An energy collecting device is disclosed. For example, the energy collecting device comprises a plate layer having a plurality of perforations for receiving a plurality of molecules, a molecular energy collecting layer, coupled to the plate layer, having an impacting structure for receiving the plurality of molecules, and a substrate layer, coupled to the molecular energy collecting layer, having a conductor wire coil for collecting electrons that are generated when the plurality of molecules impacts the impacting structure.

Gravitational Janus microparticle having, a center-of-mass, a center-of-volume, and a nonuniform density, wherein: the center-of-mass and the center-of-volume are distinct. When suspended in a fluid, the microparticle substantially aligns with either: i) the gravitational field; or ii) the direction of an acceleration, such that the Janus microparticle is in substantial rotation equilibrium. After perturbation from substantial rotational equilibrium, the Janus microparticle reversibly rotates to return to substantial rotational equilibrium. The gravitational Janus microparticle may comprise at least two portions, each having distinct physical and/or chemical characteristics, wherein at least one portion provides a detectable effect following rotation and alignment of the microparticle.

A molecular machine comprising a movement part (2) including a first molecular element (4), a second molecular element (5), and a linking element (6) for constraining a relative movement of the first molecular element (4) and the second molecular element (5), and a control part configured to generate an electrical field around the movement part (2), wherein the first molecular element (4) is fixed relative to the control part, wherein the second molecular element (5) is movable relative to the first molecular element (4) in at least one degree of freedom, and wherein the second molecular element (5) is electrically charged such that the second molecular element (5) aligns to said electrical field.

A method of forming a thin film structure involves performing one or more repetitions to form a template on a wafer. The repetitions include: depositing a layer of a template material to a first thickness T1; and ion beam milling the layer of the template material to remove thickness T2, where T2<T1, resulting in a layer of the template material with thickness T1?T2. The ion beam milling is performed at a channeling angle relative to a deposition plane of the wafer, the channeling angle defined relative to a channeling direction of a crystalline microstructure of the template material. After the repetitions, additional material is deposited on the template to form a final structure. The additional material has a same crystalline microstructure as the template material.

A method of forming a thin film structure involves performing one or more repetitions to form a template on a wafer. The repetitions include: depositing a layer of a template material to a thickness; and ion beam milling the layer of the template material to remove thickness less than the first thickness. The ion beam milling may be performed at a two different angles during two different repetitions. At least one of the angles is a channeling angle defined relative to a crystalline microstructure of the template material. After the repetitions, additional material may be deposited on the template to form a final structure. The additional material has a same crystalline microstructure as the template material.

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.

A security device that elicits at least one dynamic response upon acceleration, or upon change of orientation with respect to gravity, wherein the dynamic response continues after cessation of the acceleration or the change of orientation. In addition, the dynamic response can be optical, such that it is visually observable by an unaided human eye. Alternatively, the response can be machine readable. In some cases, the dynamic response has duration of from about 0.01 s to about 100 s, or from about Is to about 10 s.

An energy collecting device is disclosed. For example, the energy collecting device comprises a plate layer having a plurality of perforations for receiving a plurality of molecules, a molecular energy collecting layer, coupled to the plate layer, having an impacting structure for receiving the plurality of molecules, and a substrate layer, coupled to the molecular energy collecting layer, having a conductor wire coil for collecting electrons that are generated when the plurality of molecules impacts the impacting structure.

The present invention relates to a nucleic acid nanomotor. The present invention further relates to a system comprising a nanomotor and a control unit configured to generate an alternating current for rotating said nanomotor. The present invention also relates to a method of rotating a rotor of a nanomotor with respect to a stator of said nanomotor. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a use of a nanomotor or a system as a turbine, propulsion, fluid mixer, energy storing device, machine applying mechanical force e.g. on a system coupled to said nanomotor, and/or in chemical synthesis.