The Nano-Conveyor Belt, ‘DNA Robots’ and Spinning Molecular Structures

The theory is well ahead of current realities and while some warn that self-replicating 'nanobots' pose an immense threat to humanity, others dismiss the idea as impossible. However, a recent production of a nano-conveyor belt that moves streams of particles rather than individual ones along a nanotube represents a major breakthrough, as does the development of a 'DNA robot' ten nanometres long capable of 'walking' along a pavement also made of DNA. Other significant developments are the discovery of spinning molecular structures, which herald the possibility of power generation and controllable motion at the molecular level.