Design and Generation of Dielectrophoretic Forces for Manipulating Carbon Nanotubes

Abstract

In this chapter, the modeling of dielectrophoretic force for manipulating carbon nanotubes is presented. The dielectrophoretic force model is derived assuming carbon nanotubes to be a particle line structure after undergoing AC electric field. Simulation results are presented for the dielectrophoretic force model to verify the developed model. Furthermore, a model for controlling the rotation/orientation of carbon in nano assembly is derived and presented. This model precisely describes the rotational motion of carbon nanotubes in viscous medium (acetone). The derivation of this model correctly assumes that carbon nanotubes form a line shape after undergoing AC electric field, compared to the existing model that assumes carbon nanotubes to be a spherical particle. Simulation results are presented for both rotational motion of carbon nanotubes in viscous mediums and the electrorotation (torque) model to verify the developed models. © 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.