System and method for precision transport, positioning, and assembling of longitudinal nano-structures

1. A method for assembling multi-component nano-structures, comprising:

dispersing a plurality of nano-structures in a fluid medium;

applying an electric field having an alternating current (AC) component and a direct current (DC) component to the fluid medium containing the plurality of nano-structures,

wherein said electric field causes a first nano-structure from said plurality of nano-structures to move to a predetermined position and orientation relative to a second nano-structure of said plurality of nano-structures such that said first and second nano-structures assemble into a multi-component nano-structure, and

wherein each nano-structure of said plurality of nano-structures has a longitudinal dimension of less than 100 μm and a lateral dimension greater than 2 nm and less than 400 nm.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein said fluid medium consists essentially of de-ionized water.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein each nano-structure of said plurality of nano-structures has a longitudinal dimension of less than 10 μm and a lateral dimension of greater than 5 nm and less than 100 nm.

4. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

monitoring positions and orientations of said first and second nano-structures during said applying said electric field; and

changing said electric field based on said monitoring.

5. A method for assembling multi-component nano-structures, comprising:

dispersing a plurality of nano-structures in a fluid medium;

applying an electric field having an alternating current (AC) component and a direct current (DC) component to the fluid medium containing the plurality of nano-structures,

wherein said electric field causes a first nano-structure from said plurality of nano-structures to move to a predetermined position and orientation relative to a second nano-structure of said plurality of nano-structures such that said first and second nano-structures assemble into a multi-component nano-structure, and

wherein said second nano-structure is integrally connected to a substrate.

6. The method of claim 5 , wherein said first and second nano-structures each have a section of a magnetic material.

7. The method of claim 6 , wherein said first nano-structure and second nano-structure assemble into said multi-component nano-structure through a magnetic interaction of said sections of magnetic material.

8. The method of claim 5 , further comprising applying a magnetic field to selectively orient magnetic poles of said first nano-structure relative to magnetic poles of said second nano-structure.

9. A method for assembling multi-component nano-structures, comprising:

dispersing a plurality of nano-structures in a fluid medium;

applying an electric field having an alternating current (AC) component and a direct current (DC) component to the fluid medium containing the plurality of nano-structures; and

surface processing said first nano-structure to cause said first nano-structure to be at least one of electrically charged, electrically polarized or electrically polarizable,

wherein said electric field causes a first nano-structure from said plurality of nano-structures to move to a predetermined position and orientation relative to a second nano-structure of said plurality of nano-structures such that said first and second nano-structures assemble into a multi-component nano-structure.

10. The method of claim 9 , wherein said surface processing comprises conjugating at least one of a thiol group, a carboxyl group, an amino group, or equivalents thereof.