[extropy-chat] Nanotech becoming more "real"...

[Robert J. Bradbury]

>From Science:

"A Reversible, Unidirectional Molecular Rotary Motor
Driven by Chemical Energy", Fletcher, S.P. et al.

"With the long-term goal of producing nanometer-scale machines, we
describe here the unidirectional rotary motion of a synthetic molecular
structure fueled by chemical conversions. The basis of the rotation is the
movement of a phenyl rotor relative to a naphthyl stator about a single
bond axle. The sense of rotation is governed by the choice of chemical
reagents that power the motor through four chemically distinct stations.
Within the stations, the rotor is held in place by structural features
that limit the extent of the rotor's Brownian motion relative to the
stator."

Perhaps of note is that this is coming out of the Netherlands.
Presumably not a country where there are gigabucks going into
nanotechnology R&D.

Suggests (to me) that a little cleverness can go a long way.

Robert