Surface-tension-driven nanoelectromechanical relaxation oscillator
Abstract
Because of its linear dependence on length scale, surface tension can be a dominant force for small systems. Properly harnessed, this force is uniquely suited for nanomechanical applications. We have developed a nanoelectromechanical relaxation oscillator with a surface-tension-driven power stroke. The oscillator consists of two liquid metal droplets exchanging mass, and its frequency is directly controlled with a low-level dc electrical voltage.
- Publication:
-
Applied Physics Letters
- Pub Date:
- March 2005
- DOI:
- 10.1063/1.1887827
- Bibcode:
- 2005ApPhL..86l3119R
- Keywords:
-
- 07.10.Cm;
- 85.85.+j;
- Micromechanical devices and systems;
- Micro- and nano-electromechanical systems and devices