Скачать или смотреть Making a moving nanomotor

This video shows how we make a nanomotor. We start with minute spheres (about a thousand times smaller than the thickness of a hair) that are filled with water. The skin of these spheres consists of a double layer of macromolecules. The blue parts are soluble in water, whereas the green parts are not. Because of this, the molecules spontaneously form a shell in water. By means of dialysis we then empty the spheres. As a result, they change shape and become dented. If we do this in the presence of very small catalyst particles, these particles are captured within the cavity. Over time, the skin of the spheres gradually becomes stiff, stopping any further changes in shape. The catalyst is now trapped within the cavity of the sphere. If we now add a fuel (in this case hydrogen peroxide), it will be converted inside the cavity, producing exhaust fumes that push the sphere forward. We now have a moving nanomotor!


For more information, see:
Daniela A. Wilson, Roeland J.M. Nolte, Jan C.M. van Hest, "Autonomous movement of platinum-loaded stomatocytes", Nat. Chem. 2012, 4(4), 268–274 (https://doi.org/10.1038/nchem.1281)


Credits:
Animation: ICMS Animation Studio
Music: "Nebulas Night" by Jason Livesay