Patent ID: 8435798

Claim:
A method of operating a nano-electro-mechanical resonator, comprising: applying to a first structural member of the resonator, a voltage signal containing an alternating current (AC) component, the first structural member having a non-contacting proximity relationship with a second structural member, the second structural member comprising a carbon nanofiber, the non-contacting proximity relationship characterized at least in part by: a) a gap width separating the first structural member from the carbon nanofiber and b) a coupling length factor defined on the basis of a portion of the first structural member that is oriented substantially parallel to a portion of the carbon nanofiber; and producing mechanical resonance on the carbon nanofiber via the voltage signal, thus operating the nano-electro-mechanical resonator wherein the first structural member is one of: a) a nanoprobe, b) another carbon nanofiber or c) a metal rod.