Patent ID: 8482087

Claim:
A switch comprising: (i) a cantilevered nanofilament comprising a secured end and an unsecured end; (ii) a conductor with a surface substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the nanofilament when the nanofilament is undeflected, wherein the nanofilament is positioned with respect to the conductor to define a gap between the unsecured end of the nanofilament and the surface of the conductor substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the nanofilament; and (iii) a circuit electrically connecting the nanofilament and the conductor, wherein (a) a tunneling current is configured to flow between the nanofilament and the surface of the conductor substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the nanofilament; and (b) the tunneling current is configured to flow from the nanofilament to the conductor in a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the nanofilament when the nanofilament is undeflected.