Chemically programmed nanomechanical motion of multiple cantilever arrays.
Biologically inspired cantilever systems which transform biochemical reactions into nanomechanical motion have attracted attention for label-free biosensing and nanorobotic applications. Here, we take advantage of chemically programmable proton-driven reactions to actuate both the direction and amplitude of nanomechanical cantilever motion in aqueous environments, corresponding to femto-Newton single molecule surface stress. By altering the end groups of self-assembled coatings, we deconvolute the dominant role of surface charge over hydrophilic/hydrophobic interactions and attribute reference cantilever signals to the silicon underside of the cantilever. These findings and underlying concepts will lead to the next generation of massively parallel intelligent nanomechanical systems triggered by self-assembled reactions.
Watari
Moyu
M
London Centre for Nanotechnology and Division of Medicine, University College London, 17-19 Gordon Street, London WC1H 0AH United Kingdom.
Ndieyira
Joseph W
JW
McKendry
Rachel A
RA
D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D057927:Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Interactions; D055617:Micro-Electrical-Mechanical Systems / Q000379:methods*; D049329:Nanostructures / Q000737:chemistry*; D036103:Nanotechnology / Q000379:methods*