Nano Manipulation Research Articles

New Architecture of a Hybrid Two-Fingered Micro–Nano Manipulator Hand: Optimization and Design

This paper presents the synthesis and design optimization of a compact and yet economical hybrid two-fingered micro–nano manipulator hand. The proposed manipulator hand consists of two series modules, i.e., an upper and lower modules. Each of them consists of a parallel kinematics chain with a glass pipette (1 mm diameter and 3–10 cm length) tapered to a very sharp end as an end-effector. It is driven by three piezo-electric actuated prismatic joints in each of the three legs of the parallel kinematics chain. Each leg of the kinematics chain has the prismatic–revolute–spherical joint structure. As the length of the glass pipette end-effector is decreased, the resolution and accuracy of the micro–nano manipulator hand is increased. For long lengths of the glass pipette end-effector, this manipulator works as a micro manipulator and for short lengths it works as a nano manipulator. A novel closed-form solution for the problem of inverse kinematics is obtained. Based on this solution, a simulation program has been developed to optimally choose the design parameters of each module so that the manipulator will have a maximum workspace volume. A computer-aided design model based on optimal parameters is built and investigated to check its workspace volume. Experimental work has been carried out for the purpose of calibration. Also, the system hardware setup of the hybrid two-fingered micro–nano manipulator hand and its practical Jacobian inverse matrices are presented.

Manipulation of nanoparticles and biomolecules by electric field and surface tension

Electric field has become one of the most widely used tools for manipulating cells, biomolecules, and nanoscale particles in microfluidic devices. This paper presents the theory, modeling, and experimental works on manipulation of nano and biomaterials by using an electric field and surface tension. Three-dimensional dynamic assembly of nanowires on various microelectrodes under dielectrophoretic force is presented with discussion on capillary action and electroosmosis effects in the manipulation. The various approaches to manipulate the small scale materials are addressed both numerically and experimentally. For successful prediction and analysis on nanoscale, a hierarchical and multiscale scheme for modeling fluid transportation in nanochannels is suggested. The results show that the combined effects of electric field and capillary action induced forces are crucial for precise control over nanoscale materials.

MODELLING AND SIMULATION IN MECHATRONICS

The paper presents some achievements in complex modelling and simulation in mechatronics, being underlined some characteristics of the mechatronic field together with applications of design principles. Some aspects of the optimized and integrated design having as main part the modelling and simulation of the system are presented. The facilities of the programs used for kinematic and dynamic simulation of multi-body systems are emphasized. Some mechatronic systems are presented as examples of modelling and simulation in MATLAB/Simulink (MS), SolidDynamics (SD) or MotionInventor (MI) programs with accent on robots for micro and nano manipulations of cells, industrial robots, and precessional drives.

Iterative image-based modeling and control for higher scanning probe microscope performance

In this article, we develop an image-based approach to model and control the dynamics of scanning probe microscopes (SPMs) during high-speed operations. SPMs are key enabling tools in the experimental investigation and manipulation of nano- and subnanoscale phenomena; however, the speed at which the SPM probe can be positioned over the sample surface is limited due to adverse dynamic effects. It is noted that SPM speed can be increased using model-based control techniques. Modeling the SPM dynamics is, however, challenging because currently available sensing methods do not measure the SPM tip directly. Additionally, the resolution of currently available sensing methods is limited by noise at higher bandwidth. Our main contribution is an iterative image-based modeling method which overcomes these modeling difficulties (caused by sensing limitations). The method is applied to model an experimental scanning tunneling microscope (STM) system and to achieve high-speed imaging. Specifically, we model the STM up to a frequency of 2000 Hz (corresponds to approximately 23 of the resonance frequency of our system) and achieve approximately 1.2% error in 1 nm square images at that same frequency.

Fabrication of Three-Dimensional Devices with Various Nano Components Using a Combination of a FIB System and Nano Manipulation

Extract Extended abstract of a paper presented at Microscopy and Microanalysis 2007 in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, USA, August 5 – August 9, 2007

Nano Patterning and Manipulation of Genetically Engineered Virus Nanoblocks

Extended abstract of a paper presented at Microscopy and Microanalysis 2004 in Savannah, Georgia, USA, August 1–5, 2004.

Mechanical tweezer action by self-tightening knots in surfactant nanotubes

Entanglements and trefoil knots on surfactant nanotubes in the liquid phase were produced by a combination of network self-organization and micromanipulation. The resulting knots are self-tightening, and the tightening is driven by minimization of surface free energy of the surfactant membrane material. The formation of the knot and the steady-state knot at quasi-equilibrium can be directly followed and localized by using fluorescence microscopy. Knots on nanotubes can be used as nanoscale mechanical tweezers for trapping and manipulation of single nano- and micrometer-sized high-aspect ratio objects. Furthermore, we demonstrate that by controlling the surface tension, objects captured by a knot can be transported along given trajectories defined by the nanotube axes.

310 分子動力学法による二層障壁構造カーボンナノチューブ(DWNT)のマニピュレーション過程の解析(GS-1.4 分子動力学)

Double wall carbon nano tube (DWNT) is a promising material for advanced nano mechanical systems. Simulating nano manipulation processes of the inner/outer tube and investigating the relative motion between the tubes are important to utilize DWNT as a mechanical element. Molecular dynamics study has been carried out to estimate pulling and rotating properties for various DWNTs. Structural dependence of the pulling force and the damping of rotation are quantitatively inspected.

多層構造ダイヤモンド膜製ナノマニピュレータの研究(マイクロ・ナノ作業1)

多層構造ダイヤモンド膜製ナノマニピュレータの研究(マイクロ・ナノ作業1)

Direct probing of potential distribution in Al/poly(3-hexylthiophene)/Au Schottky diode

The spatial potential profile in Al/poly(3-hexylthiophene), PHT/Au diode has been studied directly using a nano manipulator with a potential probing tip. It is found that the depletion layer due to the Schottky barrier exists at the interface of PHT/Al with the thickness less than 80 nm. The interface resistance of depletion layer decreases significantly at forward bias, contrary to the slight decrease in the resistance at the reversed bias. This results in the rectification behavior of the diode. The resistances of ohmic contact at PHT/Au as well as at Al/PHT even for the forward bias are appreciable and found to be key points to fabricate better performance of the diode.

AFMによるナノ操作のためのVRインターフェースの検討

AFMによるナノ操作のためのVRインターフェースの検討