From Rice University in Texas:
In an October 2005 paper in the journal Nano Letters, researchers from Rice University described the synthesis and movement of nanocars. These single-molecule vehicles measure just 4x3 nanometers and have four buckyball wheels connected to four independently rotating axles and a organic chemical chassis. The Rice team found that the nanocars moved about on a metal surface by rolling of the wheels in a direction perpendicular to the axles, rather than sliding about like a car on ice. [emphasis added]
CLICK IMAGES TO ENLARGE
The research was conducted as a proof-of-concept for directional control of nanoscale transporters. Rice researchers Jim Tour and Kevin Kelly hope to build upon the work by designing nanotrucks, light-driven nanocars and other transports that can ferry atoms and molecules in non-living fabrication environments. The transporters will be akin hemoglobin and other biological transport systems that move oxygen and other key materials in the machinery of living cells.
Next it was announced that Rice University chemist Jim Tour and colleagues had produced the first motorized nanocar. The light-powered vehicles were described in the April 13, 2006 issue of Organic Letters. According to Rice, "Nanocars are test transport systems that may one day deliver molecular cargo for nanoscale construction."
More images can be found here and here.
Tags: nanotechnology nanotech nano science technology ethics weblog blog
Audio interview about the nanocar available here.
Posted by: NanoEnthusiast | June 23, 2006 at 12:01 PM
Do you really want scaled down car replicas as nano-transportation system? I believe there are much more suitable solutions.
Posted by: Andrey Khavryuchenko | June 23, 2006 at 12:56 PM
I'm pretty sure you're right, Andrey, but it's an interesting proof of concept.
Posted by: Mike Treder, CRN | June 23, 2006 at 07:58 PM