Microswitch with self-assembled carbon nanotube arrays for high current density and reliable contact

A microswitch based on self-assembled carbon nanotube (CNT) arrays as micromechanical contact material has been demonstrated. The aligned CNT arrays are synthesized on microelectrodes and movable shuttle fabricated on a silicon-on-insulator (SOI) wafer. The CNT arrays are self-assembled on microstructures making mechanical contact between source and shuttle, and this contact is preloaded by the growth force of CNT and mechanical restoring force of the strained springs. Based on high interfacial contact area of CNT arrays, high electrical conductivity and excellent mechanical properties of CNT, highly reliable and durable micromechanical contact for microswitch is experimentally demonstrated while high-density currents are stably transmitted.