When it comes to scientific innovation, there are certain breakthroughs that always feel more like science fiction than science fact. The recent news out of Rice University regarding their work in nanotechnology is just such an unbelievable breakthrough, but it is true! Now a submarine exists that is literally the size of a single molecule. Yes, that\u2019s right. ONE molecule. 244 atoms. But that\u2019s not even the most incredible thing about it.<\/p>\n
Rice University is credited with creating the molecule-sized submarine and revealed that this incredible feat of scientific nanotechnology runs purely on light, ultra-violet light to be exact. Not only does it run on UV light it also is pretty fast, running at 18 nanometers per propeller rotation, travelling roughly twenty times its own body length each time the propeller makes a full turn. For a piece of nanotechnology, that is pretty quick.<\/p>\n
Besides being just a really cool gadget, this new little submarine has some incredible potential applications ahead of it. The plan is to eventually use these molecule-sized nano subs to transport drugs and other medicines to precise locations in the body. This could revolutionize drug therapies, allowing for higher effectiveness and greater precision in treatments for vascular, cardiac, brain or neurological cancer and other ailments requiring highly accurate drug therapy.<\/p>\n