A technological collaboration between Technology Innovations, LLC and Innovation On Demand has resulted in the successful development of a mechanical microactuator that can control objects as small as 100 nanometres.
Operated wirelessly via a focused beam of energy, the developers claim the microactuators fill the gap between millimetre size actuators at the high end and scanning probe microscope atomic manipulators at the low end, which are limited to moving individual atoms and small molecules.
The development is the result a combining two different technologies. Firstly, heat actuated shape memory alloys (SMA)—a special metal alloys that return to a “memory” state when heated—are used to create a thin film device, that, when miniaturized down to the low micron range, creates the body of the microactuator. Secondly, electron beam or photon beam heating is used to send directed energy (for heating—or actuating—the SMA element) to the microactuator, replacing the bulky physical connection that are normally required. This actuation technique allows the devices to be scaled down to approximately 2 microns wide by 10 microns long—50 times smaller than feasible devices made using current microactuator technology. An advantage of using a scanning electron microscope—which creates the electron actuation beam—is that it can be used for visual feedback and control.
According to the developers, potential applications are diverse. “Wireless SMA actuators provide a foundation technology for the creation of a wide range of nanotechnology tools that can be powered through the use of laser based or electron microscopes,” explains Michael Riedlinger, vice president of Technology Innovations. SMA microactuator technology uses include construction and control of medical devices such as valves and stents, microsurgical instruments, miniaturized manufacturing moulds and manipulation of proteins and genetic components.
Working samples of the microactuators have been created by independent nanotechnology companies using shape memory material sputtered onto tiny substrates and actuated with a scanning electron microscope.
The collaborative partners are seeking applications and companies interested in exploiting the technology.