Linked Life Data

19417497

Source:http://linkedlifedata.com/resource/pubmed/id/19417497

Statements in which the resource exists as a subject.
PredicateObject
rdf:type
lifeskim:mentions
pubmed:issue
9
pubmed:dateCreated
2009-5-6
pubmed:abstractText
We demonstrate the fabrication and testing of a prototype microtome knife based on a multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) for cutting approximately 100 nm thick slices of frozen-hydrated biological samples. A piezoelectric-based 3D manipulator was used inside a scanning electron microscope (SEM) to select and position individual MWCNTs, which were subsequently welded in place using electron beam-induced deposition. The knife is built on a pair of tungsten needles with provision to adjust the distance between the needle tips, accommodating various lengths of MWCNTs. We performed experiments to test the mechanical strength of a MWCNT in the completed device using an atomic force microscope tip. An increasing force was applied at the mid-point of the nanotube until failure occurred, which was observed in situ in the SEM. The maximum breaking force was approximately (8 x 10(-7)) N which corresponds well with the typical microtome cutting forces reported in the literature. In situ cutting experiments were performed on a cell biological embedding plastic (epoxy) by pushing it against the nanotube. Initial experiments show indentation marks on the epoxy surface. Quantitative analysis is currently limited by the surface asperities, which have the same dimensions as the nanotube.
pubmed:grant
pubmed:commentsCorrections
pubmed:language
eng
pubmed:journal
pubmed:citationSubset
IM
pubmed:chemical
pubmed:status
MEDLINE
pubmed:month
Mar
pubmed:issn
1361-6528
pubmed:author
pubmed:issnType
Electronic
pubmed:day
4
pubmed:volume
20
pubmed:owner
NLM
pubmed:authorsComplete
Y
pubmed:pagination
095701
pubmed:dateRevised
2011-9-26
pubmed:meshHeading
pubmed:year
2009
pubmed:articleTitle
Fabrication and characterization of a carbon nanotube-based nanoknife.
pubmed:affiliation
Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Colorado at Boulder, CO 80309, USA. gurpreet@vt.edu
pubmed:publicationType
Journal Article, Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural