Powerful nanomotor in the form of weightlifting
2006/03/13 Galarraga Aiestaran, Ana - Elhuyar Zientzia
Researchers at the University of Groningen have invented a powerful nanomotor capable of moving objects 10,000 times larger than themselves.
The motor is a molecule in the form of weightlifting. The central axis is the double carbon bond, the rotor is the upper part of the molecule and the lower the stator. However, the work is not done by a single molecule, but is moved by several molecules embedded in liquid crystals.
During the research they managed to move a rod of about 5-28 microns placed on this liquid crystal. To do this, they have placed the liquid crystal under a light of 365 nm wavelength, which changes the appearance of the molecule and heats up when removing the light. These changes make the rod turn. Specifically it moves at a speed of 0.67 revolutions per minute in the photochemical stage and 0.22 revolutions per minute in the thermal stage.
According to the researchers, the work is a step towards obtaining nanomissions or nanovehicles.
If you want to see the nanomotor running, in this space of the University of Groningen you will find the videos of the research.
