Singapore scientists make nanometer two-stroke engine with graphene

When it comes to two-stroke engines, many people will first think of a roaring off-road motorcycle. Recently, Singapore scientists made a nanometer version of graphene, which is one hundredth of a million thinner than hair. The principle of this nanoengine is exactly the same as that of a conventional two-stroke engine, and it is expected to provide power for the next generation of nanodevices and nanobots. Related papers were published in the Nano Express.

Although the design inspiration for micro- or nano-engines often comes from conventional engines, and has been widely used since the 19th-century two-stroke and four-stroke engines, it is the first time to simulate an internal combustion engine on the nanometer scale.

Nanoengines can produce mechanical energy at the nanometer scale, which is the key to the application of nanodevices and nanobots. Graphene is currently the best known strength material, and its special mechanical properties are very useful for nano-engines. This is also the first appearance of graphene in this field.

An article published on May 16 by the Physicists Organization Network stated that conventional two-stroke engines generate high-pressure output mechanical energy by moving the piston up and down. In this type of nano-engine, the piston is a single-layer thick graphene, and the laser acts as a spark plug.

To make the nanoengine work, the researchers added fluorinated chlorine molecules to the graphene. This molecule and carbon atoms in graphene are bound together by carbon-fluoride bonds. When they are exposed to laser light, these ionic bonds will open, causing graphene and fluorinated chlorine molecules to swell, and the surface of graphene will thus form a blister-like protrusion. The pressure is about 1 MPa, which is comparable to the average pressure on the car tires. It is this pressure that leads to the formation of "bubbles."

When the laser is turned off, the carbon-fluorine bond is reestablished, the pressure drops, and the blisters disappear. There is a positive correlation between the size of the "blister" and the laser power throughout the process. In this way, by rapidly switching the laser, the “blister” on the graphene surface will repeatedly move up and down like a piston in a two-stroke engine. This can be achieved thanks to the unique mechanical properties of graphene, in particular its high elasticity and strength.

Lee Jung-sook of the Graphene Research Center at the National University of Singapore, who is in charge of this research, said that the structure of the engine is very simple, does not require special working conditions, does not emit exhaust gas, has a wide range of applications, and can meet the requirements of nanodevices. Various needs. Their experiments confirmed that the graphene engine showed excellent reliability and that after 10,000 cycles, there was still no degradation of any function. In addition, this engine is also extremely energy-efficient.

In the future, researchers hope to improve engine performance by changing laser parameters and switching speeds, and find more applications for them. Li Zhongxue said: "By combining with MEMS nanoelectromechanical systems (NEMS) technology, the mechanical energy generated by our engines will be easily transferred to other devices. In the future, it will hopefully be more nanodevices and nanometers. Robots provide power." (Wang Xiaolong)

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