CPC Definition - Subclass B82Y

Last Updated Version: 2021.01
SPECIFIC USES OR APPLICATIONS OF NANOSTRUCTURES; MEASUREMENT OR ANALYSIS OF NANOSTRUCTURES; MANUFACTURE OR TREATMENT OF NANOSTRUCTURES
Definition statement

This place covers:

Applications and aspects of nanostructures which are produced by any method, and is not restricted to those that are formed by manipulation of individual atoms or molecules.

Relationships with other classification places
  • This subclass is intended to enable a comprehensive search of subject matter related to nanostructures by combination of classification symbols of this subclass with classification symbols from other subclasses. Therefore this subclass covers aspects of nanostructures that might also be entirely or partially covered elsewhere in the IPC. This subclass is for secondary classification, i.e. obligatory supplementary classification of subject matter already classified as such in other classification places.
  • The classification symbols of this subclass are not listed first when assigned to patent documents.
  • Note that B82Y uses the same definitions for nanosize, nanoscale and nanostructures as B82B, but that the definition of B82B is more restricted in that it relates to specific nanostructures formed by manipulation of individual atoms, molecules, or limited collections of atoms or molecules as discrete units. Documents classified in B82B should also be classified in B82Y
References
Informative references

Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:

Nanocapsules for medicinal preparations

A61K 9/51

Langmuir-Blodgett films

B05D 1/20

Nanostructures formed by individual manipulation of atoms, molecules, or limited collections of atoms or molecules as discrete units; manufacture or treatment thereof

B82B

Preparation of carbon nanostructures, e.g. bucky-balls, nanotubes, nanocoils, nanodoughnuts or nanoonions

C01B 32/15

Scanning probe techniques

G01Q

Optical quantum wells or boxes

G02F 1/017

Nanostructured thin magnetic films

H01F 10/32

Molecular beam epitaxy [MBE]

H01F 41/30

Quantum wire FETs

H01L 29/775

Glossary of terms

In this place, the following terms or expressions are used with the meaning indicated:

Nanosize, nanoscale

relate to a controlled geometrical size below 100 nanometres (nm) in one or more dimensions

Nanostructure

an entity having at least one nanosized functional component that makes physical, chemical or biological properties or effects available, which are uniquely attributable to the nanoscale

Nanobiotechnology or nanomedicine, e.g. protein engineering or drug delivery
Special rules of classification

See also subclass B82Y.

Note that this group deals with artificial structures, particles etc. Proteins and viruses as they appear in nature are to be classified in C07K 14/00, C12N 9/00 or C12N 7/00 and (viral) vectors constructed by cloning techniques are to be classified in C12N 15/00.

Although they may be of nanosize, liposomes and virus-like particles (VLPs) are not considered to be nanotechnology.

Glossary of terms

In this place, the following terms or expressions are used with the meaning indicated:

Functionalized nanotube/ nanowire

linear nanostructures with a linear extension having a diameter of the order of 100 nanometer or less and a high aspect ratio (e.g > 1000), having specific chemical groups (e.g. receptors) physically or chemically bound to their surface.

Synonyms and Keywords

In patent documents, the following abbreviations are often used:

CNT

Carbon Nanotubes

SWNT

Single Wall Nanotubes

In patent documents, the following words/expressions are often used with the meaning indicated:

"nanoparticle"

"liposome" or "virus-like particles" (VLPs).

Nanotechnology for information processing, storage or transmission, e.g. quantum computing or single electron logic
Special rules of classification

See subclass B82Y.

Glossary of terms

In this place, the following terms or expressions are used with the meaning indicated:

Nanowire, nanorod

nanostructure with a linear extension having a diameter of the order of 100 nanometer or less and a high aspect ratio (e.g > 1000)

Molecular wire

molecular-scale objects with linear structure, which conduct electrical current, commonly comprising freely moving electrodes

Synonyms and Keywords

In patent documents, the following abbreviations are often used:

SET

Single Electron Transitor

Nanotechnology for interacting, sensing or actuating, e.g. quantum dots as markers in protein assays or molecular motors
Special rules of classification

See subclass B82Y.

Note that this group deals with nanostructures used for sensing or actuating, wherein the nanostructure itself (e.g. quantum dot, nanotube) is at least part of the sensor or actuator. Macroscopic apparatuses used for sensing or actuating at a nanoscopic scale or resolution (like, e.g., scanning probe microscopes) are to be classified in B82Y 35/00.

Glossary of terms

In this place, the following terms or expressions are used with the meaning indicated:

Functionalized nanotube/ nanowire

linear nanostructures with a linear extension having a diameter of the order of 100 nanometer or less and a high aspect ratio (e.g > 1000), having specific chemical groups (receptors) physically or chemically bound to their surface.

Nanooptics, e.g. quantum optics or photonic crystals
Special rules of classification

See subclass B82Y.

Nanomagnetism, e.g. magnetoimpedance, anisotropic magnetoresistance, giant magnetoresistance or tunneling magnetoresistance
Special rules of classification

See subclass B82Y.

Synonyms and Keywords

In patent documents, the following abbreviations are often used:

MTJ

magnetic tunnel junction

SV

spin valve

CPP

current-perpendicular-to-the-plane

CIP

current-in-the-plane

AP

antiparallel

APC

antiparallel coupling

APF

antiparallel free

MR

magnetoresistive or -resistivity or -resistance

AMR

anisotropic magnetoresistive

GMR

giant magnetoresistive

TMR

tunneling magnetoresistive

SVMR

spin valve magnetoresistive

Nanotechnology for materials or surface science, e.g. nanocomposites
Special rules of classification

See subclass B82Y.

Synonyms and Keywords

In patent documents, the following abbreviations are often used:

CNT

carbon nanotubes

SWCNT

single wall carbon nanotubes

MWCNT

multi-wall carbon nanotubes

SAM

self-assembled monolayer

QD

quantum dot

Methods or apparatus for measurement or analysis of nanostructures
Special rules of classification

See subclass B82Y.

Synonyms and Keywords

In patent documents, the following abbreviations are often used:

SPM

scanning probe microscope

AFM

atomic force microscope

Manufacture or treatment of nanostructures
Special rules of classification

See subclass B82Y.

Note that this deals with nanostructures as defined in B82Y. This means that for example documents relating to nanocomposites which are prepared using pre-made nanostructures (i.e. as bought from a supplier) will not receive B82Y 40/00, since the nanostructures themselves are not prepared or manufactured in the document.

Glossary of terms

In this place, the following terms or expressions are used with the meaning indicated:

Nanostructures

an entity having at least one nanosized functional component that makes physical, chemical or biological properties or effects available, which are uniquely attributable to the nanoscale

Synonyms and Keywords

In patent documents, the following abbreviations are often used:

CNT

carbon nanotubes

SWCNT

single wall carbon nanotubes

MWCNT

multi-wall carbon nanotubes

SAM

self-assembled monolayer

QD

quantum dot

Subject matter not provided for in other groups of this subclass
Special rules of classification

See subclass B82Y.

Documents are preferably not classified here. Therefore, all other groups take precedence.