nanomanipulator
notes: label: Description
content: Nanotechnology is the system of techniques for miniaturizing, as far as possible, the devices and instruments that we are familiar with on our human scale. On the nano-scale (this includes dimensions between 1 and 100 nanometers, or 10^-9 to 10^-7 meters), single atoms and molecules become the units of construction and manipulation as designers seek to make the smallest possible versions of common mechanical and electronic devices, as well as to develop entirely new ones. Although the principles of operation of these devices are often familiar and simple, expressing them as workable constructions, and studying their operation, on such a tiny scale present formidable difficulties. Ordinary microscopes become useless, and simply moving and assembling components in a controllable way are not at all easy.
label: Description
content: These problems have been tackled with various forms and modifications of the electron microscope and other instruments. The work often takes advantage of the particular properties of carbon atoms, which can form sheets, tubes, and spherical structures. An example of such technology is this “nano-manipulator” used by Alex Zettl, Professor of physics at the University of California, Berkeley, and his student, John Cumings, in 2000. With it they were able to construct and study a very simple nano-scale mechanical device: a carbon nanotube that slid in and out of a slightly larger nanotube. They measured the forces involved in this movement, demonstrating “ultra-low friction nanoscale linear bearings and constant-force nanosprings.” They reported, “Repeated extension and retraction of telescoping nanotube segments revealed no wear or fatigue on the atomic scale. Hence, these nanotubes may constitute near perfect, wear-free surfaces.”
label: Description
content: Reference: John Cumings and A. Zettl, “Low-Friction Nanoscale Linear Bearing Realized from Multiwall Carbon Nanotubes,” Science, Vol. 289, Issue 5479, pp. 602-604, 28 July 2000
label: Location
content: Currently not on view
setName: label: See more items in
content: Medicine and Science: Modern Physics
creditLine: label: Credit Line
content: Gift of Alex Zettl.
dataSource: label: Data Source
content: National Museum of American History
identifier: label: ID Number
content: 2005.0118.01
label: accession number
content: 2005.0118
label: catalog number
content: 2005.0118.01
objectType: label: Object Name
content: nanomanipulator
physicalDescription: label: Measurements
content: overall: 8.9 cm x 40.9 cm x 8.9 cm; 3 1/2 in x 16 3/32 in x 3 1/2 in