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Health & Science2h 16m ago

The world's smallest electric motor, a single-molecule motor, which still holds the Guinness World Record for the smallest electric motor today, was developed by a team from Tufts University in September 2011.

Tufts University

Who
a team from Tufts University
What
The world's smallest electric motor, a single-molecule motor, which still holds the Guinness World Record for the smallest electric motor today, was developed by a team from Tufts University in September 2011.
When
Tue, 16 Jun 2026 11:45:00 GMT · 2h 16m ago
Where
Tufts University ·
Why
This motor is composed of a molecule of butyl methyl sulphide, selected for its lopsided structure which aids its spinning motion.
The Frontline Impact

How this affects you

This minuscule electric motor, measuring 1 nanometer across and requiring a scanning tunneling microscope for observation, could have future applications in medical devices to improve fluid flow in thin pipes or for creating tiny mechanical parts for electronics.

Story chain

2 events in this thread
  1. Currently Reading2h 16m ago
    The world's smallest electric motor, a single-molecule motor, which still holds the Guinness World Record for the smallest electric motor today, was developed by a team from Tufts University in September 2011.
  2. Health & Science2h 16m ago
    The world's smallest motor is so minuscule that it requires the use of a special kind of microscope called the scanning tunneling microscope, which is capable of making out a single atom.
    Open article

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