Microsystem for nanofiber electromechanical measurements

A microscale, thermally actuated, uniaxial testing stage for nanofiber materials has been designed and fabricated. Electrical separation of portions of the stage allows two-point electrical measurements simultaneously with in situ mechanical testing. Using this stage, a nanofiber consisting of a carbon nanotube (CNT) surrounded by amorphous carbon was subjected to mechanical loading and simultaneous electrical impedance characterization, which provides a means to derive fiber resistance measurements when a fiber is mechanically coupled using highly resistive contacts. Stress applied to the nanofiber was estimated using measurements of the stage displacement and the input power supplied to the thermal actuator. (C) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.