Hybrid force-assisted 3-D assembly of helical nanobelts

Abstract

. • We present a new manipulation system for hybrid force assisted assembly. • We propose a hybrid force assisted assembly process for 3-D helical nanobelts. • Helical nanobelt tweezer and sensing probe have been assembled using the proposed method. Freestanding flexible thin-film nanostructures are promising candidates for many potential applications, such as in the fields of electromechanical sensing, optical detection, tweezer, controlled release, and drug delivery. In this paper three-dimensional (3-D) suspended helical nanobelts (HNBs) with ultra-high flexibility are assembled by the external field guidance. Electromagnetic (EM) and electrostatic (ES) force by external potential are characterized quantitatively to guide the assembly of HNBs to create tweezer and sensing probe. Both ends of HNBs and target electrodes are attached with ferromagnetic metal connector. By the help of this hybrid assembly approach, we could successfully realize tweezer function and create sensing probe by parallel aligning and closing HNBs and soldering to interconnect HNBs onto electrodes. Adhesive force between HNBs and electrodes are characterized to show its assembly performance can be improved quantitatively. The demonstrated approach shows that the hybrid force assisted assembly is an effective and non-clean room way for assisting serial 3-D robotic assembly of ultra-flexible nanostructures, interconnection soldering which may potentially reduce the production cost and time for future manufacturing realization.