Nano machine shop could lead to revolutionary tiny structures

According to a statement, the structures might be tuned for applications ranging from high-speed electronics to solar cells and may have greater strength and unusual traits such as ultra-high magnetism and plasmonic resonance, which could lead to improved optics, computers and electronics.

The researchers used their technique to stamp nano- and micro-gears, form circular shapes out of graphene and change the shape of silver nanowires, said Gary Cheng, an associate professor of industrial engineering at Purdue University.

‘We do this shaping at room temperature and atmospheric pressure, like a nano machine shop,’ said Cheng, who is working with doctoral students Ji Li, Yiliang Liao, Ting-Fung Chung and Sergey Suslov and physics professor Yong P Chen.

Graphene and nanowires have numerous potential applications. However, technologies are needed to tailor them for specific uses. The new method, called laser shock-induced shaping, makes it possible to tune nanowires by altering electrical and optoelectrical properties that are critical for electronic components.