Microtipire

Microtipire is a proposed class of nanoscale probing devices intended for multimodal interaction at a surface. The name combines microtip, referring to the nanoscale probe tip, with the suffix -ire, used in several device families to denote functional components. Microtipire devices are envisioned as individual tips or tiny arrays that can be mounted on standard scanning probe microscopy (SPM) holders.

Designs vary, but common features include a sharp apex (radius on the order of tens to a few hundred nanometers), a conductive path for electrical measurements, and the possibility of functional coatings for chemical sensing or actuation. Materials include silicon, silicon nitride, carbon-based films, or composite coatings. Some concepts attach microelectrodes or piezoelectric elements to the tip to enable simultaneous imaging and stimulation.

Fabrication uses microfabrication techniques such as lithography, anisotropic etching, and conformal coating. Integration with readout electronics allows multimodal data collection. Operation can occur in contact, tapping, or non-contact modes, with enhanced control for force and stimulus delivery. Environmental sensitivity and tip wear remain important considerations.

Potential applications span high-resolution imaging, nanoscale spectroscopy, localized electrical stimulation, and targeted chemical sensing in materials science and biology. As a concept, microtipire is not a universally adopted term and appears mainly in speculative discussions and early-stage experimental reports. Ongoing work focuses on reliability, on-tip functionalization, and scalable fabrication.