nanomotor
Tiny mechanical driver
A nanomotor is a molecular-scale machine that converts energy into mechanical motion.
These devices operate at the nanometer scale—billionths of a meter—and may be synthetic or biological in origin.
Cells contain natural nanomotors like the proteins that drive muscle contraction or transport cargo along cellular tracks.
Synthetic nanomotors are engineered for applications in medicine, manufacturing, and materials science: Researchers developed nanomotors that could deliver drugs directly to cancer cells.
Engineered molecular-scale apparatus
- nanomachineMolecule-sized autonomous device
- nanotubeNanoscale carbon cylinder
- grapheneMonolayer carbon hexagonal lattice
- nanofabricationCreating nanometer-scale structures
self-assembly · nanomaterial · biosensor · nanomanufacturing · semiconductor · microchip · photonics · silicon
Motor protein enabling contraction
- ATPCell's energy molecule
- flagellumWhiplike cellular appendage
- microtubuleCylindrical cell structure protein
- proteinFolded amino chain
enzyme · ribosome · polymerase · cytoskeleton · organelle · biomolecule · catalysis · chemotaxis
Turning on an axis
- thrustForceful forward motion
- locomotionAbility to travel independently
- torqueRotational force measurement
- swimmingLocomotion through water
spinning · oscillation · actuation · vibration · sliding · kinetics · dynamics · force
Manufacturing miniature structures precisely
- assemblyConstructing from components
- miniaturizationReducing physical scale significantly
- prototypeFirst functional specimen
- manufactureMake goods industrially
design · synthetic · integration · actuator · robotics · engineering · bottom-up · top-down
Accuracy of measurement
- manipulationUnderhanded control of others
- targetingSelecting as objective
- accuracyDegree of correctness
- calibrationAdjusting for measurement accuracy
fine-tuning · specificity · steering · guidance · programmable · responsive · feedback · optimization
Forming mental or graphical images
- magnificationDegree of visual enlargement
- resolutionFormal decision or determination
- characterizationDescribing distinctive qualities
- spectroscopyStudy of light-matter interaction
nanodevice
Engineered molecular-scale apparatus
- nanomachineMolecule-sized autonomous device
- nanotubeNanoscale carbon cylinder
- grapheneMonolayer carbon hexagonal lattice
nanofabrication · self-assembly · nanomaterial · biosensor · nanomanufacturing · semiconductor · microchip · photonics · silicon · transistor
myosin
Motor protein enabling contraction
- ATPCell's energy molecule
- flagellumWhiplike cellular appendage
- microtubuleCylindrical cell structure protein
protein · enzyme · ribosome · polymerase · cytoskeleton · organelle · biomolecule · catalysis · chemotaxis · motility
rotation
Turning on an axis
- thrustForceful forward motion
- locomotionAbility to travel independently
- torqueRotational force measurement
swimming · spinning · oscillation · actuation · vibration · sliding · kinetics · dynamics · force · mobility
microfabrication
Manufacturing miniature structures precisely
- assemblyConstructing from components
- miniaturizationReducing physical scale significantly
- prototypeFirst functional specimen
manufacture · design · synthetic · integration · actuator · robotics · engineering · bottom-up · top-down · lithography
precision
Accuracy of measurement
- manipulationUnderhanded control of others
- targetingSelecting as objective
- accuracyDegree of correctness
calibration · fine-tuning · specificity · steering · guidance · programmable · responsive · feedback · optimization · adjustment
visualization
Forming mental or graphical images
- magnificationDegree of visual enlargement
- resolutionFormal decision or determination
- characterizationDescribing distinctive qualities
nanomotorturbine
Blade-driven energy converter
steam engine · diesel engine · locomotive engine · jet engine · electric motor
nano, nanometer, nanotechnology, nanoparticle, nanoscale, nanosecond, motor, motors, motored