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 [Search a list of Patent Appplications for class 977]   CLASS 977,NANOTECHNOLOGY
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SECTION I - CLASS 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.

SECTION II - REFERENCES TO OTHER CLASSES

SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:

73, 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.
75, 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.
117, 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.
118, Coating Apparatus,   subclasses 715 through 733for gas or vapor deposition apparatus, and particularly subclass 723 for ion cluster beam deposition apparatus.
128, Surgery, all subclasses for miscellaneous methods and respiratory devices and methods.,  
148, 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.
201, 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.
250, 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.
257, 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.
310, Electrical Generator or Motor Structure,   subclass 311 for piezoelectric elements and devices of the type used to move scanning probe microscopes with nanometric resolution.
313, 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.
324, 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.
351, Optics: Eye Examining, Vision Testing and Correcting,   subclasses 200 through 247for eye examining or testing instruments.
372, 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.
374, Thermal Measuring and Testing,   subclasses 6 , 43, 45, and 120-135 for scanning thermal microscopes.
385, 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.
420, Alloys or Metallic Composition,   appropriate subclasses, particularly those subclasses based on alloy compositions.
423, Chemistry of Inorganic Compounds,   subclass 445 for fullerenes in essentially pure form.
428, 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.
438, 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.
501, Compositions: Ceramic,   appropriate subclasses, particularly subclasses based on composition of ceramic powder.
502, 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.
506, 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.
514, Drug, Bio-Affecting and Body Treating Compositions,   appropriate subclasses, particularly subclasses 937 through 945for radionuclide-containing colloidal particulate, e.g., microcapsule, micro-sphere, micro-aggregate, etc., compositions.
516, 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.
600, 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.
601, Surgery: Kinesitherapy,   appropriate subclasses for kinesitherapy.
602, Surgery: Splints, Braces or Bandages,   appropriate subclasses for splints, braces or bandages.
604, 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.
606, Surgery,   appropriate subclasses for surgical instruments.
607, Surgery: Light, Thermal, and Electrical Application,   appropriate subclasses for light, thermal, and electrical application for therapy.
623, 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.

CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS

[List of Patents for class 977 subclass 700]    700NANOSTRUCTURE:
 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.
  
[List of Patents for class 977 subclass 701]    701Integrated with dissimilar structures on a common substrate:
 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.
  
[List of Patents for class 977 subclass 702]    702Having biological material component:
 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.
  
[List of Patents for class 977 subclass 703]    703Cellular:
 This subclass is indented under subclass 702.  Subject matter wherein the biological material component is a cell or a subpart of a cell.
  
[List of Patents for class 977 subclass 704]    704Nucleic acids (e.g., DNA or RNA, etc.):
 This subclass is indented under subclass 702.  Subject matter wherein the biological material component is a nucleic acid.
(1) Note. Nucleic acid, such as DNA or RNA, is any of various acids composed of a sugar or derivative of a sugar, phosphoric acid, and a base.
  
[List of Patents for class 977 subclass 705]    705Protein or peptide:
 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.
  
[List of Patents for class 977 subclass 706]    706Carbohydrate:
 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.
  
[List of Patents for class 977 subclass 707]    707Having different types of nanoscale structures or devices on a common substrate:
 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.
  
[List of Patents for class 977 subclass 708]    708With distinct switching device:
 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.
  
[List of Patents for class 977 subclass 709]    709Including molecular switching device:
 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.
  
[List of Patents for class 977 subclass 710]    710Biological switching:
 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.
  
[List of Patents for class 977 subclass 711]    711Nucleic acid switching:
 This subclass is indented under subclass 710.  Subject matter wherein the switching device constitutes molecular structure of a nucleic acid.
  
[List of Patents for class 977 subclass 712]    712Formed from plural layers of nanosized material (e.g. stacked structures, 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.
  
[List of Patents for class 977 subclass 713]    713Including lipid layer:
 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.
  
[List of Patents for class 977 subclass 714]    714Containing protein:
 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.
  
[List of Patents for class 977 subclass 715]    715On an organic substrate:
 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.
  
[List of Patents for class 977 subclass 716]    716Biological cell surface:
 This subclass is indented under subclass 715.  Subject matter wherein the organic substrate is the surface of a living cell organism.
  
[List of Patents for class 977 subclass 717]    717Lipid substrate:
 This subclass is indented under subclass 715.  Subject matter wherein the organic substrate is a lipid layer, e.g., lipid monolayer or bilayer, etc.
  
[List of Patents for class 977 subclass 718]    718Carbohydrate substrate:
 This subclass is indented under subclass 715.  Subject matter wherein the substrate is a carbohydrate layer, e.g., cellulosic paper, etc.
  
[List of Patents for class 977 subclass 719]    719Nucleic acid substrate:
 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.
  
[List of Patents for class 977 subclass 720]    720On an electrically conducting, semi-conducting, or semi-insulating substrate:
 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.
  
[List of Patents for class 977 subclass 721]    721On a silicon substrate:
 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.
  
[List of Patents for class 977 subclass 722]    722On a metal substrate:
 This subclass is indented under subclass 720.  Subject matter wherein the common substrate is composed of a metal or metal alloy.
  
[List of Patents for class 977 subclass 723]    723On an electrically insulating substrate:
 This subclass is indented under subclass 701.  Subject matter wherein the common substrate conducts or transmits electrical current.
  
[List of Patents for class 977 subclass 724]    724Devices having flexible or movable element:
 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.
  
[List of Patents for class 977 subclass 725]    725Nanomotor/nanoactuator:
 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.
  
[List of Patents for class 977 subclass 726]    726Using chemical reaction/biological energy (e.g., ATP, etc.):
 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.
  
[List of Patents for class 977 subclass 727]    727Formed from biological material:
 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.
  
[List of Patents for class 977 subclass 728]    728Nucleic acid (e.g., DNA or RNA, etc.):
 This subclass is indented under subclass 727.  Subject matter wherein the biological material is a nucleic acid, e.g., DNA, etc.
(1) Note. Nucleic acid, such as DNA or RNA, etc., is any of various acids composed of a sugar or derivative of a sugar, phosphoric acid, and a base.
  
[List of Patents for class 977 subclass 729]    729From protein or unit thereof (e.g., enzyme or carboxyl group, etc.):
 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.
  
[List of Patents for class 977 subclass 730]    730For electrical purposes:
 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.
  
[List of Patents for class 977 subclass 731]    731Formed from a single atom, molecule, or cluster:
 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.
  
[List of Patents for class 977 subclass 732]    732Nanocantilever:
 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.
  
[List of Patents for class 977 subclass 733]    733Nanodiaphragm:
 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.

SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:

781,for structures including nanosized physical via-holes or pores.
  
[List of Patents for class 977 subclass 734]    734Fullerenes (i.e., graphene-based structures, such as nanohorns, nanococoons, nanoscrolls, etc.) or fullerene-like structures (e.g., WS2 or MoS2 chalcogenide nanotubes, planar C3N4, etc.):
 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.

SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:

735,for carbon buckyball.
742,for carbon nanotubes.

SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:

428, 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.
  
[List of Patents for class 977 subclass 735]    735Carbon buckyball (C60, C70, etc., and derivatives and modifications thereof):
 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.

SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:

734,for fullerene or fullerene-like structures.
741,for carbon cages with compositional substitution.