title: A review of micro/nano welding and its future developments.
abstract: A review is given about the current state-of-the-art surrounding micro/nano scale welding/joining used in miniaturization or microsystems. Except for reviewing the applications of micro/nano welding/joining in various fields, such as microelectromechanical system (MEMS), micro total-analysis systems (microTAS), carbon nanotubes (CNTs) etc., the optimal equipments for micro/nano welding/joining, its corresponding future applications and research directions are discussed. Moreover, an extensive part of the paper is devoted to the introduction of new techniques, micro/nano laser and electron beam welding/joining. In turn, it is anticipated these techniques will be used in future micro/nano welding/joining applications. Meanwhile, because even smallest particles of dust can influence the results, more considerations are given to machine improvements that are required for its corresponding nano welding/joining. It will be one challenge for R&D efforts to combine the progress in micro/nano scales with that in miniaturization. This review provides a timely explanation of the literature surrounding the factors required for successful micro and nano welding/joining.
authors.affiliation: Department of Manufacturing Engineering and Engineering Management, City University of Hong Kong, 83 Tat Chee Avenue, Kowloon Tong, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China. guoweichinese@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Kelvii W
authors.initials: KW
authors.lastname: Guo
mesh_terms: D049329:Nanostructures / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D036103:Nanotechnology / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods* / Q000639:trends*; D010330:Patents as Topic; D014896:Welding / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods*