Definition

CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS

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.