The Department of Chemistry at Pennsylvania State University may have just built the future power plant for inner-human body robotics. At just 3.6 micrometers long, a rod consisting of copper (Cu) and Platinum (Pt) acts as both a battery and a motor. Researchers Dr. Ran Liu and Professor Ayusman Sen both believe this nanomotor-battery could be a different way to control drug administration.
The Cu-Pt rod, when placed in a solution of bromine or iodine (an oxidant), the Cu portion acts as an anode (with oxidizing) and the Pt part functions as a cathode. As the battery discharges, electrophoresis begins forcing the rod to move. In other words, the battery is short-circuited and the current produced is then changed to mechanical force.
The nanomotor effect continues until the Cu portion is completely oxidized. Adjusting the length of Cu changes how long or fast the rod moves. In the experiments, the movement lasted 40 seconds to 1 minute. Shorter lengths of Cu makes the motor move faster, but for a shorter time. The opposite is true for longer segments. By polishing one side of the Co end, the rod will act like a rotor. Making an asymmetrical end causes the rod to rotate up to speeds of 170 rpm (in bromine).
The team's next step is to see if the battery/nanomotor can be recharged or reused. This is definitely smaller than the current alternative.
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