Patent ID: 7115881

Claim:
A field emission, linear and angular motion control micro-device coinprising a) a first cathodic electrode containing at least one, electron field emission whisker; b) a second transparent grid electrode; c) voltage means to provide potential Vg at said second electrode which establishes an electric field between the first and second electrodes; d) said electric field produces a stream of field emitted electrons into the vacuum electric field space between said first and second electrodes; e) a portion of said stream of field emitted electrons passing through said transparent grid electrode, thereby producing a positioning and motion control force on a moveable portion of said device, f) an ultimate collector electrode not physically attached to a moveable portion of said device g) said ultimate collector electrode at voltage V≧V g for collecting said stream of electrons; and h) the size of said micro-device ranging from nanometers to decimeters, i) where the device comprises a moveable portion and a stationary housing portion; the moveable portion comprising at least the first cathodic element and the second transparent grid electrode; the stationary housing portion comprising at least the ultimate collector electrode and at least partially enclosing the moveable portion.