Researchers at Northwestern University have developed the first electric motor of a molecular
Chemical structure of the electric motor. Image: Northwestern
For their electric motors researcherscatenanes were used. This is a class of chemical compounds whose molecules are several rings held together by powerful mechanical bonds. Due to this structure, the components of the molecule can move freely relative to each other.
To create the engine, scientists used[3] catenane is a chemical compound whose molecule is a loop linked to two identical rings. In work published in the journal Nature, the researchers demonstrated that the elements of this compound can perform unidirectional movement under the influence of electricity.
Scheme of the structure and operation of the electric motor. Image: Long Zhang et al., Nature
Scientists note that although previously reported onsynthesis of individual elements that can work as molecular engines, all these developments required extreme conditions, such as ultrahigh vacuum. The option proposed by the engineers is much easier to manufacture and can work in a conventional solution.
Researchers are currently working onattaching a large number of tiny motors to the surface of the electrode to act on the surface and eventually do useful work. In the future, such devices can be used to move nanorobots in organic liquids during treatment and in biological research.
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