Nanomotors

A molecular diagram of the team's new DNA nanomotor, consisting of a rotor (yellow), ratcheting platform (blue) and a base (white)

Science

First self-assembling DNA nanomotor runs on electricity

Researchers at the Technical University of Munich (TUM) have developed the world’s first electric nanomotors made of DNA. The self-assembling structures can be activated by an electric charge to spin a ratcheting rotor arm.

Nanomotors quickly move through water, removing carbon dioxide as they go

Environment

Nanomotors could help reduce carbon dioxide pollution in oceans

Climate change has a huge impact on the health of the world's oceans. In an attempt to find a solution for carbon dioxide pollution in the oceans, nanoengineers at the UC San Diego have developed micromotors that can move through water, removing CO2 and converting it into usable material.

Micro-motor powered nanobots have delivered a nanoparticle compound directly into the gut tissue of a live mouse (Photo: Shutterstock)

Body and Mind

Nanobot micromotors deliver medical payload in living creature for the first time

Micro-motor powered nanobots created by UC, San Diego researchers, and propelled by gas bubbles made from a reaction with the contents of the stomach in which they were deposited, have been successfully deployed in the body of a live creature for the very first time.