Energy-Releasing Carbon Nanotube Transponder and Method of Using Same

摘要

An energy-releasing carbon nanotube transponder comprising a nanocapacitor connected to at least one carbon nanotube and method of using same are described. An adjustable amount of electric energy is stored within the nanocapacitor so that the energy-releasing carbon nanotube transponder delivers either a biologically destructive or a biologically non-destructive electrical charge to target cells in response to biological, chemical or electrical stimuli. An optional biocompatible coating onto the outer surface of the carbon nanotube transponder improves cellular targeting, cellular binding or body tolerance towards the carbon nanotube transponder. Optionally, a molecular label attached to at least one carbon nanotube allows for in vivo tracking of the carbon nanotube transponder. The targeted release of electric energy from the carbon nanotube transponder can, for example, destroy cancer cells in cancer patients, or control the flux of electric wave within a cellular tissue to treat cardiac and/or epileptic patients.

主权项

1. An energy-releasing carbon nanotube transponder responsive to changes in a chemical concentration or electrical property of its environment, and wherein said energy-releasing carbon nanotube transponder is up to 500 nanometers in diameter for delivering electrical energy to a cellular tissue, the energy-releasing carbon nanotube transponder comprising:
(a) at least one carbon nanotube; and (b) a nanocapacitor connected to a first end of said at least one carbon nanotube, wherein said nanocapacitor is capable of storing a predetermined amount of electric energy in the form of a mean charge density in the range of between about 1.2×10-5 and about 2.4×10-5 Coulombs/cm2, and said at least one carbon nanotube being connected to said nanocapacitor acts as a nanoswitch for releasing said predetermined amount of electrical energy to said cellular tissue in response to a change in the environment of said energy-releasing carbon nanotube transponder, and wherein a plurality of said energy-releasing carbon nanotube transponders is capable of releasing a biologically non-destructive electric charge in the range of between about 4 and about 20 microCoulombs/cm2 to said cellular tissue.