Towards hierarchical nanoassembly

Assembly of nanometer-scale objects by scanning probe microscope (SPM) as a promising approach for the fabrication of nanoelectromechanical systems (NEMS). This paper describes several techniques for positioning nanoparticles, linking them to form subassemblies, and moving entire subassemblies. These are first steps towards the hierarchical construction of complex nanoassemblies. Results of experiments conducted in ambient air and in liquid environments are presented. Nanomanipulation in liquids opens new research directions involving interactions with single biomolecules, and fine control of forces between tips, particles and surface substrates.