Micro- and nanosized mechanical switches are used in all sorts of nano- and micromechanical systems (NEMS and MEMS) that can be applied in all areas of electronics, from cars to personal computers. But such switches are currently not very reliable and can fail easily, by routes such as sticking, electric shorts resulting in welding, and surface degradation with use. More reliable switches with longer lifetimes are needed to make long-lived electronic devices.