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Title: Rotational actuator or motor based on carbon nanotubes

Patent ·
OSTI ID:1175765

A rotational actuator/motor based on rotation of a carbon nanotube is disclosed. The carbon nanotube is provided with a rotor plate attached to an outer wall, which moves relative to an inner wall of the nanotube. After deposit of a nanotube on a silicon chip substrate, the entire structure may be fabricated by lithography using selected techniques adapted from silicon manufacturing technology. The structures to be fabricated may comprise a multiwall carbon nanotube (MWNT), two in plane stators S1, S2 and a gate stator S3 buried beneath the substrate surface. The MWNT is suspended between two anchor pads and comprises a rotator attached to an outer wall and arranged to move in response to electromagnetic inputs. The substrate is etched away to allow the rotor to freely rotate. Rotation may be either in a reciprocal or fully rotatable manner.

Research Organization:
Univ. of California, Oakland, CA (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE
DOE Contract Number:
AC03-76SF00098
Assignee:
The Regents of the University of California (Oakland, CA)
Patent Number(s):
7,053,520
Application Number:
10/891,615
OSTI ID:
1175765
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

References (16)

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