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PI Physik Instrumente - Revolution In Photonics Align LW LB 3/24

The little motor that might

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Hank Hogan, [email protected]

Researchers have built a molecule-size motor powered by light that could be used for such tasks as moving a minuscule object a few nanometers. The scientists, however, have bigger plans: They hope to someday use this or other similar motors to move objects large enough to see, with the energy to do so coming from the sun. Pulling off that feat will present several challenges. The main trick will be getting vast numbers of these so-called “nano-motors” to work together, according to University of Florida chemistry and physiology professor Weihong Tan. “The key,” he said, “is to accumulate...Read full article

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    Published: October 2009
    Glossary
    cell
    1. A single unit in a device for changing radiant energy to electrical energy or for controlling current flow in a circuit. 2. A single unit in a device whose resistance varies with radiant energy. 3. A single unit of a battery, primary or secondary, for converting chemical energy into electrical energy. 4. A simple unit of storage in a computer. 5. A limited region of space. 6. Part of a lens barrel holding one or more lenses.
    fluorescence
    Fluorescence is a type of luminescence, which is the emission of light by a substance that has absorbed light or other electromagnetic radiation. Specifically, fluorescence involves the absorption of light at one wavelength and the subsequent re-emission of light at a longer wavelength. The emitted light occurs almost instantaneously and ceases when the excitation light source is removed. Key characteristics of fluorescence include: Excitation and emission wavelengths: Fluorescent materials...
    light
    Electromagnetic radiation detectable by the eye, ranging in wavelength from about 400 to 750 nm. In photonic applications light can be considered to cover the nonvisible portion of the spectrum which includes the ultraviolet and the infrared.
    nano
    An SI prefix meaning one billionth (10-9). Nano can also be used to indicate the study of atoms, molecules and other structures and particles on the nanometer scale. Nano-optics (also referred to as nanophotonics), for example, is the study of how light and light-matter interactions behave on the nanometer scale. See nanophotonics.
    ultraviolet
    That invisible region of the spectrum just beyond the violet end of the visible region. Wavelengths range from 1 to 400 nm.
    visible
    That term pertaining to the spectral region that can be perceived by the eye.
    350 nm450 nmazobenzeneBasic ScienceBiophotonicsCelldehybridizationDNAenergyfluoresceinfluorescenceHank HoganHoganHuaizhi KangkinesinlightLight Sourcesmechanical motionmoleculemotionmotornanoNano LettersnanomotorsnanostructuresNews & Featurespiconewtonssingle moleculeSolar EnergySunTanultravioletUniversity of FloridavesiclesvisibleWeihong TanYan Chen

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