Abstract
Molecular dynamics simulations demonstrate how a mechanically bistable single-walled carbon nanotube can act as a variable-shaped capacitor. If the voltage is tuned so that collapsed and inflated states are degenerate, the tube's susceptibility to diverse external stimuli-temperature, voltage, trapped atoms-diverges following a universal curve, yielding an exceptionally sensitive sensor or actuator. The boundary between collapsed and inflated states can shift hundreds of angstroms in response to a single gas atom inside the tube. Several potential nanoelectromechanical devices could be based on this electrically tuned crossover between near-degenerate collapsed and inflated configurations.
Original language | English (US) |
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Article number | 155501 |
Journal | Physical review letters |
Volume | 106 |
Issue number | 15 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Apr 11 2011 |
All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes
- General Physics and Astronomy