It is known that the force modulation of atomic force microscope (AFM) probes reduces friction and wear. Now, scientists have shown that conductive probes display an additional benefit; the dithering motion improves the ability of the tip to make electrical contact with a surface. Researchers from the University of Twente, in collaboration with scientists at IBM Research - Zurich, have studied the effect of force modulation on conductive probes. The team used probes made of platinum silicide in a custom-built... More
Category : Nano Technology

Researchers at Rice and Vanderbilt universities in the US have succeeded in controllably doping carbon nanotubes using a technique that simply involves regulating the amount of active nitrogen-doping species during nanotube growth. The result means that it may now be possible to modulate the electronic character of these nanostructures at will - something that could come in useful for a variety of applications, including energy-storage devices and lightweight conducting wires. The researchers, led by Robert Hauge and Cary Pint, have... More
Category : Nano Technology