5982.5:
Nanomanipulation of mesoscopic objects - new techniques and applications
Abstract
Nanomanipulation of mesoscopic objects - new techniques and applications.
A. Kulik, G. Gremaud, I. Piwonski and L. Forrò – nanomechanics group – FSB-IPMC, EPFL
C. Baur, S. Grange, P. Rouiller – VRAI – IPR-LSR, EPFL
An advanced nanomanipulator based on an Atomic Force Microscope (AFM) will be developed. This will involve physics of nanoscale manipulation and haptic technology as a real-time interface to the AFM over a Local Area Network (LAN). Several quantitative applications, in particular manipulation record and playback, will be implemented. This feature will allow further analysis of experiments as well as sharing experience with other users. Quantitative measurements will become possible, leading to a new range of applications.
Several currently impossible applications will be developed, evaluated and optimized:
building structures from carbon nanotubes
positioning nanotubes to allow for their physical characterization (electrical, mechanical, etc)
measuring rupture strength of biological microtubules as a function of temperature and rate of deformation
cutting small biological strands (such as DNA, etc)
The feasiblity study already carried out by our groups will move on from equipment construction to real-world applications. This will allow us to answer several basic questions concerning
user interface design
additional features
nanoscale interaction
human guided nanoscale manipulation
One may expect that a serious usable base will be established, approaching industralization stage of the project.