Nano-car gets an engine (twenty-thousand nano-cars could park on tip of human hair)

NewScientist Tech ^ | 2006 Apr 14 | Tom Samonite

[Wiz]

Researchers have installed a molecular engine into a "car" just a few billionths of a metre long. Measuring just 3 by 4 nanometres, around 20,000 of the cars could be parked on the tip of a human hair.

Jim Tour and colleagues at Rice University in Houston, US, built a chassis and wheels for a nano-car from organic molecules at the end of 2005. The engineless model could only be powered remotely - using a heated gold surface to stop its wheels sticking and an electromagnetic field to drag it forwards. But the new model should be able to propel itself - using a motor fuelled entirely by light.

The nano-car's molecular motor contains a pair of bonded carbon molecules that rotate in one direction if illuminated by a specific wavelength of light. After fixing the molecular engine to the car's chassis and shining a light on it, Tour's team confirmed that the engine was running by using nuclear magnetic resonance to monitor the position of the hydrogen atoms within it.

But the car was not released to drive itself along. "It's analogous to building a race car and putting it up on blocks," Tour said. "Now it's a question of getting it out on the track." The motor should function as a fifth wheel to drive the car along.

Seeing is believing Tour estimates that the car could travel two nanometres per minute but says his team has yet to find a way to watch their molecular automobile in action. "We think the car would drive along, but we wouldn't be able to see it and I don't think people would believe us," he says.

[Red Badger]

Now the EPA has gone waaaaay too far!..............

[Recovering Hermit]

Measuring just 3 by 4 nanometres, around 20,000 of the cars could be parked on the tip of a human hair.

I don't think I could fit into that.

[Boiler Plate]

Nano Compact? I bet it's a FIAT. They be driving these in Europe next year

[RandallFlagg]

Hey-HEEYY!
Finally something that can deliver democrat's patriotism and love of country.

[MineralMan]

Been done...lousy vehicle:

[SIDENET]

Cool! I love stuff like this.

[B Knotts]

It sure would help the parking situation at ball games.

[reagan_fanatic]

Isn't that the Erkelmobile?

[Dark Skies]

Saw this pic of it yesterday...

[domenad]

If I could build these I would make them run on diesel. JUST TO PISS THE ENVIROFRUITS OFF.

[MineralMan]

Isn't that the Erkelmobile?


I dunno. It's an Isetta 300. I had one back in the late sixties. Bought it for $200, drove it for two weeks, and sold it for $250. I wish I had it now. They bring some good bucks if they're in good condition. POS, though.

[MineralMan]

"If I could build these I would make them run on diesel. JUST TO PISS THE ENVIROFRUITS OFF."

Nah...they'd just convert it to run on old McDonald's french fry oil, doncha know.

[manwiththehands]

... the car could travel two nanometres per minute ...

"Slow down, Henry! YOU'RE GOING TOO FAST!"

[Wiz]

nano ping

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[thoughtomator]

That would certainly solve the parking problem around here.

[the invisib1e hand]

Seeing is believing

Exactly. Sounds like the Emporer has another set of new clothes.

[Wiz]

I would be happy to see a nano-SUV with a nano-number plate to run in front of them. Let's hope they would not give a parking ticket for parking on their tip of hair.

[Red Badger]

I wonder what their gas-nanometerage is?.......45 nano meters city and 85 nanometers highway (your nanometerage may vary)..........