Harvesting of thermal energy by nanomachines

An oligomeric machine for energy harvesting comprising:

• a first oligomeric module having a first end and a second end,
• a second oligomeric module having a first end and a second end, and
• at least one electric generating element;
• wherein the first end of the first oligomeric module is joined to the first end of the second oligomeric module;
• and
• wherein the oligomeric machine is configured such that in response to a prescribed amount of energy applied thereto, relative movement occurs between the first oligomeric module and the second oligomeric module in a manner causing the mechanical action of the second oligomeric module on the at least one electric generating element to produce an electrical voltage and/or current;
• and
• wherein the oligomeric machine exhibits stochastic resonance and/or spontaneous vibrations in a solution at a temperature when the temperature is in a critical temperature range and the oligomeric machine does not exhibit stochastic resonance and/or spontaneous vibrations in the solution when the temperature is not in the critical temperature range;
• and
• wherein the oligomeric machine exhibits stochastic resonance and/or spontaneous vibrations in a solution under a force load applied to the oligomeric machine when the force load is in a critical force range and the oligomeric machine does not exhibit stochastic resonance and/or spontaneous vibrations in the solution when the force load is not in the critical force range.