Freestanding carbon nanotube specimen fabrication

Freestanding specimens are required in experiments investigating mechanical, thermal, electrical and electromechanical properties of nanotubes. We present a lithographic technique for fabricating freestanding nanotube, nanowires and nanorod specimens with their ends embedded in polymers, metals or any other material. The technique is repeatable, flexible, and addresses the issue of firm gripping of the specimens. The flexibility offered by the lithography method will enable co-fabrication of the specimens with sensors and actuators for performing a wide variety of nano-mechanical characterization.