Glass structures for nanodelivery and nanosensing

This invention allows the production of tapered straight and cantilevered structures that are optimized for the maximal nanodelivery of electromagnetic radiation and chemicals and for the maximal sensitivity in the nanosensing of ionic phenomena with high efficiency. These structures are generated so that they can simultaneously act as force sensors with excellent dynamic characteristics. Unlike previous attempts at obtaining such elements with chemical etching techniques our methodology is based solely on the application of glass pulling technologies with specific protocols that can minimize the subwavelength travel of light waves and can maximize the dynamic capabilities of these devices. Unlike the glass etching techniques these glass pulling technologies are universally, applicable to glass micropipettes and fibers. In addition optimal geometries of force sensing glass micropipettes are invented for the optimal delivery of chemicals in nanoguantities in a defined and in a nanometrically controlled fashion. A device comprising a tapered glass structure produced from glass capillary tube by pulling technologies to generate an optimized geometry for high transmission efficiency of electromagnetic radiation. The device being bent near the tip to produce a cantilevered structure suitable for normal force sensing in a variety of attractive, repulsive and non-contact imaging modes.