INORGANIC NANOTUBES AND DEVICES FABRICATED THEREFROM

摘要

Nanofluidic devices are taught incorporating inorganic nanotubes fluidly coupled to channels or nanopores for supplying a fluid containing chemical or biochemical species. In one aspect, two channels are fluidly interconnected with a nanotube. Electrodes on opposing sides of the nanotube establish electrical contact with the fluid therein. A bias current is passed between the electrodes through the fluid, and current changes are detected to ascertain the passage of select molecules, such as DNA, through the nanotube. In another inventive aspect, a gate electrode is located proximal the nanotube between the two electrodes thus forming a nanofluidic transistor. The voltage applied to the gate controls the passage of ionic species through the nanotube selected as either or both ionic polarities. In either of these aspects the nanotube can be modified, or functionalized, to control the selectivity of detection or passage.