Electromechanical three-trace junction devices

A circuit array, comprising

• a first structure having a plurality of electrically conductive elements and a plurality of support structures;
• a second structure having a plurality of electrically conductive elements and a plurality of support structures;
• and
• a plurality of nanotube ribbons disposed between the first and second structures and in contact, each nanotube ribbon crossing in spaced relation corresponding electrically conductive elements of the first and second structures and thereby defining a corresponding circuit cell, and wherein a nanotube ribbon is movable within a circuit cell in response to electrical stimulus applied to at least one of the electrically conductive elements and the nanotube ribbons;
• and
• wherein electrically conductive elements of at least one of the first and second structures includes an insulative layer on a surface facing a corresponding nanotube ribbon.

A circuit, comprising

• a first electrically conductive element;
• a second electrically conductive element;
• and
• an electromechanically responsive element disposed between the first and second electrically conductive elements, wherein the nanotube ribbon is movable toward at least one of the first and second electrically conductive elements in response to electrical stimulus applied to at least one of the first and second electrically conductive elements and the nanotube ribbon;
• and
• wherein one of the first and second electrically conductive elements includes an insulative layer on a surface facing the electromechanically responsive element.

A method of using a circuit cell having a first electrically conductive element, a second electrically conductive element, and a nanotube ribbon disposed between the first and second electrically conductive elements, comprising:

• applying electrical stimulus to one of the first and second electrically conductive elements and to the nanotube ribbon to move the nanotube ribbon toward at least one of the first and second electrically conductive elements;
• sensing electrical signals from at least one the first and second electrically conductive elements and the nanotube ribbon to determine the electrical state of the cell;
• and
• applying electrical stimulus to the other of the first and second electrically conductive elements and to the nanotube ribbon to move the nanotube ribbon away from the one of the first and second electrically conductive elements which it was moved toward.