SENSOR DEVICE WITH HEATED NANOSTRUCTURE
A nanostructure sensing device includes a substrate, a nanotube disposed over the substrate, and at least two conductive elements electrically connected to the nanotube. A electric current on the order of about 10 μA, or greater, is passed through the conductive elements and the nanotube. As a result, the nanotube heats up relative to the substrate. In the alternative, some other method may be used to heat the nanotube. When operated as a sensor with a heated nanotube, the sensor's response and/or recovery time may be markedly improved.
1 - 6 . (canceled)
7 . A method of sensing an analyte using a nanostructure sensing device, the method comprising:
(a) providing the nanostructure sensing device, said device comprising:
(i) a substrate,
(ii) a nanostructure disposed over the substrate, and
(iii) at least two conductive elements disposed over the substrate and electrically connected to the nanostructure;
(b) exposing the nanostructure to the analyte, wherein at least a part of the nanostructure is at a temperature of at least about 100° C. and the substrate is at a temperature of less than about 100° C. during at least a part of time of said exposure; and
(c) sensing the analyte by measuring a property of the nanostructure.
8 . The method of claim 7 , wherein the nanostructure comprises a nanotube.
9 . The method of claim 7 , wherein the nanostructure comprises a plurality of nanotubes.
10 . The method of claim 7 , wherein at least part of the nanostructure is at a temperature of at least about 200° C. during at least a part of time of said exposure.
11 . The method of claim 7 , wherein at least part of the nanostructure is at a temperature of at least about 300° C. during at least a part of time of said exposure.
12 . The method of claim 7 , wherein the nanostructure is maintained at the temperature of at least about 300° C. during at least a part time of said exposure and wherein exposing the nanostructure to the analyte comprises passing an electrical current of at least about 10 μA through the nanostructure.
13 . The method of claim 7 , wherein the nanostructure is coated or functionalized with an agent that renders the nanostructure sensing device responsive to the analyte.
14 . The method of claim 7 , wherein the nanostructure is coated or functionalized with an agent that renders the nanostructure sensing device responsive to hydrogen gas.
15 . The method of claim 7 , wherein the analyte is hydrogen.
16 . The method of claim 7 , wherein the nanostructure is coated or functionalized with tin oxide.
17 . The method of claim 7 , wherein the nanostructure is coated or functionalized with palladium.
18 . The method of claim 7 , wherein the exposing the nanostructure to the analyte comprises exposing at least a part of the nanostructure to water.
19 . The method of claim 7 , wherein the exposing the nanostructure to the analyte comprises passing an electrical current through the nanostructure.
20 . The method of claim 19 , wherein the electrical current is at least about 10 μA.
21 . A method of recovering a nanostructure sensing device after sensing an analyte, the method comprising:
(a) providing the nanostructure sensing device after sensing the analyte, the nanostructure sensing device comprising:
(i) a substrate,
(ii) a nanostructure disposed over the substrate, and
(iii) at least two conductive elements disposed over the substrate and electrically connected to the nanostructure; and
(b) heating at least a part of the nanostructure, where the heating recovers the nanostructure sensing device.
22 . The method of claim 21 , wherein the heating is performed by passing an electrical current through the nanostructure.
23 . The method of claim 21 , wherein at least a part of the nanostructures reaches at least about 100° C. during the heating.
24 . The method of claim 21 , wherein at least a part of the nanostructures reaches at least about 200° C. during the heating.
25 . The method of claim 21 , wherein the heating recovers the nanostructure sensing device in less than about 10 minutes.
26 . The method of claim 21 , wherein the nanostructure is coated or functionalized with palladium.