Optical near-fields & nearfield optics

• Alfred J. Meixner and
• Paul Leiderer

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2014, 5, 186–187, doi:10.3762/bjnano.5.19

• radiation could emerge from such structures (so-called spasers). The mechanical effects of the optical near-fields can be substantial. Examples are specially shaped nano-holes, studied by Rosa et al. [7], which can be much more efficiently used as plasmonic optical tweezers for nano-objects than the usual

Manipulation of nanoparticles of different shapes inside a scanning electron microscope

• Boris Polyakov,
• Sergei Vlassov,
• Leonid M. Dorogin,
• Jelena Butikova,
• Mikk Antsov,
• Sven Oras,
• Rünno Lõhmus and
• Ilmar Kink

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2014, 5, 133–140, doi:10.3762/bjnano.5.13

• method for the investigation of the mobility of nano-objects on solid substrates and it is contributing to a deeper understanding of nanomechanics and nanotribology [1]. Thanks to the rapid progress in the synthesis of NPs, there is a wide choice of materials, structures, compositions, shapes and

Towards atomic resolution in sodium titanate nanotubes using near-edge X-ray-absorption fine-structure spectromicroscopy combined with multichannel multiple-scattering calculations

• Carla Bittencourt,
• Peter Krüger,
• Maureen J. Lagos,
• Xiaoxing Ke,
• Gustaaf Van Tendeloo,
• Chris Ewels,
• Polona Umek and
• Peter Guttmann

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2012, 3, 789–797, doi:10.3762/bjnano.3.88

• Functional Materials, Albert-Einstein-Str. 15, 12489 Berlin, Germany 10.3762/bjnano.3.88 Abstract Recent advances in near-edge X-ray-absorption fine-structure spectroscopy coupled with transmission X-ray microscopy (NEXAFS–TXM) allow large-area mapping investigations of individual nano-objects with spectral

Effect of spherical Au nanoparticles on nanofriction and wear reduction in dry and liquid environments

• Dave Maharaj and
• Bharat Bhushan

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2012, 3, 759–772, doi:10.3762/bjnano.3.85

• ; nanomanipulation; Introduction Nano-objects are continually studied in tribological applications and increasingly in other applications that require controlled manipulation and targeting in liquid environments. The need for suitable forms of lubrication for micro/nanoelectromechanical systems (MEMS/NEMS) and the

• ability to control and transport nano-objects in liquids, requires an understanding of nano-object behavior, with regards to friction, adhesion and wear, which is essential to their successful and continued application. Increasing the lifetime and efficiency of individual components of systems is crucial

• needed become high, which can hinder device operation and reliability [2]. The choice of a suitable lubricant on these scales becomes crucial. Nano-objects are also used for applications that require controlled manipulation and targeting mechanisms in biomedicine and the oil industry. Applications

Transport through molecular junctions

• Jan M. van Ruitenbeek

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2011, 2, 691–692, doi:10.3762/bjnano.2.74

• research, where molecule-specific properties can be engineered and studied. The most prominent property that distinguishes organic molecules from inorganic quantum dots and nanowires is that they are floppy nano-objects with a strong coupling between charge transport and vibrational degrees of freedom

Manipulation of gold colloidal nanoparticles with atomic force microscopy in dynamic mode: influence of particle–substrate chemistry and morphology, and of operating conditions

• Samer Darwich,
• Karine Mougin,
• Akshata Rao,
• Enrico Gnecco,
• Shrisudersan Jayaraman and
• Hamidou Haidara

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2011, 2, 85–98, doi:10.3762/bjnano.2.10

• Science Center Road, Corning, NY 14831, USA 10.3762/bjnano.2.10 Abstract One key component in the assembly of nanoparticles is their precise positioning to enable the creation of new complex nano-objects. Controlling the nanoscale interactions is crucial for the prediction and understanding of the

• nanoscale objects (nano-objects), we mean using external force for positioning or assembling objects in two (2-D) or three (3-D) dimensions by twisting, bending, picking-and-placing, or pushing and pulling them [3]. Nanomanipulation is a complex 3-D problem. Because mechanical and chemical properties of

• substrates, probing tools and nano-objects (especially ‘particles’) are combined, different results are expected depending on the environmental and operating conditions. Numerous methods exist for the manipulation of nanostructures and can be classified into two categories as non-contact and contact

A collisional model for AFM manipulation of rigid nanoparticles

• Enrico Gnecco

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2010, 1, 158–162, doi:10.3762/bjnano.1.19

• microscopy; nanomanipulation; nanoparticles; Introduction Quite soon after its invention, it became clear that atomic force microscopy (AFM) could be used not only for maging but also for manipulating nano-objects [1][2]. This possibility has produced spectacular results and last, but not least, it has