The experiment begins with one vertical tube (main tube) and one horizontal tube (lasso tube) (a). A tube is then brought in close proximity to the main tube (b) and the tube is pushed against (perhaps on top of) the main tube (c). Additional tubes are then manipulated on top of the main tube (d). Finally, the lasso tube is opened and unwanted tubes are pushed away (e). Image (f) shows some unraveling of the nanotubes that has occurred as a result of the AFM manipulation.

J. Lefebvre, J. F. Lynch, M. Llaguno, M. Radosavljevic and A. T. Johnson, Single-wall carbon nanotube circuits assembled with an atomic force microscope, Appl. Phys. Lett. 75, 3014-3016(1999).