Nano-fiber arrayed surfaces

• US 8,545,962 B2
• Filed: 08/01/2007
• Issued: 10/01/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 08/07/2006
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Paradigm Energy Research Corporation
• Original Assignee: Paradigm Energy Research Corporation
• Inventors: Sheehan, Daniel Peter
• Primary Examiner(s): O'HERN, BRENT T
• Application Number:
  US11/832,625
• Publication Number:
  US 20080138577A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,253 Days
• Field of Search: 428/113, 428/105, 255/77, 257/77, 257/53, 257/379, 257/382, 257/401
• US Class Current: 428/113
• CPC Class Codes: B81B 3/0075 For improving wear resistance
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/24058 including grain, strips, or filamentary elements in respective layers or components in angular relation
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/24124 Fibers
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/24355 Continuous and nonuniform or irregular surface on layer or component [e.g., roofing, etc.]

Abstract

Surfaces are provided comprising an array of partially embedded nano-fibers. Two such surfaces may contact each other such that the respective nano-fibers contact at orthogonal angles, resulting in ultra-low friction and ultra-low adhesion contact. Such configurations are useful in several NEMS or MEMS applications, as well as macro-sized applications. Alternatively, the surfaces may contact each other such that the respective nano-fibers are parallel. These configurations are useful in micro-stage or high-order three-dimensional self assembly applications.

Claims

1. An apparatus, comprising a nano-electromechanical system (NEMS) or micro-electromechanical system (MEMS), wherein the NEMS or MEMS comprises as at least one component:

a substrate comprising a surface; and

a plurality of substantially straight nano-fibers, each having a longitudinal dimension, said nano-fibers partially embedded in the surface such that a portion of the embedded nano-fibers extend above the surface along said longitudinal dimensions, wherein the nano-fibers are arranged such that said longitudinal dimensions are substantially parallel to the surface, wherein all of said nano-fibers partially embedded in the surface are in substantially a same plane.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the surface is locally flat with respect to the length of the nano-fiber.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the embedded nano-fibers in the surface are substantially parallel to each other.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the embedded nano-fibers are arranged in a concentric circular pattern.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the embedded nano-fibers are arranged in a radial pattern.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the nano-fibers are nanotubes.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the nanotubes are carbon nanotubes.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the carbon nanotubes are single-walled carbon nanotubes.

9. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the carbon nanotubes are multi-walled carbon nanotubes.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the embedded nano-fibers are positioned within trenches in the surface of the substrate.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the trenches have an approximately rectangular cross section.

12. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the trenches have an approximately semi-circular cross section.