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Engine made of molecules

02.08.2012

PhD student Nick Vukotich and his team of researchers have published a study in Nature Chemistry that revolutionizes modern chemistry. Scientists have been able to prove that molecules bound together can perform mechanical work directly inside solid materials. This may become a milestone in the development of computer technology, since it becomes possible to control the electronic properties of materials at the molecular level. In essence, the phenomenon opens up a new path for the development of molecular machines: from nanorobots to new types of electronics.

The discovery was made during the study of a new material UWDM-1 (University of Windsor Dynamic Material) - a powdered substance that contains rotaxane molecules and a binuclear copper complex. Rotaxane molecules are shaped like a wheel with an "axle" threaded through it. But most importantly, heating the UWDM-1 causes the microscopic wheels to begin to rotate rapidly around their axis. When the material cools, they stop moving. All the details of the tiny engine are so small that they cannot be seen under a microscope, so the fact that the wheels rotate was confirmed using magnetic resonance spectroscopy.

This discovery means that molecules in solid crystalline materials can be manipulated and created from them into solid-state molecular switches and molecular machines based on the mechanical blocking of molecules.

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Green energy will cause a crisis of rare metals 19.03.2012

A study published in Environmental Science and Technology says that the switch to clean energy sources will cause a supply crisis for scarce metals. And these materials are very important for modern industry.

For example, two rare earth metals, dysprosium and neodymium, are key to modern wind turbine and electric vehicle technologies. A large-scale transition from coal-fired power plants and gasoline cars to windmills and electric vehicles could lead to an increase in demand for these two already scarce metals, which, moreover, are mainly mined in one country - China. Demand could grow by 600-2600% over the next 25 years, with today's dysprosium and neodymium production increasing by only a few percent a year.

Today, some governments and industrial companies are expressing concern about the sustainability of the supply of 17 rare earth elements, which are used to manufacture aircraft equipment, lasers, medical devices, and more. Without these materials, it is impossible to continue the development of environmentally friendly technologies and reduce the level of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere to the level of 450 parts per million.

A team of scientists led by Randolph Kirchein analyzed the supply of lanthanum, cerium, praseodymium, neodymium, samarium, europium, gadolinium, terbium, dysprosium and yttrium under various scenarios for the development of the economic situation and progress. They predicted the demand for these 10 rare earths until 2035. In one scenario, demand for dysprosium and neodymium could increase by 2600% and 700% respectively. To meet this need, the production of, for example, dysprosium must double every year. Despite impressive progress in expanding the production of rare earth materials, it will be very difficult to achieve such a figure.

Scientists believe that the crisis can only be avoided by replacing rare earth materials with cheaper and more common ones, as well as by recycling waste.

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