Characterization of the mechanical properties and sensing behavior of iron-gallium nanowire arrays

This study experimentally investigates the capabilities of iron-gallium nanowire arrays as artificial cilia transducers. The experiments are conducted with a custom manipulator device incorporated into the stage of a scanning electron microscope (SEM) for observation. Individual nanowires of varying size and composition are mechanically tested statically and dynamically to determine the elastic properties and failure modes. Magnetic force microscopy (MFM) is used to observe the effect of stress on the magnetic domain structure of these nanowires. Entire arrays of close packed wires are mounted onto giant magnetoresistance (GMR) sensors to measure the coupled magnetic induction response resulting from bending the array. This data is compared with expected results from theory.