Nanocrystal Powered Nanomotor

ORAL

Abstract

We have constructed and operated a nanoscale linear motor, powered by a single metal nanocrystal ram sandwiched between mechanical lever arms. Low-level electrical voltages applied to the carbon nanotube lever arms grow or shrink the nanocrystal, virtually atom-by-atom, in a controlled manner. The thermodynamic principles governing the motor operation resemble those driving frost heave, a natural solid-state linear motor.

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Authors

  • B.C. Regan

  • S. Aloni

  • K. Jensen

  • R.O. Ritchie

  • Alex Zettl

    University of California, Berkeley, Department of Physics, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, UC Berkeley; Materials Sciences Division, LBNL; Berkeley, CA 94720, Physics department, University of California at Berkeley, Department of Physics, UC Berkeley, and Materials Sciences Division, LBNL, Berkeley, California 94720, Physics Department, University of California at Berkeley, and Materials Sciences Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley CA 94720, University of California-Berkeley, MSD, LBNL, Berkeley, Caifornia 94720 and Dept. of Physics, UC Berkeley, California, 94720, MSD,LBNL, Berkeley, Caifornia 94720 and Dept. of Physics, UC Berkeley, California, 94720