Dynamic modeling for nanomanipulation of polystyrene nanorod by atomic force microscope

Nanomanipulation, using an Atomic Force Microscope (AFM), is one of the new emerging approaches to manufacturing in nanoscale. Wide spread applications of nano-rods and lack of real time imaging in nanotechnology cause the necessity of process modelling. This article presents a new dynamic model for flexible nanorods on elastic substrate. This model presents a nine step strategy to push nanorods, considering three basic nanoforces; van der Waals, friction and contact force for quantitative analysis of effective parameters. Dynamic analysis of nanorod pushing, considering depression on elastic substrate, indention between the tip-nanorod and deflection along a straight path, is presented. Using a beam on elastic substrate assumption, the complete model up to now for nanorod manipulation is obtained. This model is verified by available (theoretical and experimental) results. A polystyrene nanorod is simulated, and the snap in/pull out distances, critical force and time, maximum deflection and safety factor of the process are obtained. Also it is determined that the dynamic mode of micro and nanorods is different. Despite the rolling mode being dominant in micro rod manipulation, the sliding mode is observed to be the dominant dynamic mode in the pushing of nanorods. Our model can be used in the mechanical behaviour of nanorods.