Mechanical Applications of Nanotechnology

Rohit Sinha

Overview

Introduction Single-Molecule Optomechanical Cycle A Crossover in the Mechanical Response of Nano-crystalline CeramicsPaper 3 Strong Coupling Between Single-Electron Tunneling and Nanomechanical Motion Impact Further Research Conclusion

Introduction

Mechanical engineering at nanometer scales is becoming important National Science Foundation two-day workshop
Areas of greatest contributions Engineering education

http://www.nsf.gov/

Multidisciplinary field
Atomic-level effects
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Challenges

Change in Physical Properties Solids, Liquids, and gases confined to regions smaller than 100 nm Affected Properties

Thermal Conductivity Electrical Conductivity Optical Absorption Emission Spectra Mechanical Strength Viscosity

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Vision
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Basis for structures, devices, and systems that could have tremendous impact

Information Energy Health Agriculture Security Transportation

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1 terabit per square inch High efficiency solid-state engines Analysis of single cells for diagnosis Ultra Light and Ultra Strong Materials

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Mechanical Applications

Instruments
Nano-indentors Atomic Force Microscopes

Feedback control
Nano-scale precision Measure forces down to
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piconewton levels

Integration and Packaging

functional device or system

Integrating building blocks in a rational manner to make a

Manufacturing
Assembling large quantities of nanostructures

Purpose

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Nano-robots and future nano devices need some sort of power source This paper proposes a way to harness power from light on the nano-scale.

Theory

(A) Photosensitive azobenzenes lengthen and contract when exposed to light Occurs due to switch from cis to trans Mechanical work is delivered when a force is applied (B) Structure of azobenzene

Experiment

Experiment to prove that azobenzenes can be manipulated this way

A diagram of the force exerted on a polymer of azobenzene L = 1.9 nm for monomer Force applied vs. length for trans (red) and cis (blue)

Proof of Theory

The experiment showed that it is possible to:

Handle an individual

polyazopeptide strand Measure its length mechanically Excite the polymer and change it to the desired configuration Detect the transition mechanically
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So What?

Mechanical energy can be obtained in the following steps (theory):

(I) polymer in trans state

(II) force applied

(III) light changes

configuration to cis (IV) force removed (I) light changes polymer back to trans

Experiment

Experimental realization of theory on previous slide:

(I) 420 nm light assures

polymer in trans state at ~100 pN (II) F = 200 pN (III) 365 nm light changes configuration to cis (IV) F = 100 pN (I) 420 nm light changes polymer back to trans

Results

It is possible to convert light energy into mechanical energy using azobenzenes Nano-bots and other nano-devices now have a possible way of being self-sustaining

http://i.telegraph.co.uk/telegraph/multimedia/archive/0151 8/nano-robot_1518042i.jpg