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Artificial motors mimic muscle proteins, opening new paths in nanotech

Scientists have built an artificial motor capable of mimicking the natural mechanisms that power life. Just like the proteins in our muscles, which convert chemical energy into power to allow us to perform daily tasks, these tiny rotary motors use chemical energy to generate force, store energy, and perform tasks in a similar way.

The finding, from The University of Manchester and the University of Strasbourg and in the journal Nature, provides new insights into the fundamental processes that drive life at the molecular level and could open doors for applications in medicine, energy storage, and nanotechnology.

"Biology uses chemically powered molecular machines for every biological process, such as transporting chemicals around the cell, information processing or reproduction. By replicating nature at the nanoscale level, we can design entirely new materials with highly specific functions that don't exist in the natural world. Building this outside of nature also gives us greater simplicity and control over its functions and uses," said Professor David Leigh, lead researcher from The University of Manchester.

The artificial rotary motors are incredibly tiny—much smaller than a strand of human hair. They are embedded into polymer chains of a synthetic gel and when fueled, they work like miniature car engines, converting the fuel into waste products, while using the energy to rotate the motor.

The rotation twists the gel's molecular chains, causing the gel to shrink, storing the energy, much like winding like an elastic band. The stored energy can then be released to perform tasks.

So far, the scientists have demonstrated the motor's ability to open and close micron-sized holes and speed up chemical reactions.

Professor Leigh added, "Mimicking the chemical energy-powered systems found in nature not only helps our understanding of life but could open the door to revolutionary advances in medicine, energy and nanotechnology."