Nanodevices for generating power from molecules and batteryless sensing

摘要

A nanoconverter or nanosensor is disclosed capable of directly generating electricity through physisorption interactions with molecules that are dipole containing organic species in a molecule interaction zone. High surface-to-volume ratio semiconductor nanowires or nanotubes (such as ZnO, silicon, carbon, etc.) are grown either aligned or randomly-aligned on a substrate. Epoxy or other nonconductive polymers are used to seal portions of the nanowires or nanotubes to create molecule noninteraction zones. By correlating certain molecule species to voltages generated, a nanosensor may quickly identify which species is detected. Nanoconverters in a series parallel arrangement may be constructed in planar, stacked, or rolled arrays to supply power to nano- and micro-devices without use of external batteries. In some cases breath, from human or other life forms, contain sufficient molecules to power a nanoconverter. A membrane permeable to certain molecules around the molecule interaction zone increases specific molecule nanosensor selectivity response.

主权项

1. A method of constructing a nanoconverter, comprising:
providing a substrate; growing one or more nanostructures on the substrate; permeating the nanostructures with a sealant to form a molecule noninteraction zone around the nanostructures; selectively etching the molecule noninteraction zone around the nanostructures to form a molecule interaction zone; and electrically connecting the nanostructures at two ends, wherein the two ends have disposed between them the molecule interaction zone and the molecule noninteraction zone.