Nanorobotic end-effectors: Design, fabrication, and in situ characterization

This paper reports three types of nanorobotic end-effectors: m@CNTs-based sphere-on-pillar (SOP) optical nanoantennas, nanotube fountain pen, and m@CNTs-based tunneling nanosensor. The fabrication method of the m@CNTs-based SOP optical nanoantennas we developed has potentials in the investigation of nano-optics and nano-photonics due to its feasibility in preparing such devices. Nanotube fountain pen (NFP) illustrates the practical applications in the direct fabrication of nanostructures from 0 to 3D, which is of critical importance in the future fast-prototype of nanodevices. The m@CNTs-based tunneling nanosensor provides a new design in measuring force/displacement in nanoscale, opening a new ground in developing nanoelectromechanical system (NEMS). These three end-effectors enable new functions for the nanorobotic manipulators and extending people's ability in exploring the world in nanoscale.