Appeal 2007-1893
Application 10/946,753
STATEMENT OF THE CASE
Appellants invented a method for controlling the growth of carbon
nanotubes.1 Specifically, topological structures are provided on the
substrate which mechanically control the length and/or orientation of
nanotubes via physical contact between the nanotubes and the topological
structures.2 Claim 1 is illustrative:
1. A method comprising:
patterning a surface of a substrate to form a topological structure; and
growing nanostructures along the surface, wherein the topological
structure controls at least one of the length and orientation of the
nanostructures growing along the surface in at least one region of the
substrate.
The Examiner relies on the following prior art references to show
unpatentability:
Shin US 2002/0014667 A1 Feb. 7, 2002
Zhang, Y., et al., Electric-Field-Directed Growth of Aligned Single-Walled
Carbon Nanotubes, App. Phys. Ltrs., Vol. 79, No. 19, Am. Inst. of Phys.,
Nov. 5, 2001 (“Zhang”).
1. Claims 1, 3-6, 9-16, 25-37, and 39-43 stand rejected under 35 U.S.C.
§ 102(b) as being anticipated by Shin.3
2. Claims 1 and 5-8 stand rejected under 35 U.S.C. § 102(b) as being
anticipated by Zhang.
1 Carbon nanotubes are elongated tubular bodies which are typically only a
few atoms in circumference (Specification ¶ 0001).
2 See generally Specification ¶¶ 0005-0008 and all Figures.
3 Although the Examiner includes claim 2 in this rejection (Answer 3), claim
2 has been cancelled. See Br. 2.
2
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