Back to results
US 11,174,161 B2Granted
Molecular motor
AssigneeKim Eric Dexler
InventorKim Eric Drexler
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
There is disclosed a microscale or nanoscale stepper motor in which one or more arrays of corresponding types of optically switchable molecular actuators are used to drive progressive motion between bodies of the motor.
Claims42
A motor comprising:
- first and second bodies in confrontation with each other;
- and
- at least a first array and a second array of different corresponding types of optically switchable molecular actuator, each array being fixed on one of the first and second bodies,
- for each type of molecular actuator, the molecular actuators of that type being optically switchable together between at least two different molecular states so as to change their state of interaction with the other of the bodies,
- the molecular actuators of each type being optically switchable substantially independently from each other such that repeated sequential optical switching of both the first and second arrays provides a motor action to drive progressive movement of the first and second bodies relative to each other.
2 more elements
A method comprising:
- providing first and second bodies in confrontation with each other and
- at least two arrays of a different corresponding type of optically switchable molecular actuator, each array being fixed on one of the first and second bodies, and
- providing repeated sequential independent optical switching of the molecular actuators of each type to provide progressive movement of the first and second bodies relative to each other.
A method comprising:
- disposing at least first and second arrays of different corresponding types of optically switchable molecular actuators between opposing bodies;
- and
- supplying a repeated sequence of optical signals which switch the molecular actuators so as to provide a progressive motor action between the bodies.
A method of operating a nanoscale stepper motor comprising using at least two different molecules, each of which is switchable between at least two different states by a corresponding control signal, as molecular actuators in the nanoscale stepper motor.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.