Light-powered micromotor driven by geometry-assisted, asymmetric photon-heating and subsequent gas convection
Abstract
We report on the design, fabrication, and analysis of a light-driven micromotor. The micromotor was created from a nanoporous polymer with close-packed gold nanoparticles which generate heat by absorbing light. The blades of the micromotor were curved, forming convex and concave sides. Upon lateral irradiation, by geometric effect the convex side transfers more photon-generated heat to the surrounding gas molecules, causing a convective motion of gas and leading to the rotation of the micromotor. The light-driven motions of gas molecules were analyzed using molecular dynamics modeling.
- Publication:
-
Applied Physics Letters
- Pub Date:
- May 2010
- DOI:
- Bibcode:
- 2010ApPhL..96u3509H
- Keywords:
-
- convection;
- gold;
- micromotors;
- molecular dynamics method;
- nanoparticles;
- nanoporous materials;
- polymers;
- 85.85.+j;
- 84.50.+d;
- Micro- and nano-electromechanical systems and devices;
- Electric motors