Magnetic nanoparticles

Abstract

to the research team, this approach has the potential for mass delivery on an atom-by-atom basis for the tailored formation of a final prese- lected particle size, which has significant implications for nanoscale applications including the use of a nanotubes as a “nano-soldering iron.” The researchers have developed a quantitative model for the observed nanoscale mass transfer phenomenon, using the analogy of mass conveyor belts for the transport and mass reservoirs. Plots of mass versus time for various particles along a nanotube were shown to agree well with experimental data points. The mass change rates were found to be linear, indicating that surface energies, which change with particle size, do not play a significant role in driving the trans- port process down to at least the femtogram level. The exact nature of the driving mechanism, however, has yet to be determined. A comparison was made to indi- um electromigration toward the cathode on silicon surfaces. The study demon-strates that it is possible to precisely control mass transport at the nanoscale; this bodes well for future nanotechnology applications.