Patent ID: 7331709
Filing Date: 2008-02-19
Classification: B82Y,G01K,Y10S

Abstract:
1. A method for measuring the temperature of a subject using a minute size temperature sensing element, said temperature sensing element comprising a carbon nanotube with a continuous column of gallium contained therein, with one end opened and the other end closed, which comprises: a. inserting the temperature sensing element into a subject to be measured in an air environment, b. heating the subject thereby expanding the gallium in said column, c. oxidizing the gallium in said column in an air environment to produce a gallium oxide layer which is firmly bonded to the nanotube, d. cooling the subject, e. removing the temperature sensing element from the subject, and f. measuring the location of the top end of said gallium oxide layer in said nanotube as an indication of the temperature of said subject.