Reversibly Compressible and Stretchable “Springlike” Polymeric Nanojunctions Between Metal Nanoparticles

Spring-loaded junctions: An electromechanical device is fabricated by incorporating crosslinked polymer molecules between gold nanoparticles in a two-dimensional array. After compression or stretching induced by a high electric field (see picture) or a centrifugal field, respectively, the junctions exert force on the nanoparticles to move them back to their original position, similar to a windup toy.