Molecular Motors and Nano-Pumps to Power Nanobots and Move Liquids Revealed by Korean Scientist

Korea University Department of Chemical & Biological Engineering, College of Engineering, Professor Dong June Ahn (Seoul, KR) has developed nano-pumps including nano-motors that move dynamically in response to exterior stimuli.  They move, for example, in response to photonic energy, electrical energy, a magnetic field, and/or a chemical concentration. The motion of such a molecular sized nano-motor structure can be managed and controlled so as to act as a pump. Such pumps could be used in nanobots in order to perform work. The nano-pump and molecular motor are detailed in U.S. Patent Application 20100056754.

The nano-motor includes: a stimulus receptor; and a molecular piston member attached to the stimulus receptor; wherein the stimulus receptor is responsive to an exterior stimulus so as to selectively move the molecular piston member in response to an applied stimulus. Movement of the molecular piston member of such a nano-motor can be used within a larger system (e.g., a nano-pump).  Movement of the molecular piston member of such a nano-pump can be used to move or compress a fluid within the enclosure.

Molecular size motors, also referred to as nano-motors, refer to molecule sized structures that move dynamically in a nano to micrometer scale. The ability to control and manage the motion of such molecular-motors would provide a platform for building nano-pumps and nano-engines employing such motors

The stimulus which causes the molecular-motor to selectively move comprises one or more of electromagnetic (e.g., photonic) radiative energy, electrical energy, a magnetic field, or a chemical concentration (e.g., which results in a chemical and/or biochemical reaction that effects movement of the structure). In such a way, the motion of such a molecular sized structure can be managed and controlled so as to act as part of a pump system. Such pumps could be used in nanobots in order to perform work.