Surface-Tension-Driven Nanoelectromechanical Relaxation Oscillator

by B. C. Regan et al. Applied Physics Letters, 21 March 2005 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. Read the article