Telescoped multiwall nanotube and manufacture thereof
AssigneeThe Regents of the University of California
InventorsJohn P. Cumings, Alex K. Zettl, Steven G. Louie, Marvin L. Cohen
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Abstract
The invention relates to a method for forming a telescoped multiwall nanotube. Such a telescoped multiwall nanotube may find use as a linear or rotational bearing in microelectromechanical systems or may find use as a constant force nanospring. In the method of the invention, a multiwall nanotube is affixed to a solid, conducting substrate at one end. The tip of the free end of the multiwall nanotube is then removed, revealing the intact end of the inner wall. A nanomanipulator is then attached to the intact end, and the intact, core segments of the multiwall nanotube are partially extracted, thereby telescoping out a segment of nanotube.
Claims17
A method for forming a telescoped nanotube, comprising:
- (a) providing a multiwall nanotube comprised of an outer shell, a plurality of concentric inner shells, and an inner core, each of said outer shell, inner shells, and inner core having a first end and a second end in opposition thereto;
- (b) attaching the first end of the outer shell to a conductive substrate so as to be in electrical communication therewith;
- (c) removing the second end of the outer shell and of the concentric inner shells, revealing the second end of the inner core;
- (d) attaching a nanomanipulator to the second end of the inner core, said nanomanipulator effective to partially extract the inner core from the outer shell;
- and
- (e) partially extracting the inner core from the outer shell and the concentric inner shells, thereby telescoping one segment of the multiwall nanotube.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.