Molecular motor inspired by Archimedes screw spins under electrical current

The short version

• Scientists have built a molecular motor inspired by the Archimedes screw that spins using electricity.[ScienceDaily]
• The spiral molecule was created at the University of Copenhagen, and Weizmann Institute researchers positioned it between two gold tips.[ScienceDaily]
• Reversing voltage polarity reverses rotation, and rotation may raise conductivity by up to 100 times, according to the reporting.[ScienceDaily]
• The reporting does not address practical applications, and its description of a first demonstration is not independently verified.[ScienceDaily]

Key facts

• Scientists built a molecular motor inspired by the Archimedes screw that spins in either direction using electricity.[ScienceDaily]
• The spiral molecule at the center of the motor was created by Prof. Michael Pittelkow's research group at the University of Copenhagen.[ScienceDaily]
• Researchers at the Weizmann Institute of Science, led by Prof. Oren Tal and Dr. Anil Kumar Singh, positioned individual molecules between two atomic-scale gold tips.[ScienceDaily]
• Applying an electrical voltage made the molecule rotate, and changing the voltage polarity reversed its direction.[ScienceDaily]
• Rotation gives access to highly conductive arrangements the molecule avoids at rest, raising conductivity by up to 100 times.[ScienceDaily]

Sources

Outlet counts describe coverage, not independent confirmation. Reports may share a wire service or original source.

• Scientists shrink Archimedes’ screw to the size of a single moleculeScienceDaily - Science