Optoelectronic nanohand

该计划的目标是通过将光纤、电子学和NEMS/MEMS（纳米或微机电系统）集成在一个统一的平台上来开发一种新型的光电纳米手。主要研究员计划进行四项核心研究工作。首先，他们将展示光电纳米手的原型。其次，他们将研究其光学波导特性。第三，他们将研究由纳米手传递的激光束施加的光学力。最后，他们将研究原位电学和光学特性，并探索纳米手的应用。知识价值是展示和开发操纵，控制和表征单个纳米物体的新能力。拟议的纳米手有几个独特的功能。它具有大的纵横比，并且没有衬底支撑。纳米手具有多个独立控制的纳米致动器或手指。物体也可以潜在地由辅助光学力控制。最后，可以进行电测量和光学表征，以原位探测单个紧握的纳米级物体。更广泛的影响如下。所提出的纳米手代表了一类新的多功能纳米机械手，可以对包括NEMS/MEMS、光学和生物工程在内的多个领域产生重大影响。它可以为实现纳米光电机械和纳米机器人系统，组装复杂的三维纳米结构，以及在单个纳米颗粒或单个纳米线水平上探测纳米级系统和器件的特性开辟新的可能性。拟议研究的多学科性质也使该计划成为教育和培训学生的绝佳机会。

The objective of this program is to develop a new type of optoelectronic nano-hand by integrating fiber optics, electronics, and NEMS/MEMS (nano- or micro- electromechanical systems) in a unified platform. The PIs plan to carry out four core research tasks. First, they will demonstrate a prototype optoelectronic nanohand. Second, they will investigate its optical waveguiding properties. Third, they will investigate optical force exerted by laser beam delivered by the nanohand. Finally, they will investigate in situ electrical and optical characterization, and explore the application of the nanohand.The intellectual merit is the demonstration and development of new capability to manipulate, control, and characterize individual nanoscale objects. The proposed nanohand has several unique features. It has a large aspect ratio and is free of substrate support. The nanohand has multiple independently controlled nano-actuators or fingers. An object can also be potentially controlled by auxiliary optical force. Finally, electric measurements and optical characterization can be performed to probe a single clenched nanoscale object in situ. The broader impacts are as follows. The proposed nanohand represents a new class of multi-functional nano-manipulators and can have significant impact on several areas including NEMS/MEMS, optics, and bioengineering. It can open new possibilities for realizing nano-opto-electro-mechanical and nano-robotic systems, for assembling complex three-dimensional nanostructures, and for probing the properties of nanoscale systems and devices at a single nanoparticle or single nanowire level. The multi-disciplinary nature of the proposed research also makes this program an excellent opportunity to educate and train students.