  The van der Waals interactions between two parallel graphitic nanowiggles
(GNWs) are calculated using the coupled dipole method (CDM). The CDM is an
efficient and accurate approach to determine such interactions explicitly by
taking into account the discrete atomic structure. Our findings show that the
van der Waals forces vary from attraction to repulsion as nanoribbons move
along their lengths with respect to each other. This feature leads to a number
of stable and unstable positions of the system during the movement process.
These positions can be tuned by changing the length of GNW. Moreover, the
influence of the thermal effect on the van der Waals interactions is also
extensively investigated. This work would give good direction for both future
theoretical and experimental studies.
