Wednesday, 7th November 2007 (3033 views)

Research into the movement of non-biological systems using tiny gold rods could be applied to the creation of nanomotors, according to physicsworld.com.

The publication reported that a team of scientists at Pennsylvania State University in the US, led by Ayusman Sen, has developed a chemical reaction that makes tiny metal rods move in water when they interact with hydrogen peroxide gel.

According to the research team, the rods – which measure two microns in length – contain gold on one half of their length and platinum on the other half.

When placed in a container holding pure water and hydrogen peroxide-containing gel, the separate reactions with the chemical and the gold and platinum propelled the rods through the water towards the gel through the movement of fluids.

The reaction, called chemotaxis, is now being tested to see if it can be further controlled by light, according to physicsworld.com.

Gold nanorods have a variety of scientific and medicinal applications, including as imaging agents for the treatment of cancerous tumours.

 

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