Container for the transport and transfer of nanomaterials

Abstract

Aspects of the invention are directed to a container comprising a tub, a basket, and a lid. The tub is adapted to hold a liquid and comprises a bottom and a tub sidewall having an upper rim defining an opening in the tub. The basket is disposed on the bottom of the tub and comprises a base and a basket sidewall. The base defines a perimeter, and the basket sidewall runs along at least a portion of this perimeter. The lid contacts the upper rim and comprises a filler piece. The filler piece occupies a volume inside the tub between the base and a plane defined by the upper rim. The container is adapted to hold a sensitive film stack without damage or degradation to the film stack. The container is further adapted to facilitate the easy transfer of the film stack to a new substrate.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A container comprising:
 (a) a tub, the tub adapted to hold a liquid and comprising a bottom and a tub sidewall having an upper rim defining an opening in the tub;   (b) a basket, the basket disposed on the bottom and comprising:
 (i) a base, the base defining a perimeter; and 
 (ii) a basket sidewall, the basket sidewall running along at least a portion of the perimeter; and 
   (c) a lid, the lid contacting the upper rim and comprising a filler piece, the filler piece occupying a volume inside the tub between the base and a plane defined by the upper rim.   
     
     
         2 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the base comprises a fabric. 
     
     
         3 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the lid covers the opening in the tub. 
     
     
         4 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the filler piece defines a lower surface, the lower surface disposed inside the tub and facing the bottom. 
     
     
         5 . The container of  claim 4 , wherein the lower surface defines a beveled edge. 
     
     
         6 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the basket sidewall runs along only a portion of the perimeter. 
     
     
         7 . The container of  claim 1 , where the base describes four edges and the basket sidewall runs along only three of the four edges. 
     
     
         8 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the basket sidewall defines an aperture therein. 
     
     
         9 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the basket is adapted such that it can be suspended in the tub from the tub sidewall. 
     
     
         10 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the basket further comprises a tab, the tab adapted to be positioned such that it extends outwardly from the basket sidewall. 
     
     
         11 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the container encloses a film stack, the film stack disposed between the base and the filler piece. 
     
     
         12 . The container of  claim 11 , wherein the film stack comprises a nanomaterial. 
     
     
         13 . The container of  claim 12 , wherein the nanomaterial comprises graphene. 
     
     
         14 . The container of  claim 12 , wherein the nanomaterial is at least partially covered by a polymer coating. 
     
     
         15 . The container of  claim 14 , wherein the polymer coating is operative to be stripped by acetone. 
     
     
         16 . The container of  claim 14 , wherein the polymer coating comprises poly(methyl methacrylate). 
     
     
         17 . The container of  claim 11 , wherein the film stack floats when placed in the liquid. 
     
     
         18 . The container of  claim 11 , further comprising a cover sheet, the cover sheet disposed between the film stack and the filler piece. 
     
     
         19 . The container of  claim 18 , wherein the cover sheet comprises a fabric. 
     
     
         20 . The container of  claim 11 , wherein the film stack is substantially held immobile against the base.