses 300-322 for scanning electron paramagnetic resonance
microscopes for using magnetic resonance with a scanning probe to
detect atomic structure in a sample surface; and subclasses 658-690
for scanning capacitance microscopes.
Coherent Light Generators,
subclasses 43.01 through 50.23for semiconductor devices having (1) quantum wells
and/or barriers for producing coherent light; and (2) waveguides, Distributed
Bragg Reflector, and other optical elements.
Optical Waveguides, appropriate subclasses for nanosheets that function
as refractive, reflective, antireflective or light-shielding coatings
or layers, e.g., optical waveguides and Distributed Bragg Reflectors,
etc.
Stock Material or Miscellaneous Articles, appropriate subclasses, particularly
subclass 408 for self-sustaining carbon mass, e.g. bulk structure
or layer comprising fullerene or fullerene-like structures, etc.;
subclasses 411.1-704 for non-structural laminates and subclasses 323-331
layer containing structurally defined particles; subclass 446 and
subclass 451 for laminates comprising a layer of silicon and a layer
of silicon next to addition polymers; subclasses 544-687 for structures
of all metal or with adjacent metals; subclasses 688-703 for non-structural
laminates of inorganic materials and subclass 620 for all metal
composite where one of the layers is a semiconductor layer; and subclasses
689-703 for non-structural laminates of inorganic metal compound
containing layer, e.g. ceramics, etc.
Semiconductor Device Manufacturing: Process,
subclasses 22 through 47for making devices or circuits emissive of nonelectrical signal,
subclasses 29, 65, and 69-72 for making light emitters and detectors
with optical elements; and subclasses 57-98 for making devices or
circuits responsive to electromagnetic radiation.
Catalyst, Solid Sorbent, or Support Therefor: Product
or Process of Making, appropriate subclasses for catalyst or solid sorbents
and methods of manufacture wherein nanoscale porosity is not disclosed
as imparting significant, distinctive, non-nominal, noteworthy,
or unique catalytic or sorbent properties other than derived from
the mere difference in surface area associated with nanoscale porosity.
Combinatorial Chemistry Technology: Method, Library,
Apparatus, for a chemical or biological library, a process
of creating said library, a process of testing involving said library,
an apparatus specially adapted for creating or testing involving
said library, or tags, labels, or linkers specially adapted for
use in combinatorial chemistry techniques.
Colloid Systems and Wetting Agents; Subcombinations
Thereof; Processes of Making, Stabilizing, Breaking, or Inhibiting,
subclasses 9 through 97for continuous liquid phase colloid systems, also
called colloid dispersions or colloid suspensions, including aerosols,
smokes, fogs, liquid foams, emulsions, sols, gels, coagulates, or
pastes; subclasses 98-112 for colloid systems of continuous or semicontinuous
liquid phase; subclasses 198-204 for wetting agents, etc., having
nanosized dispersed phase.
Surgery, appropriate subclasses, particularly
subclasses 300 through 595for measuring or detecting constituent of body
liquid; subclasses 407-480 for detecting nuclear, electromagnetic, or
ultrasonic radiation, subclasses 481-528 for cardiovascular; subclasses
529-543 for respiratory; and subclasses 544 and 545 for measuring electrical
characteristic of body portion.
Surgery,
subclasses 1 through 540for means of introducing/ removing substances
to/from the body for therapy; and subclasses 890.1-892.1
for implanted pump.
Prosthesis (i.e., Artificial Body Members), Parts
Thereof, or Aids and Accessories Therefor, appropriate subclasses for prosthetics, i.e., artificial
body members, parts, and aids and accessories.
SECTION III - GLOSSARY
2DEG (Two-Dimensional Electron Gas)
State of electrons in quantum well.
ARRAY
Arrangement of multiple units, usually ordered; array may
be organized in linear, flat, or 3-dimensional positioning of the
multiple units.
ARTIFICIAL ATOM
Quantum dot that confines a certain number or electrons producing
an electron waveform structure quantum, which is mechanically analogous
to an atom; alternatively used to describe hollow spherical fullerene,
such as buckyballs filled with a dopant, etc.
ATOMIC FORCE MICROSCOPE (AFM)
Instrument with a nanosized tip that manipulates or detects
based upon a separation dependency force between the tip and the
object being manipulated or detected.
BIOMIMETICS or BIOMIMICRY
Nanotechnology designed to mimic biological structure/processes.
BIONANOTECHNOLOGY (NANOBIOTECHNOLOGY)
Branch of nanotechnology that uses biological structures,
such as proteins, ATPs, DNA, etc., as building blocks of nanoscale
devices. Sometimes called "wet-dry" technology,
wherein the term "wet" pertains to biological
components and "dry" refers to engineered, inorganic
nanoparticles.
BOSE-EINSTEIN CONDENSATE
State of matter occurring in certain materials at low
temperature wherein particles behaving under Fermi-Dirac statistics,
such as electrons, etc., behave like particles under Bose-Einstein
statistics, such as photons, etc.; also occurs in superconducting
materials.
BOSE-EINSTEIN STATISTICS
Statistical distribution of boson particles, such as
photons (light particles), etc., occurring between energy states.
BOTTOM-UP MANUFACTURING
Manufacturing that starts with atomic or molecular particles
and builds up; term is often contrasted with top-down manufacturing
employing etching, deposition, evaporation, etc., associated with
traditional semiconductor processes in which processing involves
bulk addition or removal steps.
BROWNIAN MOTION
Stochastic motion of a particle suspended in a surrounding
gas or liquid comprised of other particles, molecules, or atoms,
which is in thermodynamic equilibrium.
BUCKMINSTERFULLERENE or BUCKYBALL
Soccer-ball-shaped form of fullerene (C60).
CHEMICAL FORCE MICROSCOPE
Scanning probe microscope with a chemically functionalized
tip.
CARBOHYDRATE
Polyhydroxy aldehydes or ketones which frequently have
the empirical formula (CH2O)n and
their derivatives, frequently termed saccharides; common forms are monosaccharides,
oligosaccharides, and polysaccharides.
COLLOID
Suspension of finely divided particles in a continuous medium,
which may be gaseous, liquid, or solid.
DE BROGLIE WAVELENGTH
Wavelength of a particle under quantum mechanical conditions
wherein the particle acts as a wave; calculated by a ratio of Planck’s
constant to the particle’s momentum.
DENDRIMER
Artificially manufactured molecule, such as a synthesized
polymer, etc.
DENSITY FUNCTIONAL THEORY (DFT)
Theory explaining and calculating the electronic structure
of molecules and solids.
DIP PEN NANOLITHOGRAPHY
Method of fabrication utilizing a scanning probe tip
to draw nanostructures on surfaces.
ENZYME
Protein that functions as a biochemical catalyst for
a biochemical reaction.
FERMI-DIRAC STATISTICS
Statistical distribution of fermionic particles, such
as electrons between energy states, etc.
FULLERENE
Any of various cage-like, hollow molecules composed of
hexagonal and pentagonal groups of atoms, and especially those formed
from carbon, that constitute the third form of carbon after diamond
and graphite; alternatively, a class of cage-like carbon compounds
composed of fused, pentagonal, or hexagonal sp2 carbon
rings.
FULLERIDE
Fullerene doped with alkali metal.
GRAETZEL CELL
Photovoltaic cell that uses nanoscale titanium dioxide and
organic dye to obtain electrical current from incident light.
GRAPHENE
Two-dimensional sheet form of fullerene.
GENE THERAPY
Treatment of a disease or disorder via insertion of a
foreign gene into a cell or cells in order to change the genetic
content thereof.
LANGMUIR-BLODGETT FILM
Film of surfactant molecules on a liquid surface forming regular
stacks (a multilayer) or can be only one molecule thick (a monolayer);
may also be formed on solid surfaces.
LIPID
Water-insoluble organic substances naturally found in cells
that are extractable by nonpolar solvents such as chloroform, ether,
or benzene. Lipids generally serve four general functions: (1) as
structural components of membranes; (2) as intracellular storage
depots of metabolic fuel; (3) as a transport form of metabolic fuel;
and (4) as protective components of cell walls of many organisms.
Some examples of natural lipids are long-chain fatty acids, fatty
acid esters, acylglycerols, phosphoglycerides, steroids, waxes,
terpenes, and fat-soluble vitamins.
LIPOSOME
Particle with a lipid-containing outer wall that has
an interior space that may contain various molecule types.
MAGNETIC FORCE MICROSCOPE
Scanning probe microscope in which a magnetic force causes
the tip to move.
MAXWELL-BOLTZMANN STATISTICS
Statistical distribution of classical (nonquantum) particles,
such as molecules in a gas, etc., between energy states.
MEMS (MICROELECTROMECHANICAL SYSTEMS)
Systems including components from 1-100 microns in size
with a movable member and an electrical input and/or output
to the movable member; refers to scanning probes and other devices
interfacing with the nanoscale; differentiated from nanotechnology
not just in size but also via top-down versus bottom-up manufacturing approach.
MOIETY
Component part of a complex molecule.
MOLECULAR ASSEMBLER or NANOASSEMBLER or ASSEMBLER
Theoretical conception of a molecular machine capable of
building other molecular structures.
MOLECULAR ELECTRONICS or MOLETRONICS
Electronic devices based on components consisting of individual
molecules.
MOLECULAR NANOTECHNOLOGY
Broadly refers to nanotechnology involving molecules. (Drexlerian)
Sometimes used to distinguish nanotechnology employing theoretical
molecular assemblers from other forms of nanotechnology.
MWNT (MULTI-WALLED NANOTUBE)
Formed of multiple layers of graphene wrapped in cylindrical
form.
NANOCLUSTER
Cluster of atoms or molecules whose characteristic dimensions
are a few nanometers; sometimes synonymous with nanocrystal or denoting
structures smaller than nanocrystals.
NANOCOMPOSITE
Composite structure whose characteristic dimensions are
found at the nanoscale.
NANOCRYSTAL
Nanoscopic particle containing a few hundred to a few tens
of thousands of atoms, and arranged in an orderly, crystalline structure;
often refers to metallic nanoparticles.
NANOPORE
Pore of nanometer dimensions.
NANOROD
Nanostructures shaped like long sticks or dowels with
a diameter in the nanoscale but having a length that is very much
longer.
NANOTUBE
Fullerene molecule having a cylindrical or toroidal shape.
NANOTWEEZERS
Element used to pick up and place individual nanosized particles,
usually including two opposing nanosized elements, such as nanotubes,
etc., that pick and place the nanosized particles.
NANOWIRE
Electrically conductive nanorod; alternatively, a wire with
a diameter of nanometer dimensions.
NANOWHISKER
Often synonymous with nanorod, nanowire, or nanotube.
NEAR FIELD SCANNING OPTICAL MICROSCOPE
Scanning probe microscope that analyzes an object by recording
light intensity focused through a pipette in the tip and scanned
across the object at a distance less than a wavelength of the light.
NUCLEIC ACID
Compounds containing three components: (1) a nitrogenous
base; (2) a five-carbon sugar; and (3) phosphoric acid; forms include
mononucleotides, oligonucleotides and polynucleotides. The most
common forms are DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) and RNA (ribonucleic acid),
which predominantly occur in nature in polynucleotide form that
are polymers of mononucleotides.
POLYMER
Extended molecule made by bonding together subunits called
monomers; examples include polystyrene, polyethylene, and protein
(natural polymer of amino acids).
PROTEIN FOLDING
Process by which a protein assumes its functional shape; protein
folding problem involves the prediction of the protein three-dimensional
shape based on its amino acid sequence.
PROTEIN or PEPTIDE
Polymer of amino acid monomeric units linked via peptide
bonds; peptide is a short polymer of amino acid units, commonly
less than 100 such monomers therein.
QUANTUM CELL
Structure comprising four quantum dots arranged in a square,
with two diagonally opposed dots containing electron charges. One
diagonal containing charges is arbitrarily defined as representing
a value of "1", the other as "0";
in a five-dot cell, the fifth, central dot contains no charge.
QUANTUM CELL WIRE
Wire in which information is transferred by a change
in orientation of quantum cells arranged in a line as opposed to
utilizing electron flow.
QUANTUM COMPUTING
Computing scheme dependent upon wavelike properties of
elementary particles.
QUANTUM DOT
Broadly, a structure that promotes confinement of electron(s)/hole(s)
in three dimensions; alternatively, a location capable of containing
a single electron charge; synonymous with single electron transistor,
qubit, and quantum bit.
QUANTUM ENTANGLEMENT
The process of combining two separate pieces of information
so that they can be treated as a single entity; a correlation between
quantum states, e.g., spin, polarization, etc., of two or more particles.
QUANTUM TUNNELING
Effect of transferring of particles through a potential barrier
larger than the particles total energy that occurs based upon the
barrier thickness and the difference between the potential barrier
energy and the particle energy.
QUANTUM UNCERTAINTY PRINCIPLE
Principle stating that the position of a particle and
its momentum, or alternatively, energy of the particle and time
of measurement; cannot be simultaneously measured with arbitrary
precision; noted to not be a significant factor at length scales
above the level of an atom.
QUANTUM WELL
Broadly, a structure that promotes electron or hole confinement
in one dimension so that the electron or hole can only propagate
with two degrees of freedom; with respect to semiconductor physics,
a semiconductor heterostructure utilizing a narrow bandgap semiconductor sandwiched
between two layers of a larger bandgap semiconductor; alternatively,
a potential well that confines particles within a planar region
wherein the width of the region is on the order of the De Broglie
wavelength of the particles.
QUANTUM WIRE
Structure that promotes electron or hole confinement
in two dimensions so that the electron or hole can only propagate
with one degree of freedom.
SAM (SELF-ASSEMBLED MONOLAYER)
Molecule-thick, self-assembled film formed at an interface,
e.g., gas/liquid, gas/solid, etc.
SCANNING PROBE MICROSCOPE
Generic term for Scanning Tunneling Microscope (STM)
and Atomic Force Microscope (AFM) in their many forms.
SCANNING TUNNELING MICROSCOPE (STM)
Instrument with a nanosized tip that manipulates or detects
operation based on a quantum tunneling effect generating a current
between the tip and an object being manipulated or detected based
upon the size of the gap between the tip and object.
SELF-ASSEMBLY
Method of assembling molecules utilizing thermodynamic
tendency to seek the lowest energy state for a group of molecules.
SWNT (SINGLE-WALLED NANOTUBE)
Formed from one layer of graphene wrapped in cylindrical
form.
VACCINE
Suspension of attenuated or killed microorganisms or viruses
that are incapable of inducing severe infection but are capable
of producing immune memory when inoculated into a complex organism.
VIRUS
Submicroscopic organism, which may be pathogenic, composed
essentially of a core of nucleic acid enclosed by a protein coat,
able to replicate only within a living cell.
This subclass is indented under the class definition. Subject matter directed to the structural features, properties,
or characteristics of at least one nanosized element, component,
or device.
This subclass is indented under subclass 700. Subject matter wherein a nanostructure is integrated onto
a common substrate with one or more different structures, devices,
or systems that, in turn, may or may not constitute or include a
nanostructure.
(1)
Note. Classification under this subclass sequence is appropriate
when dissimilar structures, including at least one nanostructure,
are integrated on a common substrate, regardless of whether any
one of the dissimilar structures, itself, has uniqueness independent
of the integration.
This subclass is indented under subclass 701. Subject matter wherein the dissimilar structures constitute
a component that is derived from or relating to a living organism.
This subclass is indented under subclass 702. Subject matter wherein the biological material component
is a protein or a peptide.
(1)
Note. Protein is any of numerous naturally occurring complex
combinations of amino acids that contain the elements carbon, hydrogen,
nitrogen, oxygen, and other elements.
(2)
Note. Peptide is a derivative of two or more amino acids by
combination of the amino group of one acid with the carboxyl group
of another acid and is usually obtained by partial hydrolysis of proteins.
This subclass is indented under subclass 702. Subject matter wherein the biological material component
is a carbohydrate.
(1)
Note. Carbohydrate is any of various neutral compounds of
carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen, such as sugars, starches, and celluloses,
etc., most of which are formed by green plants.
This subclass is indented under subclass 701. Subject matter wherein two or more different kinds of nanosized
structures or devices are integrated on the common substrate.
(1)
Note. A specific example of the subject matter included in
this subclass is substrate supporting one or more semiconductor
nanodots and one or more metal nanodots, but would NOT be proper
for a substrate supporting only an array of identical nanodots.
This subclass is indented under subclass 701. Subject matter including a separate switching device.
(1)
Note. The switching devices may or may not constitute or include
nanostructures, e.g., a quantum-dot memory array and peripheral,
carbon-nanotube-based circuitry interconnected by a separate array of
conventional selected transistors, etc.
This subclass is indented under subclass 708. Subject matter wherein the nanosized switching device constitutes
a molecular structure that exhibits switching properties or capability, e.g.,
to shift from one to another state, function, etc.
This subclass is indented under subclass 709. Subject matter wherein the switching device constitutes
a molecular structure of a living organism, e.g., a receptor/ligand
switching pair, etc.
This subclass is indented under subclass 701. Subject matter wherein identical or different nanostructures
are provided in two or more layers on a common substrate such as
plural layers, each containing vertical nanowires (or "nanovias")
for interconnecting three or more interconnected layers; or (2)
quantum-dot memory device formed on one layer and nanovias formed
on one or more other layers.
This subclass is indented under subclass 712. Subject matter including one or more nanosized layers that
are lipids, e.g., a layered microchip with a lipid nanolayer for
attaching component(s) thereon, etc.
This subclass is indented under subclass 713. Subject matter wherein the lipid layer contain one or more
protein molecules, e.g., protein spanning a lipid layer structure,
etc.
This subclass is indented under subclass 701. Subject matter wherein the common substrate consists of
a material relating to or containing carbon compounds, i.e. made
of organic material.
This subclass is indented under subclass 715. Subject matter wherein the substrate constitutes a nucleic
acid, e.g., substrate made of chromosomal network material, etc.
This subclass is indented under subclass 701. Subject matter wherein the common substrate has an ability
to transmit or conduct electrical current; i.e., an electrically
conducting, semi-conducting, or semi-insulating substrate.
(1)
Note. "Semi-insulating structures" were included
in this subsection (as opposed to being included in the insulating
substrate subsection) so that distinctions would not have to be
drawn between a semiconductor substrate that is doped with shallow
impurities, i.e., n- or p-doped, undoped, or doped with deep-level
impurities, e.g., Fe or Au, etc.
This subclass is indented under subclass 720. Subject matter wherein the common substrate is composed
of silicon.
(1)
Note. This subclass includes Si substrate that may be doped
with shallow-level dopants, e.g., p-doped with Al or Ga impurities
or n-doped with P or As impurities, etc.; doped with deep-level dopants,
e.g., Au or Pt, etc.; or undoped.
This subclass is indented under subclass 700. Subject matter wherein the device includes at least one
nanosized flexible member, e.g., a cantilever or diaphragm, etc.;
or the device includes a first member that moves, slides, or rotates
relative to a second member, in which the first member, second member,
or means to interconnect the first and second members are composed
of a nanosized structure.
This subclass is indented under subclass 724. Subject matter wherein the nanosized flexible or movable
element of a device receives a form of energy to produce motion
or to convert a form of energy into mechanical energy.
This subclass is indented under subclass 725. Subject matter wherein the received energy is produced by
a chemical reaction or derived from a living organism.
This subclass is indented under subclass 724. Subject matter wherein the nanosized flexible or movable
element or structure is composed of or includes a material relating
to life or a living organism.
This subclass is indented under subclass 727. Subject matter wherein the biological material is specifically
derived from a protein or a unit thereof.
(1)
Note. Protein is any of numerous naturally occurring complex
combinations of amino acids that contain the elements carbon, hydrogen,
nitrogen, oxygen, and other elements.
This subclass is indented under subclass 727. Subject matter wherein the nanosized flexible or movable
biological material is specifically employed for electrical or electronic
purpose, e.g., used in an electrical device, etc.
This subclass is indented under subclass 724. Subject matter wherein the nanosized flexible or movable
element or structure constitutes a single atom, molecule, or a group
of same elements, e.g., a single atom, molecule, or a group of same
elements that is capable of moving around within a hollow cavity
of a molecular chamber.
This subclass is indented under subclass 724. Subject matter including a nanosized structural member with
a first end fixed to a support and a second end free to move relative
to the support.
This subclass is indented under subclass 724. Subject matter including a nanosized plate, disk, or sheet
that bends or vibrates in response to pressure or sound waves.
(1)
Note. This subclass does not cover the alternative definition
of diaphragm commonly used in the field of optics wherein the term
refers to a ring or plate with a hole in the center which is placed
on the axis of an optical instrument, such as a camera, and which
controls the amount of light entering the instrument.
This subclass is indented under subclass 700. Subject matter wherein the nanostructure is formed of caged,
curved, or planar graphene or wherein the nanostructure is formed
or caged, curved or planar graphene, or hexagon ring structure which
constitutes either a non-carbon-based composition, e.g., WS2 or
MoS2, etc., or substantially a non-carbon-based,
e.g., planar C3N4, etc.
(1)
Note. Graphene is the name given to a single layer of (most
commonly) carbon atoms densely packed into a hexagon ring structure;
it is widely used to describe properties of many materials including
graphite, soot, fullerenes having a caged molecular structure, e.g., buckyballs,
nanotubes, and nanococoons, etc.; fullerenes having a curved or partially
caged molecular structure, e.g., nanohorns and nanoscrolls, etc.;
and fullerenes having a planar molecular structure (although planar
graphene itself has been historically presumed to be unstable and
typically not existing in the free state).
(2)
Note. Fullerene, also called buckminsterfullerene or buckyball,
is a large molecule comprised specifically or primarily of carbon
atoms and having shape of an empty cage, i.e., carbon cage.
(3)
Note. This subclass contains fullerene-like structures that
are not strictly carbon-based cage structures, whereas subclass
735 and its indents contain carbon-based fullerenes.
(4)
Note. A buckyball having a C60–like molecular
structure wherein roughly a quarter or a half of the atoms are
non-carbon atoms, e.g., C40X20,
etc., would be properly classified as a fullerene-like structure.
Stock Material or Miscellaneous Articles, appropriate subclasses, particularly
subclass 408 for self-sustaining carbon mass, e.g., bulk structure
or layer comprising fullerene or fullerene-like structures, etc.
This subclass is indented under subclass 734. Subject matter wherein the fullerene specifically has a
spherical or quasi-spherical carbon-cage molecular structure.
(1)
Note. Carbon-based fullerenes having a C60–like
molecular structure wherein several non-carbon atoms substituted
for several C atoms, e.g., C57X3,
etc., are included in this subclass.
This subclass is indented under subclass 735. Subject matter wherein the buckyball includes additional
atoms or molecules, e.g., tri-metallic atom clusters, etc. interior
to the carbon-cage structure, e.g., farctate buckyballs, etc.
This subclass is indented under subclass 735. Subject matter wherein the surface of the buckyball is functionalized
with a dissimilar atom or molecule.
This subclass is indented under subclass 737. Subject matter wherein the surface of the buckyball is functionalized
by a material relating to a living organism, or a carbon-based or
a hydrocarbon based material.
This subclass is indented under subclass 738. Subject matter wherein the surface of the buckyball is functionalized
by an enzyme.
(1)
Note. An enzyme is any of numerous proteins or conjugated
proteins produced by living organisms functioning as chemical catalysts
in living organisms.
This subclass is indented under subclass 737. Subject matter wherein the surface of the buckyball is modified
by bonding or attaching a dissimilar atom or molecule to the surface.
This subclass is indented under subclass 737. Subject matter wherein at least one of the carbon atom constituting
the buckyball carbon cage is replaced by a dissimilar atom or molecule.
This subclass is indented under subclass 734. Subject matter wherein the fullerene specifically has a
cylindrical or tubular (non-spherical) carbon-cage molecular structure.
This subclass is indented under subclass 742. Subject matter wherein the CNT includes an additional atom
or molecule interior to the carbon-cage molecular structure, e.g.,
farctate nanotube, etc.
This subclass is indented under subclass 745. Subject matter wherein the surface of the CNT is functionalized
by a material relating to a living organism, or a carbon-based or
hydrocarbon-based material.
This subclass is indented under subclass 746. Subject matter wherein the surface of the CNT is functionalized
by an enzyme.
(1)
Note. An enzyme is any of numerous proteins or conjugated
proteins produced by living organisms functioning as chemical catalysts
in living organisms.
This subclass is indented under subclass 745. Subject matter wherein the surface of the CNT is modified
by bonding or attaching a dissimilar atom or molecule to the surface.
This subclass is indented under subclass 745. Subject matter wherein the carbon atom constituting the
CNT cage is replaced by a dissimilar atom or molecule.
This subclass is indented under subclass 750. Subject matter wherein the single-walled CNT has a specified
chirality or bandgap.
(1)
Note. Chirality refers to the particular orientation in which
the planar carbon sheet, i.e., graphene, is wrapped upon itself.
This subclass groups chirality and electrical conductivity together
because each chiral species of CNTs has an associated, inherent
energy bandgap; and the CNT may also alter the bandgap while functionalizing.
(2)
Note. A bandgap is a function of or related to the CNT s chirality.
This subclass is indented under subclass 734. Subject matter wherein a polymeric, i.e. formed by polymer,
or organic, i.e., containing carbon atom, binder serves as a host
matrix or adhesive for attaching, bonding or connecting a fullerene
structure to other structures, e.g., to other fullerenes, nanosized
structures, supporting substrates, conventional structures, etc.
(1)
Note. Polymer is a high-molecular-weight natural or synthetic
compound composed of repeated linked units, usually comprised of
the same chemical elements.
This subclass is indented under subclass 700. Subject matter wherein the nanostructure is a polymer having
a serially branching structure, i.e., including a branching structure
wherein at least one of the branches, in turn, possesses a second
branching structure.
(1)
Note. The "serially branching structure" requirement
of this subclass is included for the purpose of excluding from this subclass
structures that only have one or more non-repeating branches, e.g.,
a straight-chain hydrocarbon molecule with one or more ethyl groups
that are respectively attached only to the hydrocarbon chain itself,
etc.
(2)
Note. Under this subclass, the nth-order branching
structure may be the same as, or different from, the (nth-x)-order branching
structure.
This subclass is indented under subclass 700. Subject matter wherein only one dimension of the nanostructure
is 100 nm or less.
(1)
Note. As used herein, "nanosheet," is not only
generic to the terms, "quantum well" and "quantum
barrier," but also is broader than both of these terms
combined. For a layer to be a "nanosheet," it must
merely have a physical thickness of 100 nm or less.
(2)
Note. This subclass includes nanosheet or quantum barriers/wells
that are not otherwise provided for in the U.S. Patent Classification
System.
(3)
Note. Class 257, subclasses 9-39 generally takes priority
for the classification of quantum-well, quantum-barrier and superlattice
structures. To reduce duplication, nanostructures that are classifiable
under those subclasses are generally excluded from cross-reference
classification under subclass 755 unless some other nanosized structure,
feature, or characteristic provides an additional basis for cross-reference
classification. Subclasses 758-761 of Class 977 are non-exhaustive
examples of nanosized structures, features, and characteristics that
would warrant cross-reference classification in the Class 977 schedule.
(4)
Note. Class 257, subclasses 94-97 generally takes priority
for the classification of double-heterojunction (non quantum-well)
light emitting diodes (LEDs) wherein the active layer or any other layer
has a sub-100 nm thickness. To reduce duplication, such nanosized
layers provided within LEDs should be excluded from cross-reference
classification under subclass 755 unless some other nanosized structure,
feature, or characteristic provides an additional basis for cross-reference
classification.
(5)
Note. Class 257, subclasses 183-201 generally takes priority
for the classification of all semiconductor devices that have nanosized
heterostructure layers. To reduce duplication, such nanosized layers
should be excluded from cross-reference classification under 977/755 unless
some other nanosized structure, feature or characteristic provides
an additional basis for cross-reference classification. This general
exclusion specifically includes: (1) nanosized lattice-mismatch
or buffer layers (Class 257/190); (2) compositionally-graded
layers (Class 257/191) unless the structure is a superlattice
with a graded effective bandgap such that classification is proper
under 977/760; and (3) nanosized layers that are provided
in heterojunction field effect transistors (Class 257/192, 257/194).
This subclass is indented under subclass 755. Subject matter wherein the nanosheet specifically has a
single atomic layer thickness.
(1)
Note. Synonyms of "mono-atomic layer" include "monolayer," "ML" and "delta-doped
layer/sheet."
(2)
Note. One characteristic setting delta-doped sheets apart
from other nanosheets is that the impurity concentrations for delta-doped
sheets are most typically (but not always) set forth in units of
atoms/cm2 (squared) instead of a
conventional nanosheet layer’s impurity units of atoms/cm3 (cubed).
This subclass is indented under subclass 755. Subject matter wherein the quantum well has dimensions that
enable intrasubband transitions between plural discrete energy levels
that exist within either the conduction band alone or the valence
band alone (as opposed to interband transitions between the conduction
and valence bands).
This subclass is indented under subclass 755. Subject matter wherein a graded effective bandgap is realized
by serially altering the dimensions or compositions of quantum wells or
barriers within a superlattice.
(1)
Note. Such superlattices are commonly referred to as Coherent
Hetero-Interfaces for Reflection and Penetration- or CHIRP-graded
superlattices.
(2)
Note. A superlattice is an active layer thin enough to permit
carrier transmission.
This subclass is indented under subclass 755. Subject matter including (1) quarter-wave superlattices
that increase the reflection of carriers of at least one energy
in the classical continuum (tbarrier,well= nintegerλcarriers/4);
(2) half-wave superlattices that increase the transmission of carriers
of at least one energy in the classical continuum (tbarrier,well= nintegerλcarriers/4= nintegerλcarriers/2);
(3) superlattices including combinations of quarter-wave-thickness
and half-wave-thickness regions for filtering carriers of at least
one energy in the classical continuum; or (4) superlattices including
distinct regions that reflect or transmit carriers of distinct energies
for providing a graded effective bandgap that is greater than that
of the bulk barrier bandgap.
(1)
Note. See the illustration, below, for a graphic example of
a quarter-wave-thickness or reflection superlattice wherein the
effective conduction-band barrier height is increased above the
bulk barrier height by an energy δE, thereby reflecting
electrons having energies less than that depicted by the dashed
line.
(2)
Note. It should be emphasized that the quarter-wavelength
thicknesses of the wells or barriers are set according to the wavelength
of carriers (i.e., electrons or holes)
incident upon the reflection superlattice NOT the
wavelength of any photons/light waves that
might be absorbed by, or emitted from, the superlattice or by/from
any surrounding areas.
This subclass is indented under subclass 700. Subject matter wherein the nanostructure has two physical
dimensions that are of 100 nm or less.
(1)
Note. The term, "quantum wire" refers to
an elongated structure having a carrier affinity that is larger
than that of the material or vacuum that surrounds it, and having
a diameter small enough (typically on the order of 20 nm or less)
to support discrete or quantized allowed energy levels.
(2)
Note. As used herein, the term "nanowire," is
broader than "quantum wire" because a "nanowire" must
merely have a physical diameter that is 100 nm or less. Thus, "nanowire" also
reads on various, additional sub-100 nm wires, such as: (1) relatively
large electron affinity wires supporting/having overlapping
or non-quantized energy levels; or (2) any other sub-100 nm-thick
wire irrespective of its carrier affinity relative to its surroundings.
(3)
Note. Common synonyms for nanowire or quantum wire include
quantum or nanowhiskers, quantum, or nanolines; quantum or nanorods,
one-dimensional wires/lines/rods; and one-dimensional wires/lines/rods.
This subclass is indented under subclass 762. Subject matter wherein a nanowire is formed along, atop,
or in between the supporting surface of crystallographic terraces
or ridges, or wherein these crystallographic terraces or ridges,
themselves, form the nanowire.
(1)
Note. Crystallographic terraces or ridges are atomic-scale,
periodic protrusions that may extend in either a straight or meandering
direction along the surface of certain crystalline planes, e.g.,
along the (5 5 12) plane, etc.
This subclass is indented under subclass 762. Subject matter wherein either a wire array or a surrounding
host matrix structure has a specified pitch, i.e. packing density.
This subclass is indented under subclass 762. Subject matter wherein the wire has a specified cross-sectional
profile, e.g., circular, rectangular or belt-shaped, hexagonal,
etc.
This subclass is indented under subclass 768. Subject matter wherein the nanowire is constituted of a
polymer having repeated amide groups (i.e., CONH2groups).
This subclass is indented under subclass 766. Subject matter wherein the longitudinal axis of the nanowire
curves in a planar, open-ended, or close-ended circular configuration.
This subclass is indented under subclass 771. Subject matter wherein the nanoring is formed via circular
structure biomolecules such as DNA plasmids or vectors, heme-type
molecules, or coordination complex molecular structures.
This subclass is indented under subclass 773. Subject matter wherein the nanoparticle has a carrier affinity
that is larger than that of the material or vacuum that surrounds
it.
(1)
Note. The term "quantum dot" refers to a substantially
ball-shaped, cube-shaped, or cluster-shaped structure having a carrier
affinity that is larger than that of the material or vacuum that
surrounds it, and having a width/diameter small enough (typically
on the order of 20 nm or less) to support discrete or quantized
allowed energy levels.
(2)
Note. As used herein, the term "nanodot," is
broader than "quantum dot" because a "nanodot" must
merely have a physical diameter that is 100 nm or less. Thus, "nanodot" also
reads on various, additional sub-100 nm structures, such as: (1)
clusters of atoms which have a relatively large electron affinity
but which support non-quantized or overlapping energy levels; or
(2) any other sub-100 nm-diameter structure irrespective of its
carrier affinity relative to its surroundings.
(3)
Note. This subclass is intended to include (1) true "quantum
dots" (wherein the energy levels are quantized) and also
(2) other dot structures that possess relatively large carrier affinities
or that are used for their (semi/)conducting or electronic
characteristics, even though the energy levels supported by the
dots overlap or are not quantized.
(4)
Note. While this schedule distinguishes nanoparticles from
quantum dots for classification purposes, many references use these
terms interchangeably. Common synonyms for quantum dots include:
nanodots, quantum or nanoparticles, quantum or nanoclusters, quantum or
nanopowders, artificial atoms, zero-dimensional dots, and 0-D dots.
This subclass is indented under subclass 773. Subject matter wherein the nanoparticle is composed of a
nanosized powder or flake, especially stand-alone powders or flakes
that are not further disposed, suspended, or dissolved within a
host/barrier/matrix composition, compound, or
solution.
Specialized Metallurgical Processes, Compositions
for Use Therein, Consolidated Metal Powder Compositions, and Loose
Metal Particulate Mixtures, appropriate subclasses for subject matter based
on metal powder composition.
This subclass is indented under subclass 775. Subject matter wherein the nanosized powder or flake
is specifically composed of a specified metallic composition or
alloy.
This subclass is indented under subclass 700. Subject matter directed towards a specified host/barrier/matrix
composition, compound, or solution in which at least one nanosized
structure, e.g., fullerene, nanowire, etc., is formed, disposed,
suspended, or dissolved.
Stock Material or Miscellaneous Articles, appropriate subclasses, particularly
subclasses 323 through 331for layer containing structurally defined particles
and subclasses 411.1-704 for non-structural laminates.
This subclass is indented under subclass 778. Subject matter wherein the host/barrier/matrix composition,
compound or solution possesses a nanostructure of specified composition wherein
all three dimensions are of 100 nm or less.
(1)
Note. Simple atomic, impurity doping is excluded from coverage
because this would read on virtually every solid-state semiconductor
device, as they are all doped with shallow-level impurities (i.e., n-doped
or p-doped) and/or deep-level impurities.
This subclass is indented under subclass 778. Subject matter wherein the host/barrier/matrix composition,
compound or solution contains a fullyenclosed nanosized physical
hole, void or bubble of gas or vacuum.
(1)
Note. "Physical hole" as used in this subclass
is distinguished from the meaning of "hole" as
commonly employed in semiconductor physics to mean the absence of
an electron.
This subclass is indented under subclass 778. Subject matter wherein the host/barrier/matrix composition
or compound has a surface that contains downward-extending, nanosized physical
concavity, depression, recess, groove, via-hole, or pore that is
not fully enclosed.
This subclass is indented under subclass 778. Subject matter wherein the host/barrier/matrix composition
or compound contains a nanosized physical, convexity, ridge protrusion,
or bump extending upward from surface.
This subclass is indented under subclass 778. Subject matter wherein the nanosized structure is a host/barrier/matrix
composition, e.g., a lipid layer, etc., or a compound or solution related
to or derived from an organic source, such as a living organism,
which contains within the host or layer other components which may
or may not be nanomaterials, e.g., proteins present in a lipid bilayer,
etc.
This subclass is indented under subclass 778. Subject matter wherein the host/barrier/matrix composition,
compound, or solution has the ability to transmit or conduct electrical
current; i.e., electrically conducting, semi-conducting, or semi-insulating.
This subclass is indented under subclass 778. Subject matter wherein the host/barrier/matrix composition,
compound or solution is unable to transmit or conduct electrical
current; i.e., electrically insulating.
This subclass is indented under subclass 778. Subject matter wherein the host/matrix constitutes
a substance that can flow, i.e., fluidic substance such as liquid
or gas, in which nanostructures are present, e.g., nanoparticles in
an aqueous solution, etc.
This subclass is indented under subclass 786. Subject matter wherein the fluidic substance wherein nanostructures
are present has a relatively high resistance to flow.
This subclass is indented under subclass 700. Subject matter wherein either (1) a nanostructure itself
is composed of an organic carbon-based material/composition,
or (2) a substrate or host structure is composed of an organic carbon-based
material and is specifically adapted for bonding with, supporting
or containing a nanostructure.
(1)
Note. This subclass and its indents are intended to broadly
cover organic or carbon-based chemical structures, materials or
compositions that constitute, include, or are specifically attached
to nanosized structures.
(2)
Note. This subclass and its indents exclude inorganic carbon
based structures, compositions or materials, such as carbon-based
fullerenes and CxSiyGezcompounds.
This subclass is indented under subclass 788. Subject matter wherein the organic carbon based nanostructures
are orderly arranged in some type of pattern.
This subclass is indented under subclass 789. Subject matter wherein the array consists of dissimilar
organic carbon-based nanostructures, e.g., biological entity particles
like proteins, etc.
This subclass is indented under subclass 790. Subject matter wherein the organic carbon-based nanostructures
are different in chemical properties, generally not biological in
nature.
This subclass is indented under subclass 788. Subject matter wherein the organic carbon-based material
or composition is relating to or derived from a living organism.
This subclass is indented under subclass 795. Subject matter wherein the biological material or composition
possesses a specified electrical property or is used within an electronic
device or for an electro-biological application.
This subclass is indented under subclass 788. Subject matter wherein the organic carbon-based nanostructures
is a lipid particle type material, e.g., vesicle or spherical lipid
structure, etc.
This subclass is indented under subclass 797. Subject matter wherein the lipid particle contains another
material inside its structure or boundary, e.g., spherical container,
etc.
This subclass is indented under subclass 798. Subject matter wherein the material that is internalized
in the lipid particle is derived from or relating to a living organism.
This subclass is indented under subclass 799. Subject matter wherein the biological material internalized
in the lipid particle is a medicine, i.e., a chemical substance
utilized in biological disease or condition treatment.
This subclass is indented under subclass 802. Subject matter wherein a material that is internalized within
a virus interior space is derived from or relating to a living organism.
This subclass is indented under subclass 803. Subject matter wherein the biological material is a medicine,
i.e., a chemical substance utilized in biological disease or condition
treatment.
This subclass is indented under subclass 802. Subject matter wherein the virus based particle is externally
modified with a chemical attachment, e.g., display phage modification,
etc.
This subclass is indented under subclass 806. Subject matter wherein the exterior chemical attachment
is adapted for a tracking purpose, e.g., used for recognizing the
virus-based particle, etc.
This subclass is indented under subclass 806. Subject matter wherein the exterior chemical attachment
is adapted for directing the virus based particle to a target site,
e.g., chemical delivery to a specific site for therapeutic purposes,
etc.
This subclass is indented under subclass 788. Subject matter wherein the organic material or composition
is specifically formed on a doped or undoped silicon layer/substrate,
either directly or indirectly by means of an intermediate/buffer
layer.
Stock materials or Miscellaneous Articles, appropriate subclasses, particularly
subclass 446 and subclass 451 for laminates comprising a layer of
silicon and a layer of silicon next to addition polymers.
This subclass is indented under subclass 700. Subject matter wherein the nanostructure is constituted
of or surrounded by a material that is a metal or a metal alloy.
Stock Materials or Miscellaneous Articles, appropriate subclasses, particularly
subclasses 544 through 687for structures of all metal or with adjacent metals.
This subclass is indented under subclass 700. Subject matter wherein the nanostructure is composed of,
includes, or is surrounded by a material that is specifically composed
of a metal oxide.
This subclass is indented under subclass 811. Subject matter wherein the metal oxide is specifically composed
of a perovskite or superconductor material.
This subclass is indented under subclass 700. Subject matter wherein at least one nanostructure is composed
of, includes, or is surrounded by a material that is specifically
composed of an inorganic semiconductor material, regardless of whether
this material is degeneratively doped, moderately doped, lightly
doped or undoped.
Stock Materials or Miscellaneous Articles, particularly
subclasses 688 through 703for non-structural laminates of inorganic materials
and subclass 620 for all metal composites where one of the layers
is a semiconductor layer.
This subclass is indented under subclass 813. Subject matter wherein semiconductor-based material is specifically
composed of a periodic table Group III-V semiconductor compound
or alloy.
This subclass is indented under subclass 815. Subject matter wherein group III-V semiconductor-based material
is specifically composed of a nitride-based semiconductor compound
or alloy.
(1)
Note. Examples include AlxGayInzN,
wherein 0 < x, y, z < 1 and x + y + z = 1.
This subclass is indented under subclass 816. Subject matter wherein the InGaN-based semiconductor material
has an In concentration that is sufficiently high, e.g., In concentration approximately
on the order of In1Ga9N
to In4Ga6N, or higher,
etc., so as to produce an In pooling or clustering effect, i.e.,
wherein the layer separates into clusters or regions of relatively
high In concentration (quantum or potential wells) and surrounding
regions of relatively low In concentration (quantum or potential
barriers).
This subclass is indented under subclass 815. Subject matter wherein group III-V semiconductor-based material
is specifically composed of a phosphide-based semiconductor compound
or alloy.
(1)
Note. Examples include AlxGayInzP,
wherein 0 < x, y, z < 1 and x + y + z = 1.
This subclass is indented under subclass 815. Subject matter wherein group III-V semiconductor-based material
is specifically composed of an arsenide-based semiconductor compound or
alloy.
(1)
Note. Examples include AlxGayInzAs,
wherein 0 < x , y , z < 1 and x + y + z = 1.
This subclass is indented under subclass 815. Subject matter wherein group III-V semiconductor-based material
is specifically composed of an antimonide-based semiconductor compound
or alloy.
(1)
Note. Examples include AlxGayInzSb,
wherein 0 < x, y, z < 1 and x + y + z = 1.
This subclass is indented under subclass 815. Subject matter wherein group III-V semiconductor-based material
is specifically composed of plural group V elements, irrespective whether
the compound includes one or plural group III elements.
(1)
Note. Examples include AlaGabIncNxPyAsz,
wherein 0 < a, b, c < 1, a + b + c = 1;
and 0 < x, y, z < 1 and x + y + z = 1.
This subclass is indented under subclass 815. Subject matter wherein group III-V compound semiconductor
material specifically includes boron (B) as a compositional (/non-dopant) element.
(1)
Note. Examples include alloys of B(Al)(Ga)N (or BaAlbGacN,
wherein 0 < a < 1;
0 < b, c < 1;
and a + b + c = 1).
(2)
Note. Specifically excluded from this subclass are semiconductor
elements or compounds that have such a small amount of boron that
the boron present merely constitutes an impurity, e.g., on the order
of 1e20 atoms/cm3 or less, etc., in
a non-carbon composition, e.g., boron-doped SiGe, etc.
This subclass is indented under subclass 815. Subject matter wherein group III-V compound semiconductor
material specifically includes thallium (Tl) and/or bismuth
(Bi) as compositional (/non-dopant) element(s).
(1)
Note. Specifically excluded from this subclass are semiconductor
elements or compounds that have such a small amount of thallium
or bismuth that the atoms of these elements present merely constitute
impurities, e.g., on the order of 1e20 atoms/cm3 or
less, etc., in a non-bismuth, non-thallium composition, e.g., thallium
doped or bismuth-doped SiGe, etc.
This subclass is indented under subclass 813. Subject matter wherein the compound semiconductor is specifically
composed of group II-VI elements other than oxide-based II-VI compounds.
This subclass is indented under subclass 813. Subject matter wherein the nanostructure includes at least
one heterojunction composed of two adjacent semiconductor layers
that belong to different periodic table-group families.
This subclass is indented under subclass 813. Subject matter wherein the compound semiconductor has a
substantially non-stoichiometric composition: i.e., wherein the composition’s
net charge is NOT substantially equal to 0.
(1)
Note. Examples include IIIxVy or
IIxVIy; x does not equal
y.
(2)
Note. Excluded from this subclass are substantially stoichiometric
compound semiconductors that are merely p-doped or n-doped.
This subclass is indented under subclass 700. Subject matter wherein the nanosized structure or device
is composed of, or includes, a first structure, region or portion
that is composed of an organic material/composition (whether
biological or not), and a second structure, region or portion that
is composed of, or includes, an inorganic semiconductor material/composition.
(1)
Note. The subclass is intended to generally cover all organic
materials/compositions that are interconnected to, or functionally
associated with, inorganic semiconductors regardless of whether the
organic material/composition, itself, also possesses semiconducting
properties.
for hybrid organic/inorganic semiconductor
structures in the event that the inorganic material/composition
is specifically a fullerene or fullerene-like structure.
This subclass is indented under subclass 827. Subject matter wherein the organic material/composition
portion is specifically a biological material/composition.
This subclass is indented under subclass 827. Subject matter wherein the organic material/composition
forms a central core or nucleus that is substantially or entirely
surrounded by, or coated with an inorganic material.
This subclass is indented under subclass 827. Subject matter wherein the inorganic material forms a central
core or nucleus that is substantially or entirely surrounded by,
or coated with a shell of organic or biological material.
This subclass is indented under subclass 700. Subject matter wherein the nanostructure is composed of
a ceramic or other insulating materials/compounds, (e.g.,
a ceramic nanopowder composed of a specified material, etc.).
Stock Materials or Miscellaneous Articles, particularly
subclasses 689 through 703for Non-structural laminates of inorganic metal
compound containing layer, e.g. ceramics, etc.
This subclass is indented under subclass 700. Subject matter wherein the material constituting the nanostructure
or nanodevice possesses a specified physical property.
This subclass is indented under subclass 832. Subject matter wherein the specified physical property of
the material is an optical property, e.g., refractive, reflective,
etc.
This subclass is indented under subclass 832. Subject matter wherein the specified physical property of
the material is relating to its chemical or nuclear reactivity or
stability.
This subclass is indented under subclass 835. Subject matter wherein the physical property is characterized
by its function of reacting with a living organism, e.g., reacts
with a particular biological target, such as a cancer cell, etc.
This subclass is indented under subclass 832. Subject matter wherein the specified physical property of
the material is its capability of generating electrical signal subjected
to a mechanical tress or capability of generating a mechanical stress
subjected to an applied voltage, i.e. piezoelectric property.
MATHEMATICAL ALGORITHMS, E.G., COMPUTER SOFTWARE, ETC.,
SPECIFICALLY ADAPTED FOR MODELING CONFIGURATIONS OR PROPERTIES OF
NANOSTRUCTURE:
This subclass is indented under the class definition. Subject matter directed to the theoretical modeling of a
nanostructure’s configuration or associated physical properties,
as opposed to physical structures, themselves.
(1)
Note: Tools, aids and means specifically designed or intended
for carrying out, or assisting in, the modeling of nanostructures
are also included in this subclass.
MANUFACTURE, TREATMENT, OR DETECTION OF NANOSTRUCTURE:
This subclass is indented under the class definition. Subject matter directed to a process or an apparatus for
making a nanostructure, altering a nanostructure, or determining
a characteristic of a nanostructure.
(1)
Note. The apparatus performing the manufacture, treatment,
or detection of the nanostructure is not limited to the nanoscale
and may include structure of macroscopic dimensions such as in a scanning
probe.
(2)
Note. The detection of 840 is distinct from the detection
under 953 in that the focus of 840 is on nanostructures as the object
of detection whereas the focus of 953 is on nanostructures as the
objects doing the detecting.
Subject matter under 840 for the confinement of nanostructure
material so as to minimize dispersal into the environment, or for
the removal of nanostructure material from the environment.
(1)
Note. The disposal may be, for example, the conversion of
the nanostructure by chemical or physical means to a less harmful
form, which may be safely disposed of in an ordinary municipal landfill.
(2)
Note. This subclass does not include nanofiltration processes
for removing bacteria from air/etc
This subclass is indented under subclass 842. Subject matter wherein the fullerene or nanotube structure
is grown by a process that involves the contact of a carbon-containing
gas and a catalyst material under heated conditions.
This subclass is indented under subclass 842. Subject matter wherein the fullerene or nanotube structure
is grown by a process that involves using a high-energy heat source
to vaporize a carbon target or dissociate a carbon source into its
elemental components, whereby the nanostructure is produced under
the high-energy conditions, with or without the aid of a catalyst.
This subclass is indented under subclass 842. Subject matter wherein the process or apparatus is adapted
to extract the fullerene or nanotube from the material that accompanies
the growth process (e.g. residual catalyst, amorphous carbon, graphite)
or to sort or divide the fullerene or nanotube based upon their
physical or chemical properties (e.g. separation by size, chirality,
etc.).
This subclass is indented under subclass 842. Subject matter wherein the process or apparatus is adapted
to treat the region inside the carbon cage of the fullerene or nanotube.
(1)
Note. This includes the processes or apparatuses that treat
the opening or closing of the nanotube.
This subclass is indented under subclass 842. Subject matter wherein the process or apparatus is adapted
to treat the surface of the carbon cage of the fullerene or nanotube
or the surface of the nanostructure itself.
This subclass is indented under subclass 842. Subject matter wherein the process or apparatus is adapted
to treat the nanotube that affects the end of the tube or the tube
cap.
This subclass is indented under subclass 840. Subject matter including a device having at least a tip
of nanometer sized dimensions capable of performing manufacture,
treatment, or detection in the nanometer range, e.g., scanning tunneling
microscope (STM), atomic force microscope (AFM), magnetic force microscope
(MFM), and near-field optical scanning probe etc.
This subclass is indented under subclass 849. Subject matter including a control method of using a scanning
probe in manufacture, treatment, or detection of nanostructures.
This subclass is indented under subclass 850. Subject matter including specified details of the movement
or positioning of the scanning probe tip relative to the object
being detected or processed (e.g. tapping mode, non-contact, positioning
feedback control, etc.).
This subclass is indented under subclass 849. Subject matter wherein the scanning probe is used to detect
a particular sample or to measure a particular nanoscale property
of the sample, e.g., shape resistivity, charge density, etc.
Electricity: Measuring and Testing,
subclasses 72.5 , 149, 437, 445-446, 690, 696, 715, 724, and 751-754
for probe types used in detection processes of electrical properties
of a sample.
Data Processing: Measuring, Calibrating, or Testing,
subclasses 19 through 21for methods and apparatus utilizing a data processing
system in a measurement system directed to an environment of life
or chemical compound or process in a living system.
This subclass is indented under subclass 855. Subject matter wherein the scanning probe tip is used for
removing material from a substrate, forming grooves or indents in
a substrate, or cutting a nanostructure.
This subclass is indented under subclass 855. Subject matter wherein the scanning probe tip is used for
depositing material on a substrate (such as in dip pen nanolithography).
Coating Processes,
subclasses 457 through 601for coating processes involving direct application
of electrical or magnetic, waves, or particulate energy.
This subclass is indented under subclass 855. Subject matter wherein the scanning probe tip is used for
positioning or mounting nanostructure on a substrate.
This subclass is indented under subclass 855. Subject matter wherein the scanning probe tip is used to
form or modify nanostructure on a substrate by modify the characteristic
of the substrate, e.g., scanning probe tip is used to modify a chemical,
thermal, electrical, magnetic, or other property of the substrate,
etc.
This subclass is indented under subclass 860. Subject matter wherein the scanning probe is constructed
to operate based upon a quantum tunneling effect in which the probability
of electron transmission between the tip and an object being manufactured,
treated, or detected is related to a gap between the tip and the object.
This subclass is indented under subclass 860. Subject matter wherein the tip is formed with an integral
waveguide wherein the diameter of the waveguide is smaller than
the wavelength of the wave propagated in the waveguide.
This subclass is indented under subclass 860. Subject matter wherein the scanning probe is constructed
to operate based upon interaction forces between atoms such as Van
der Waals forces between the tip and an object being manufactured,
treated, or detected.
(1)
Note. Van der Waals force (aka London or dispersion force)
is an induced dipole -induced dipole interaction that depends on
the polarization ability of the interacting molecules and is inversely
proportional to the sixth power of separation.
This subclass is indented under subclass 860. Subject matter wherein the scanning probe is constructed
to operate based upon electrostatic forces between the tip and an
object being manufactured, treated, or detected.
(1)
Note. Electrostatic force generally results from static charges
within one material reacting with an electric field generated by
another material.
This subclass is indented under subclass 860. Subject matter wherein the scanning probe is constructed
to operate based upon magnetic forces between the tip and an object
being manufactured, treated, or detected.
(1)
Note. Magnetic force generally results from currents, or moving
charges, within one material reacting with an external magnetic
field generated by another material such as iron or nickel based materials
that have intrinsic magnetic properties.
This subclass is indented under subclass 860. Subject matter wherein the scanning probe is constructed
to operate based upon a capacitive effect between the tip and an
object being manufactured, treated, or detected.
(1)
Note. The capacitive effect is a change in capacitance which
occurs when the distance between the tip, acting as a first electrode
of a capacitor, and the object, acting as a second electrode of
a capacitor, changes as the tip is scanned relative to the object.
This subclass is indented under subclass 860. Subject matter wherein the scanning probe is constructed
to operate based upon a thermal effect between the tip and an object
being manufactured, treated, or detected.
(1)
Note. The thermal effect may be a heating of the object by
the tip or a temperature detection of the object by the tip or a combination
of both heating and temperature detection between the tip and object
as the tip is scanned relative to the object.
This subclass is indented under subclass 868. Subject matter wherein the scanning probe is combined with
an optical microscope that examines a sample being manufactured, detected,
or treated by the scanning probe tip.
This subclass is indented under subclass 868. Subject matter wherein the optical means is used to reflect
light from a holder of the scanning probe tip.
This subclass is indented under subclass 860. Subject matter including means to adjust temperature, pressure,
humidity, or other environmental factors of the scanning probe.
This subclass is indented under subclass 860. Subject matter including details of a mechanism such as
a piezoelectric, electrostatic, magnetic, or other type of actuator
that adjusts the position of the tip relative to the nanostructure being
manufactured, detected, or treated.
This subclass is indented under subclass 860. Subject matter including structural characteristics of the
tip of the scanning probe, i.e. material, shape, surface treatment,
or chemical functionalizing of the tip.
This subclass is indented under subclass 875. Subject matter wherein the physical form of the tip or the
degree of slope or angle of the tip is specified.
Chemistry: Molecular Biology and Microbiology, appropriate subclasses for a method and/or
apparatus for molecular biological and/or microbiological
testing.
This subclass is indented under subclass 880. Subject matter wherein a microscopy instrument such as an
electron microscope or a spectroscopic device is used to measure
or test the nanostructure.
This subclass is indented under subclass 840. Subject matter including process or apparatus for bringing
together distinct parts to make a desired nanostructure.
This subclass is indented under subclass 882. Subject matter wherein a gas or liquid, i.e., a fluid, carrying
a plurality of nanostructures is flowed over a substrate in a manner
that causes the nanostructures to be simultaneously deposited into
selected locations on the substrate s surface.
This subclass is indented under subclass 882. Subject matter wherein molecular biology identification
entity i.e., biorecognition entity, is utilized for attaching separate
components together, e.g., protein/ligand binding pair,
the electrodeposition of the biorecognition nanomodules in self-assembling,
etc.
This subclass is indented under subclass 884. Subject matter wherein the biorecognition utilizes nucleic
acid hybridization, e.g., nucleic acid polymer hybridization to
its complementary polymeric strand forming double-stranded nucleic
acid structure, etc.
This subclass is indented under subclass 884. Subject matter wherein biorecognition utilizes protein substrate
or binding site recognition for attaching separate components, e.g.,
protein receptor/ligand binding or protein/enzyme
substrate binding recognition, etc.
This subclass is indented under subclass 840. Subject matter wherein manufacturing of the nanostructure
includes a mold or stamp used to transfer pattern of nanometer dimensions
onto a substrate.
This subclass is indented under subclass 840. Subject matter including process or apparatus for forming
a nanostructure by removing material from the nanostructure.
Etching A Substrate: Processes particularly,
subclass 63 for a process of gas phase etching of a substrate involving
the application of energy to the gaseous etchant or to the substrate being
etched.
This subclass is indented under subclass 888. Subject matter wherein the material removing is done by
focusing coherent electromagnetic radiation, i.e., laser, onto the
surface of the nanostructure.
Electric Heating,
subclasses 121.67 through 121.69for the shaping of an article by removing a portion
by electrical or wave energy, e.g., laser ablation wherein no chemical
etchant is employed, etc.
This subclass is indented under subclass 890. Subject matter wherein pores are deposited with nanomaterial
that is subsequently freed via removal of the surrounding molding
material, e.g., molding in the nanosized pores of a membrane which
may be dissolved, etc.
This subclass is indented under subclass 840. Subject matter wherein the process or apparatus uses a living
organism growth process or growth behavior to manufacture, treat,
or detect a nanostructure.
This subclass is indented under subclass 840. Subject matter wherein the process or apparatus uses chemical
factors of an element or compound, e.g., chemical reactions, etc.
to manufacture, treat, or detect a nanostructure.
This subclass is indented under subclass 895. Subject matter wherein the process or apparatus uses chemical
synthesis to manufacture a nanostructure.
(1)
Note. The chemical synthesis is a process of uniting chemical
elements or simpler compounds, or by the degrading a compound, i.e.,
process typically occurs by bonding chemicals or by breaking up
chemical compounds, combination reaction process, or process of creating
a chemical compound involving plural chemical reactions.
This subclass is indented under subclass 896. Subject matter wherein a nanostructure is formed via a chemical
process that links two or more monomers together to form a polymer.
This subclass is indented under subclass 896. Subject matter wherein the chemical synthesis utilizes proteins
or conjugated proteins produced by living organisms and functioning
as catalysts in chemical reactions to manufacture nanostructure.
This subclass is indented under subclass 896. Subject matter wherein the process or apparatus involves
electrolysis of a chemical element to manufacture a nanostructure.
(1)
Note. Electrolysis is a process including conduction of an
electric current between two or more electrodes through a substance
(an electrolyte) and resulting in a chemical change, e.g., oxidation, reduction,
etc.
Electrolysis: Processes, Compositions Used Therein,
and Methods of Preparing the Compositions,
subclasses 80 , 334, 640, and 687 for electrolytic process or
composition.
This subclass is indented under subclass 840. Subject matter including process or apparatus that uses
solely mechanical means, e.g., pressing or grinding, etc., or thermal
means, e.g., heating or curing, etc., to manufacture a nanostructure.
This subclass is indented under subclass 840. Subject matter wherein the process or apparatus uses electromagnetic
irradiation to manufacture a nanostructure.
(1)
Note. The electromagnetic irradiation may be of the visible
light range (i.e., optical) or may be in the form of x-rays or electron
beams.
This subclass is indented under the class definition. Subject matter wherein a nanostructure is a component of
a device or system or is used as part of a process with a particular
function or purpose.
(1)
Note. This subclass covers combination claims which includes
a nanostructure as part of a subcombination wherein subclass this
does not exit covers only the particular details of the nanostructure subcombination.
(2)
Note. This subclass covers process of use claims that include
nanostructures provided to accomplish a specified functional requirement.
This subclass is indented under subclass 902. Subject matter wherein the nanostructure material aids in
chemically altering, confining or degrading a substance that would
be harmful to living organisms or habitats.
This subclass is indented under subclass 902. Subject matter wherein the nanostructure is used in a process
or apparatus for medical evaluation or treatment of a condition
of a living body or for prevention of a disease.
This subclass is indented under subclass 904. Subject matter wherein the use comprises a process or device
for moving through the network for supplying blood in a body.
This subclass is indented under subclass 904. Subject matter wherein the nanostructure is adapted for
delivery of a therapeutic compound or composition to living organs,
tissues, or cells.
This subclass is indented under subclass 904. Subject matter wherein the nanostructure is used for in vivo or in vitro repair of cells or tissue,
e.g., in surgery, etc.
This subclass is indented under subclass 908. Subject matter wherein the nanostructure is used for converting
cancerous cells or tissue into normal cells or tissue.
Chemistry, Natural Resins or Derivatives; Peptides
or Proteins; Lignins or Reaction Products Thereof, particularly
subclasses 333 through 342for synthesis of polypeptides.
This subclass is indented under subclass 915. Subject matter wherein the nanostructure is utilized for
the insertion, deletion, addition, or substitution of a nucleotide
or nucleotides in an already existing DNA sequence, e.g., gene, plasmid,
cosmid, a viral or phage DNA, etc., wherein the DNA sequence is
then used for treating a disease.
(1)
Note. Examples of processes intended for this subclass include
administering nucleic acid (DNA, RNA) into animals by intramuscular,
intraperitoneal, intravenous, oral, or any other route.
This subclass is indented under subclass 915. Subject matter wherein the nanostructure is part of an adjuvant
adapted for producing an immunological response and vaccination against
a disease or infection.
(1)
Note. The nanostructure may increase the immunological response
of a nucleic acid or protein delivered.
This subclass is indented under subclass 904. Subject matter wherein the nanostructure is adapted for
providing a support surface for growing cells in culture.
This subclass is indented under subclass 904. Subject matter wherein the nanostructure is adapted for
providing a support surface in DNA analysis, e.g., DNA sequencing,
etc.
This subclass is indented under subclass 904. Subject matter wherein the nanostrusture is used in an electrical
process or device for treating a living organism.
This subclass is indented under subclass 904. Subject matter wherein a nanostructure is used in a diagnosis
process or to enhance image differences between body tissues in
the diagnosis process.
Drug, Bio-Affecting and Body Treating Compositions,
subclass 9.3 for chemical compound or compositions used as contrast
agents in magnetic imaging devices.
This subclass is indented under subclass 902. Subject matter wherein a nanostructure is used in an electronic
or optoelectronic device or process.
(1)
Note. This subclass and those indented below are primarily
intended for electronic or optoelectronic devices and applications
employing fullerenes, i.e., buckyballs, nanotubes; quantum confinement
structures, i.e., quantum dots, quantum wires; molecular, or atomic structures
as significant components of the electronic or optoelectronic devices.
(2)
Note. Solid-state semiconductor based circuits or circuit
components, e.g., MOSFETS, etc., which recite dimensions of nanometer
scale is insufficient for placement herein.
This subclass is indented under subclass 932. Subject matter wherein the device or process uses electron-spin
or nuclear-spin properties to perform functions or to process information.
(1)
Note. The term "spintronics" is also referred
to as spin electronics, magnetoelectronics, or quantum computing.
(2)
Note. There are of two stable spins (up and down). Electron
spin causes magnetism on the atomic level.
This subclass is indented under subclass 933. Subject matter wherein the spintronic device exhibits or
produces a large change in electrical resistance upon application
of an external magnetic field (i.e., GMR) effect.
(1)
Note. "Giant" refers to the very large electrical
signal of a GMR device.
(2)
Note. GMR devices are widely used to sense magnetic field,
as read-head sensors in hard disk drives, and magnetic random access
memory.
This subclass is indented under subclass 933. Subject matter wherein the spintronic device exhibits or
produces a large change in resistance through a normally insulating
layer, depending on the predominant electron spin in a free layer.
This subclass is indented under subclass 932. Subject matter wherein the nanostructure is used in a semiconductor
device having three electrodes or terminals.
This subclass is indented under subclass 936. Subject matter wherein the nanostructure is used in a three
terminal switching device that can transfer electrons individually.
This subclass is indented under subclass 936. Subject matter wherein the nanostructure such as a nanowire
or a nanotube is used in the conductive path, i.e. channel region,
between the drain and the source terminals of the transistor.
This subclass is indented under subclass 932. Subject matter wherein the nanostructure is used to produce
cathode components in field emission devices such as electron discharge tubes.
This subclass is indented under subclass 932. Subject matter wherein the nanostructure is used in an electronic
circuit that performs combinational or sequential digital logic
functions.
(1)
Note. Included herein are circuits having nanostructures that
used for Boolean operations to form counters, shift registers, or
other devices used in digital computation.
This subclass is indented under subclass 940. Subject matter wherein the nanostructure in the logic circuit
is a nucleic acid, e.g., DNA molecule, etc.
Static Information Storage or Retrieval,
subclasses 129 through 150for information storage or retrieval devices including
particular elements for writing and reading of static information,
subclass 151 for information storage on the molecular or atomic level.
Subject matter under 943 wherein a nanosized tip is used
to perform the information storage or retrieval, e.g. nanosized
tip is used to read or write information data, etc.
This subclass is indented under subclass 932. Subject matter wherein the nanostructure facilitates the
storage or generation of energy such as in a capacitor or battery
fuel cell.
Chemistry: Electrical Current Producing Apparatus,
Product, and Process, for electrochemical batteries, and particularly
subclasses 12 through 46for fuel cells.
This subclass is indented under subclass 932. Subject matter wherein the nanostructure is used to convert
electric energy into emitting radiant energy.
This subclass is indented under subclass 949. Subject matter wherein the radiant energy is electromagnetic
energy, i.e., radio, microwave, infrared, visible light, ultraviolet,
x-ray, gamma ray.
This subclass is indented under subclass 950. Subject matter wherein the electromagnetic energy is a coherent,
directional beam of light generated by stimulating electronic, ionic,
or molecular transitions to lower energy levels.
This subclass is indented under subclass 932. Subject matter wherein the nanostructure is used to convert
electric signal into images in visual form such as a cathode ray
tube, LCD, or LED display.
(1)
Note. This subclass includes nanostructure and refers to more
than simply the molecules found in the cell structure of liquid
crystals.
This subclass is indented under subclass 932. Subject matter wherein the device includes a nanostructure
to convert a form of a measurement into an electrical signal.
This subclass is indented under subclass 953. Subject matter wherein the measurement is mechanical in
nature, i.e., strain, stress, pressure, flow rate, size.
This subclass is indented under subclass 953. Subject matter wherein the measurement is chemical in nature
(i.e., pH, electrochemical, DNA sequencing, etc.).
Data Processing: Measuring, Calibrating, or Testing,
subclasses 19 through 21for methods and apparatus utilizing a data processing
system in a measurement system directed to an environment of life
or chemical compound or process in a living system.
This subclass is indented under subclass 953. Subject matter wherein the measurement is magnetic in nature,
e.g., magnetic field strength, magnetic hysteresis, magnetoresistance,
etc.
This subclass is indented under the class definition. Subject matter wherein the nanostructure includes details
not otherwise provided for in this schedule.
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