A Carbon Nanotube-Based Sensor for Measuring Forces Developed by Cells

C. Roman, F. Ciontu and B. Courtois
TIMA Laboratory, FR

Keywords: nanotechnology, carbon nanotubes, force sensor, molecular dynamics, multi-terminal conductance, Green functions, cell membranes, actin polymerization, atomic force microscopy

Abstract:
We propose and validate through atomistic modeling and simulation a novel carbon nanotube-based sensor for measuring forces in the pico-Newton range, distributed over lengths ranging from nano-meters up to micro-meters. The mechanical behavior is modeled with molecular dynamics while the electrical transport phenomena are tackled with a Green's function-based technique. The modeled device proves its fitness for biological force measurements, although it can be easily adapted in the future to produce next-generation lateral force microscopes.

Nanotech 2004 Conference Technical Program Abstract