Microscopic tube devices and method of manufacture

Process for making a device, said device containing one or more microscopic hollow tubes positioned in a pre-selected, non-random orientation, said device have been made by a process comprising the steps of:

• selecting one or more discrete fibers having a radial cross-section and axial configuration desired for the inner surface of said microscopic hollow tubes, said one or more fibers having a diameter of at least 0.1 microns and a predetermined rate of chemical reaction, solvation, decomposition, depolymerization or phase change, within a specific environment;
• separating discrete fibers and keeping them isolated and discrete from one another
• adjusting the temperature of said one or more fibers to a deposition temperature of a tube material,
• depositing said tube material on said one or more fibers to coat said one or more fibers to a thickness of at least 1 nanometer, said tube material having a predetermined rate of chemical reaction, solvation, decomposition, depolymerization, or phase change within a specific environment;
• which is lower than said predetermined rate of chemical reaction, solvation, decomposition, depolymerization or phase change of said one or more fibers;
• placing and constraining said separate and discrete coated fibers in the position, orientation, and configuration required for the device,
• placing said constrained and coated fibers in said chemical reaction, solvation, decomposition, depolymerization, or phase change environment;
• and
• conducting a chemical reaction, solvation, decomposition, depolymerization, phase change or a combination of these techniques to thereby remove said one or more fibers from said tube material without destroying said tube material.

A process for manufacturing a microscopic hollow tube, said method comprising the steps of:

• selecting one fiber characterized by a radial cross-section and axial configuration desired for the inner surface of said microscopic hollow tube, said one fiber having an inside diameter of at least 5 nanometers and a predetermined rate of chemical reaction, solvation, decomposition, depolymerization or phase change within a specific environment to remove said one fiber;
• placing the fiber in the deposition environment and adjusting the temperature of said one fiber to a deposition temperature of a tube material;
• depositing said tube material on said one fiber to coat said one fiber to a thickness of at least 1 nanometer, said tube material having a predetermined rate of chemical reaction, solvation, decomposition, depolymerization or phase change which is lower than said predetermined rate of chemical reaction, solvation, decomposition, depolymerization or phase change of said one fiber;
• placing said one fiber in a pre-selected position in said reaction, solvation, decomposition, depolymerization or phase change environment;
• and
• conducting a reaction, solvation, decomposition, depolymerization or phase change to thereby remove said one fiber from said tube material without destroying said tube material.