Taking nanoelectromechanical systems out of laboratories and into products

Nanoelectromechanical systems could soon be taken out of laboratories' experiments and into laboratory products themselves, following research into carbon nanotubes undertaken at Northwestern University.

Scientists at the academic institution have been looking into ways to overcome the fragile nature of carbon nanotubes.

The structures are already used in laboratories but are as yet unsuitable for mass production, as they typically burn out within a few uses.

Northwestern engineering professor Horacio Espinosa adds that they may equally fracture or stick shut, depending on the geometry of the nanoelectromechanical system itself.

However, a report in the journal Small details the team's efforts to improve the structure of the devices, allowing them to be taken beyond laboratories and into the wider world.

One option is to use diamond-like carbon in place of thin films of metal in the devices' electrodes, increasing their robustness over a number of usage cycles.

Northwestern University's achievement in the field of nanotechnology was highlighted earlier this year when director of the International Institute for Nanotechnology Chad A Mirkin was elected as an Einstein Professor of the Chinese Academy of Sciences.