Abstract: A microelectronics apparatus comprising a substrate, a pair of grid electrodes coupled to the substrate on opposing sides of a central axis, wherein the grid electrodes are substantially parallel to each other and extend substantially perpendicular from the substrate, and a plurality of ion reflection lenses each coupled to the substrate, wherein each ion reflection lens: (1) is substantially perpendicular to each of the grid electrodes; (2) extends substantially perpendicular from the substrate; and (3) has an aperture aligned with the central axis.

Abstract: An apparatus that is or includes an ion trap, wherein the ion trap comprises an injection endcap, an extraction endcap, a plurality of ring electrode segments collectively positioned in substantially coaxial alignment between the injection and extraction endcaps, and a plurality of insulators each interposing neighboring ones of the plurality of ring electrode segments.

Abstract: Electrical, thermal and mechanical applications are provided for nanocomposite materials having low percolation thresholds for electrical conductivity, low percolation thresholds for thermal conductivity, or improved mechanical properties.

Abstract: A method including directing a first electrical signal to at least one of a plurality of probes each positioned within a chamber of a charged particle beam device. At least one of the plurality of probes is exposed to a charged particle beam of the charged particle beam device, and a second electrical signal is compared to the first electrical signal to determine a characteristic associated with the at least one of the plurality of probes.

Abstract: Fabricating electrical isolation properties into a MEMS device is described. One embodiment comprises a main substrate layer of a high-resistivity semiconductor material, such as high-resistivity silicon. The high-resistivity substrate is then controllably doped to provide a region of high-conductivity in the main substrate. Electrical isolation is achieved in such an embodiment by patterning the high-conductivity region either by masking the main substrate during the doping or etching through the doped, high-conductivity region in order to form regions of high conductivity. Effective isolation results from confinement of electrical currents to the lowest-resistance path. An alternative embodiment employs the fabrication of pn junctions and the use of reverse biasing to enhance the electrical isolation. A further embodiment comprises a main substrate layer of low-resistivity semiconductor material with a layer of insulator deposited thereon.

Abstract: A modular manipulation system and method for using such modular manipulation system for manipulating a sample under study with a microscope are provided. According to at least one embodiment, a platform is provided that comprises an interface to a microscope, a sample stage, and a plurality of interfaces for receiving manipulator modules for manipulating a sample arranged on the sample stage. Preferably, the plurality of interfaces for receiving manipulator modules are each capable of detachably coupling a manipulator module to the platform. Thus, in a preferred embodiment, a user may selectively couple one or more desired manipulator modules to the platform to enable a desired type of manipulation to be performed on a sample under study. Accordingly, a preferred embodiment enables great flexibility in configuring a manipulation system in a desired manner.

Abstract: An apparatus including a base configured to slidably engage a driven element, a piezoelectric element interposing the base and the driven element and attached to the base proximate a first piezoelectric element end, and a friction element attached proximate a second piezoelectric element end and configured to selectively engage the driven element.

Abstract: An apparatus including a positioner that is transitional from a first positioner orientation towards a second positioner orientation and that comprises a bistable member having a first substantially stable state corresponding to the first positioner orientation and a second substantially stable state corresponding to the second positioner orientation. The apparatus also includes a coupler that is transitional from a first coupler orientation towards a second coupler orientation in response to transition of the bistable-member.

Abstract: An apparatus including a positioner control device, a measuring device and a control routine. The positioner control device is communicatively coupled to a chamber of a charged particle beam device (CPBD) and is configured to individually manipulate each of a plurality of probes within the CPBD chamber to establish contact between ones of the plurality of probes and corresponding ones of a plurality of contact points of a sample positioned in the CPBD chamber. The measuring device is communicatively coupled to the CPBD and the positioner control device and is configured to perform one of a measurement and a detection of a characteristic associated with one of the plurality of contact points. The control routine is configured to at least partially automate control of at least one of the CPBD, the positioner control device and the measuring device.

Abstract: A new process and structure for microcomponent interconnection utilizing a post-assembly activated junction compound. In one embodiment, first and second microcomponents having respective first and second contact areas are provided. A junction compound is formed on one of the first and second contact areas, and the first and second contact areas are positioned adjacent each other on opposing sides of the junction compound. The junction compound is then activated to couple the first and second microcomponents.

Abstract: A method of releasing a micro-electronic device formed over an insulator of a silicon-on-insulator (SOI) substrate. In one embodiment, the release method includes etching at least a portion of the insulator to separate the micro-electronic device from the SOI substrate, rinsing at least the micro-electronic device, exposing at least the micro-electronic device to a micro-sphere solution and removing the micro-electronic device from the SOI substrate. The release method may also include exposing the micro-electronic device to an etching plasma to substantially expunge the micro-sphere solution.

Abstract: A microcolumn including an assembly substrate and a plurality of beam modification components. The assembly substrate includes a plurality of sockets, and the beam modification components each include a connector coupled to a corresponding one of the sockets. Assembly of the beam modification components to the assembly substrate may employ automation and/or automated calibration, including automated motion of robotic stages in a substantially automated manner.

Abstract: A thermal interface device that includes nanotubes, projecting from opposing surfaces of a substrate, methods for fabricating such a thermal interface device, and methods for applying such a thermal interface device to a heat-generating device. The nanotubes are substantially perpendicularly aligned with respect to the substrate.

Abstract: An apparatus including at least three deflectable members each configured to deflect during assembly with a component, and also configured to remain in contact with the component after assembly with the component. At least one of the deflectable members and the component has a thickness not greater than about 1000 microns.

Abstract: Poly(aryleneethynylene) polymers for exfoliating and dispersing/solubilizing nanomaterial are provided herein. The poly(aryleneethynylene) polymers have unit monomer portions, each monomer portion having at least one electron donating substituent thereby forming an electron donor monomer portion, or at least one electron withdrawing substituent thereby forming an electron accepting monomer portion. Such polymers exfoliate and disperse nanomaterial without presonication of the nanomaterial.

Abstract: A system and method for storing potential energy in a microcomponent is disclosed comprising a multi-stable element having two or more equilibrium states and a stopper to restrict the multi-stable element from entering at least one of the two or more equilibrium states. The pre-charged microcomponent may then preferably be transported to another location and use the stored potential energy to perform some action.

Abstract: Poly(aryleneethynylene) polymers, poly(ferrocenylaryleneethynylene) polymers and poly(ferrocenylethynylene) polymers having properties particularly useful for solubilizing nanomaterials and for effecting subsequent re-solubilization of a solid polymer-solubilized nanomaterial, and compositions and methods thereto are provided.

Abstract: A method for manipulating a nanoscale object deposited on a substrate. The surface of the substrate is passive. A target position is formed on the passive surface by the action of the tip of a scanning probe microscope. The nanoscale object is picked from its initial position by the tip of the scanning probe microscope, then placed and released at the target position.

Abstract: An apparatus including a micro-mechanical calibration member having at least a portion that is elastically biasable away from a neutral position in response to mechanical contact. The apparatus may also include a fixed member proximate the micro-mechanical calibration member which may be referenced to automatically detect deflection of the micro-mechanical calibration member away from the neutral position. The micro-mechanical calibration member may also be configured to receive a micro-mechanical contacting member to provide the mechanical contact employed to bias the micro-mechanical calibration member away from the neutral position.

Abstract: A new, non-wrapping approach to functionalizing nanotubes, such as carbon nanotubes, in organic and inorganic solvents is provided. In accordance with certain embodiments, carbon nanotube surfaces are functionalized in a non-wrapping fashion by functional conjugated polymers that include functional groups. Various embodiments provide polymers that noncovalently bond with carbon nanotubes in a non-wrapping fashion. For example, various embodiments of polymers are provided that comprise a relatively rigid backbone that is suitable for noncovalently bonding with a carbon nanotube substantially along the nanotube's length, as opposed to about its diameter. In preferred polymers, the major interaction between the polymer backbone and the nanotube surface is parallel ?-stacking. In certain implementations, the polymers further comprise at least one functional extension from the backbone that are any of various desired functional groups for functionalizing a carbon nanotube.