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.