Theorists have shown that the forces between atoms in an atomic-scale contact can do work when an electronic current is passed through it, opening up the possibility that current could be used to drive atomic-scale motors.
This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution
Access options
Subscribe to this journal
Receive 12 print issues and online access
$259.00 per year
only $21.58 per issue
Buy this article
- Purchase on Springer Link
- Instant access to full article PDF
Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout
References
Kohanoff, K. Electronic Structure Calculations for Solids and Molecules (Cambridge Univ. Press, 2006).
Dundas, D., McEniry, E. J & Todorov, T. N. Nature Nanotech. 4, 99–102 (2009).
Sorbello, R. S. Solid State Phys. 51, 159–231 (1998).
Cuniberti, G., Fagas, G. & Richter, K. (eds) Introducing Molecular Electronics (Springer, 2005).
Di Ventra, M., Chen, Y. -C. & Todorov, T. N Phys. Rev. Lett. 92, 176803 (2004).
Agraït, N., Yeyati, A. L. & van Ruitenbeek, J. M. Phys. Rep. 377, 81–279 (2003).
Yasuda, H. & Sakai, A. Phys. Rev. B 56, 1069–1072 (1997).
Smit, R. H. M., Untiedt, C. & van Ruitenbeek, J. M. Nanotechnology 15, 472–478 (2004).
Stella, L., Meister, M., Fisher, A. J. & Horsfield, A. P. J. Chem. Phys. 127, 214104 (2007).
Král, P. & Seideman, T. J. Chem. Phys. 123, 184702 (2005).
Bailey, S. W. D., Amanatidis, I. & Lambert, C. J. Phys. Rev. Lett. 100, 256802 (2008).
Datta, S. Transport in Mesoscopic Systems (Cambridge Univ. Press, 1995).
Brandbyge, M., Stokbro, K., Taylor, J., Mozos, J. L. & Ordejón, P. Phys. Rev. B 67, 193104 (2003).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Brandbyge, M. Atomic waterwheels go to work. Nature Nanotech 4, 81–82 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1038/nnano.2008.413
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/nnano.2008.413
