Patent ID: 8385113

Claim:
A nanoelectromechanical system, comprising: a base; a first conductive layer and a second conductive layer formed on said base; a first plurality of nanometer-scale beams electrically coupled to and extending substantially perpendicularly from said first conductive layer, each one of said first plurality having a first free-moving portion; a second plurality of nanometer-scale beams electrically coupled to and extending substantially perpendicularly from said second conductive layer, each one of said second plurality having a second free-moving portion, wherein said second free-moving portions are able to electrically couple said first free-moving portions; an electric field that affects the movement of said first free-moving portions and said second free-moving portions; a first conductive wall fixed to said base; and a second conductive wall fixed to said base, wherein said first and said second conductive walls provide said electric field, and said first and said second conductive layers are located between said first and said second conductive walls.