Towards Linear Nano Servomotors with Integrated Position Sensing

– Nanoscale linear servomotors with integrated position sensing are investigated from experimental, theoretical, and design perspectives. Prismatic motion is realized using the interlayer motion of telescoping multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs). Position sensing can be achieved by monitoring field emission or by measuring resistance change between a MWNT and a gold substrate during sliding movement. Experimental results demonstrate resolution in the nanometer range. Actuation experiments demonstrate the feasibility of a linear nano servomotor with integrated position sensing based on field emission. A local “kink”-like fluctuation of emission current is observed, which is caused by the change of the protruding length of the nanotube core, thus demonstrating the potential of using emission as a “linear encoder”. Complete extension of the inner core is observed and the electrostatic force is calibrated to be tens of nano-Newtons for individual nanotubes—13.3 to 23.3 nN for...

• Type: Conference
• Year: 2005
• Where: ICRA
• Authors: Lixin Dong, Bradley J. Nelson, Toshio Fukuda, Fumihito Arai, Masahiro Nakajima
• Keywords: Field Emission, ICRA 2005, Integrated Position, Linear Servomotors, Robotics