Rice rolls out new nanocars
January 30th, 2009Fluorescent imaging shows models operate at room temperature
This year’s model isn’t your father’s nanocar. It runs cool.
The drivers of Rice University’s nanocars were surprised to find modified versions of their creation have the ability to roll at room temperature. While practical applications for the tiny machines may be years away, the breakthrough suggests they’ll be easier to adapt to a wider range of uses than the originals, which had to be heated to 200 degrees Celsius before they could move across a surface.
The nanocar was a sensation when introduced in 2005 by the lab of James Tour, Rice’s T. T. and W. F. Chao Professor of Chemistry and a professor of mechanical engineering and materials science and computer science. For more see http://www.media.rice.edu/media/NewsBot.asp?MODE=VIEW&ID=12057&SnID=1331289734