Patent ID: 8430705

Claim:
A method for self-assembly of field emission tips comprising: providing a first side having a first surface on which is located in material to be formed into at least one field emission tip; providing a second side having a second surface; heating the second surface of the second side, to a predetermined temperature; moving at least one of the first side and a second side, wherein physical contact is made between the material located on the first surface and the second surface; maintaining the physical contact between the material on the first side and the second surface of the second side for an amount of time; moving, after the amount of time, at least one of the first side and the second side away from the other side, wherein the physical contact between the material located on the first surface and the second surface is maintained causing the material to stretch between the second surface of the second side and the first side, generating at least one capillary bridge formation; and continuing to move at least one of the first side and the second side away from the other side, until the physical contact between the material located on the first surface and the second surface is broken, causing the formation of the material into a conductive tip.