Patent ID: 7928521

Claim:
A carbon nanotube switch suitable for use in an integrated circuit structure and capable of being moved from a first position in a first plane to a second position in a second plane approximately parallel to, but spaced from, said first plane of said carbon nanotube switch of the invention, said switch further characterized by use of approximately the same energy to move said switch from said first position in said first plane to said second position in said second plane as required to move said switch back from said second position in said second plane to said first position in said first plane, said switch comprising: a) a switching chamber; b) a flexible carbon nanotube strip in said switching chamber: (i) said flexible carbon nanotube strip secured at one end at a first securement point in said first plane in said switching chamber; and (ii) said flexible carbon nanotube strip secured at its opposite end at a second securement point in said second plane in said switching chamber approximately parallel to, and spaced a distance from, said first plane in said switching chamber; c) a first electrode located in said first plane; and d) a second electrode located in said second plane; wherein a central portion of said flexible carbon nanotube strip moves in said switching chamber between said first plane in said switching chamber and said second plane, wherein said first securement point and said first electrode are located in said first plane and said second securement point and said second electrode are located in said second plane, and wherein said second plane is different from, approximately parallel to, and spaced a distance from said first plane.