Figure s2 shows connections corresponding to the three types of fullerene hinges.
Figures s2(a)–s2(j). The “electrical hinge” established using a fullerene clamped between two CNTs. The left CNT has an outer diameter of 3.3 ± 0.1 nm, whereas the one on the right has a diameter of about 4.4 ± 0.1 nm, which was covered with tinny graphite flakes. The fullerene in (a) has an outer diameter of 2.5 ± 0.1 nm and a wall thickness of approximately 0.6 ± 0.1 nm. The shaded regions separate the left CNT, the fullerene, and the right CNT, for guiding the eyes. In each figure, the two CNTs contacted with the fullerene with different contact geometries. Mode I contact is shown in (a)–(d), where the left CNT changed position while the fullerene remained almost unchanged. Mode II contact is shown in (e)–(f) and (i)–(j), where the distance between the two CNTs and the fullerene position changed simultaneously. Mode III contact is shown in (f)–(i), where the fullerene changed position between the two CNTs. These behaviors can be better understood by referring to Figure 1. Mixed contact modes were also extrapolated in the figure. The images were taken after finishing a complete I–V scan. Thus one or several I–V measurements could be performed between the adjacent images. Arrows in figures indicate the position of the fullerene. All figures have the same magnification. Bar = 10 nm.
