Nanotube Structures

Abstract

Structures for making and using a drawn preform from a plurality of tubes are provided. The drawn preform includes a first end of the preform defining source side of the preform and a second end of the preform defining a delivery side of the preform. At least some tubes of the plurality of tubes of the second end of the preform are drawn to a dimension of at least less than one micron in size. The drawn preform is capable of manipulating materials (e.g., fluids, chemicals, biological samples, solids, inks, etc.) as the materials go through the tubes from a source end to the delivery end, or when the material is already present within one of the tubes.

1 . A plurality of tubes defining walls of a larger tube of a preform, comprising:
 a first end of the preform defining source side of the preform;   a second end of the preform defining a delivery side of the preform, wherein at least some tubes of the plurality of tubes of the second end of the preform are drawn to a dimension of at least less than one micron in size; and   at least one or more tubes of the plurality of tubes being defined from soluble material capable of being dissolved after defining the preform, such that when dissolved the at least one or more tubes forms a wall opening in the preform.   
     
     
         2 . The plurality of tubes defining walls of a larger tube of a preform as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the at least one or more tubes of the plurality of tubes serves as a track for transport of evanescent waves in the larger tube. 
     
     
         3 . A plurality of tubes defined in a preform structure, comprising:
 (a) a first preform, including,
 a first end of the preform defining source side of the preform; 
 a second end of the preform defining a delivery side of the preform, wherein at least some tubes of the plurality of tubes of the second end of the preform are drawn to a dimension of at least less than one micron in size; 
   (b) a second preform, including,
 a first end of the preform defining source side of the preform; 
   a second end of the preform defining a delivery side of the preform, wherein at least some tubes of the plurality of tubes of the second end of the preform are drawn to a dimension of at least less than one micron in size; and   (c) a connection section,
 wherein the connection section couples the second end of at least one tube of the first preform to the first end of at least one tube of the second preform, such that the second end of the second perform includes at least one tube with a plurality of tubes from the first preform. 
   
     
     
         4 . A plurality of tubes defined in a perform for heating a fluid sample, comprising:
 a first end of the preform defining source side of the preform;   a second end of the preform defining a delivery side of the preform, wherein at least some tubes of the plurality of tubes of the second end of the preform are drawn to a dimension of at least less than one micron in size, and wherein at least one of the tubes of the plurality of tubes is enlarged at the second end of the preform; and   a glass rod configured to sit within the enlarged one of the tubes, the glass rod capable of being connected to a light source, the light source capable of imparting heat within the enlarged one of the tubes.   
     
     
         5 . A plurality of tubes defined in a preform as recited in  claim 4 , wherein the enlarged one of the tubes is capable of holding a fluid sample and is capable of being heated with the glass rod so as to trigger ejection of some of the fluid sample. 
     
     
         6 . The plurality of tubes defined in a preform as recited in  claim 4 , wherein the glass rod is configured with a rounded end, such that heat is internally reflected by the rounded end.