Nanomotors

A molecular diagram of the team's new DNA nanomotor, consisting of a rotor (yellow), ratcheting platform (blue) and a base (white)

Science

First self-assembling DNA nanomotor runs on electricity

Researchers at the Technical University of Munich (TUM) have developed the world’s first electric nanomotors made of DNA. The self-assembling structures can be activated by an electric charge to spin a ratcheting rotor arm.

Nanomotors quickly move through water, removing carbon dioxide as they go

Environment

Nanomotors could help reduce carbon dioxide pollution in oceans

Climate change has a huge impact on the health of the world's oceans. In an attempt to find a solution for carbon dioxide pollution in the oceans, nanoengineers at the UC San Diego have developed micromotors that can move through water, removing CO2 and converting it into usable material.

Micro-motor powered nanobots have delivered a nanoparticle compound directly into the gut tissue of a live mouse (Photo: Shutterstock)

Body & Mind

Nanobot micromotors deliver medical payload in living creature for the first time

Micro-motor powered nanobots created by UC, San Diego researchers, and propelled by gas bubbles made from a reaction with the contents of the stomach in which they were deposited, have been successfully deployed in the body of a live creature for the very first time.

The nanoprop is able to easily pass between polymer chains, like those present in bodily fluids

Robotics

"World's smallest propeller" may find use on nanobots

In order for microscopic "nanobots" to get to their destinations, they'll need some form of propulsion. A team of Israeli and German scientists has responded by creating what they claim is the world's smallest propeller.

Scientists have established that ultrasound waves can spin a 200 nanometers wide rod up to an impressive 150,000 rpm (Image: NIST)

Robotics

Gold nanomotors clocked at a record 150,000 RPM

Scientists at NIST have discovered that a gold nanorod submerged in water and exposed to ultrasound waves can spin at an incredible speed of 150,000 RPM. The advance could lead to powerful nanomotors with important applications in medicine, high-speed machining, and the mixing of materials.