Scientists have developed the world's smallest electric motor using carbon nanotubes, with a diameter of approximately 500 nanometers—300 times smaller than a human hair. This tiny motor can be rotated by applying voltage. The design was created by researchers at the University of California, Berkeley, including Alex Zeitler, who published their findings in the prestigious journal *Nature*. The motor features gold blades, less than 300 nanometers long, mounted on a single layer of carbon nanotubes acting as the rotating shaft. These nanotubes are multi-walled and consist of several hollow tubes of varying diameters. At both ends, silicon dioxide electrodes are fixed onto a silicon wafer, while three additional electrodes surround the nanotubes. When a voltage is applied between the nanotubes and one of the electrodes, the gold blades begin to rotate. Increasing the voltage causes the outer layers of the nanotubes to separate from the inner ones, making the blades more flexible. A steady voltage keeps the blades in place, while a periodic voltage allows them to spin at a controlled speed. Unlike previous nano-motors, which were either larger or required lasers or magnetic fields to operate, this new design is easier to control, more flexible, and functions under a wide range of temperature and chemical conditions, even in a vacuum. Its potential applications are vast, such as using the gold blades as mirrors to manipulate light signals or detecting chemicals through blade resonance and rotational speed. This breakthrough opens up exciting possibilities for future nanotechnology and micro-scale engineering.

Structured Packing

Structured Packing,Structured Packing In Distillation Column,Ceramic Structured Packing,Structured Packing Column

Ningbo Cijie Chemical Equipment Co., Ltd. , https://www.chemicaltower.com