Carbon nanotube tweezer and a method of producing the same

A carbon nanotube (CNT) tweezer and a method of producing the tweezer are disclosed. The tweezer includes a tip formed from an insulator, and first and second CNT prongs. The first prong extends from a surface of the tip, and the second prong is spaced from the first prong and extends from the surface of the tip generally parallel to the first prong. The prongs are grown from a catalyst. A first patch of the catalyst is deposited onto the surface and a second patch of the catalyst onto the surface and spaced from the first patch. The catalyst is subjected to chemical vapor deposition to initiate growth of the prongs. The prongs extend from the tip with a distance between ends of the prongs. The prongs are bent toward one another thereby decreasing the distance between the ends such that the small particle is grasped therebetween and can be micro-manipulated.