Nanoactuation of telescoping multiwalled carbon nanotubes inside transmission electron microscope

The electrostatic actuation of a telescoping multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWNT) is presented. Its inner core was actuated by applying electric voltages between the telescoping nanotube and a counter-electrode inside a transmission electron microscope (TEM). The telescoping nanotube was fabricated by peeling off its outer layers through a destructive fabrication process inside the TEM. Its inner core extended (max: similar to 179nm) and retracted with applied DC voltage (0-65V). Estimations of electrostatic forces by finite element method (FEM) and van der Waals interactions indicated that the actuation force is mainly caused by electrostatic forces. These experimental processes were carried out through a hybrid nanorobotic manipulation system, which can be used inside both a scanning electron microscope (SEM) and a TEM. The present result shows the possibility of nanoscale actuator applications using a telescoping MWNT with precision.