Investigation of Unique Carbon Nanotube Cell Restraint Compliant Mechanisms

Abstract

Unique micromechanisms are required to grasp mouse egg cells while genetic material is inserted into the cell through micro or nanoinjection. To obtain the high aspect ratio needed to fully grasp the 100 μm-diameter cells, carbon-infiltrated vertically aligned carbon nanotube (CNT) forests are fabricated into various designs of compliant cell restraint mechanisms. Six preliminary designs are fabricated and tested, leading to a more effective design that meets the stated design requirements. This improved mechanism is discussed in detail. Finally, as a possible alternative to these more complicated mechanisms, a simple CNT passive cell restraint structure is also presented.