CAREER: Nanosystems Enabled Intelligent End-effectors for Nanorobotic Manipulation

功能化末端执行器由纳米系统构建，以支持智能纳米机器人操作。这是通过使用基于段纳米结构的纳米机电系统（NEMS）和非光子系统来实现的。 内部电子隧穿和光学耦合被用作这些末端效应器的共同基础，以在保持纳米尺度的同时实现高分辨率。 研究的具体问题包括（1）纳米结构中分段元件之间的内部电子隧穿和光学耦合，例如碳纳米管壳、豌豆状纳米线、头对头定位的纳米管尖端和较暗的纳米球，（2）使用分段纳米结构的亚纳米位置/位移传感器、皮牛顿力传感器和attogram质量检测器的开发，（3）将这些传感器集成到透射电子显微镜兼容芯片、原子力悬臂梁和卷起的螺旋纳米带上，以及（4）这些系统的应用。该项目影响了纳米机器人新纳米技术的发展，包括理论和实际构建系统的过程。 这为制造业和其他技术领域（如电子和显微镜行业）带来了新的工具。 光学纳米天线具有显著增强太阳能电池能量吸收的潜力。 在生物学中的单分子操作，材料表征和超分子化学中的分子间相互作用中发现了应用。 一般应用包括智能纳米系统在医疗保健中的潜在应用。 通过讲座，研讨会，课程和网站为K-12学生和教师以及对这一新兴领域感兴趣的公众实现了广泛的推广。

Functionalized end effectors are built from nanosystems to support intelligent nanorobotic manipulation. This is achieved using segment-nanostructure-based nanoelectromechanical systems (NEMS) and nonophotonic systems. Internal electron tunneling and optical coupling are used as the common base of these end effectors for achieving high resolution while keeping to nano scale. Specific problems investigated include (1) the internal electron tunneling and optical coupling between the segmented elements in a nanostructure such as carbon nanotube shells, peapod nanowires, head-to-head positioned nanotube tips and dimmer nanospheres, (2) the development of sub-nanometer position/displacement sensors, picoNewton force sensors, and attogram mass detectors using the segmented nanostructures, (3) integrating these sensors onto transmission electron microscope compatible chips, atomic force catilevers, and rolled up helical nanobelts, and (4) the application of these systems.The project impacts the development of new nanotechnology for nanorobotics including theory and processes for actual construction of systems. This leads to new tools for manufacturing and other technology fields such as the electronics and microscopy industries. Optical nanoantennas have the potential to remarkably enhance energy adsorption for solar cells. Applications are found in single molecule manipulation in biology, material characterization and inter-molecule interactions in supramolecular chemistry. General applications include the potential application of intelligent nanosystems in health care. Broad outreach is achieved through lectures, workshops, courses and websites for K-12 students and teachers, as well as for the public who have an interest in this emerging field.