Nano comb-drive sensor discovery
Nano comb-drive sensor discovery
2008-09-04Newsfeed
Computer hard drives and biological sensors may benefit from nanotechnology research that has produced a tiny motorised positioning device.
Computer hard drives and biological sensors may benefit from nanotechnology research that has produced a tiny motorised positioning device.
Uses for the new monolithic comb drive include a "nanoscale manipulator" that has twice the dexterity of similar devices currently under development.
The research is based at the Birck Nanotechnology Centre at Purdue's Discovery Park in the US, and findings are detailed in a technical paper presented during the University Government Industry Micro/Nano Symposium.
The size of the entire device is less than one millimetre, and the smallest feature is about three micrometers - roughly one-thirtieth the width of a human hair.
Properly using such devices means knowing precisely how much force is being applied to the sensors and how far they are moving.
The new design is based on a technology called electro micro metrology, which enables engineers to determine the precise displacement and force that is being applied to, or by, a comb drive.
The Purdue research is able to measure this force by comparing changes in electrical properties such as capacitance or voltage. It also determines the precise deflection and force of such micro devices while reducing heat-induced vibrations that could interfere with measurements.
Copyright © The Press Association 2008
