The smallest scissors in the world

Japanese scientists have successfully built the smallest scissors in the world. It is a molecular puller that is opened and closed by light. Researchers say the scissors could help control genes, proteins, and other molecules in the body.

The scissors are three nanometers in length (one nanometer is one billionth of a meter). This means that it is less than 100 times the wavelength of ultraviolet light

Like other conventional scissors, the scissors designed by Takuzo Aida of the University of Tokyo and his colleagues also consist of a central shaft, two handles and two trawls. The team presented their invention on March 25 at the annual meeting of the American Chemical Society in Chicago.

The blades are made of carbon rings and hydrogen called phenyl groups.

The middle axis is a molecule composed of an iron atom sandwiched between two sheets of carbon. These two plates can spin freely around the iron atom.

Handles are also organic structures. They are bound together by the azobenzene molecule. This molecule can react to light. When light is visible on the scissors, the azobenzene molecule expands as the hands open to fold the two blades. When illuminating the ultraviolet rays on the scissors, it has the opposite effect.

Small molecular scissors (simulated by the computer on the right and by an artist on the left) can help regulate genes and drugs in the body. (Photo: LiveScience)

The researchers say their scissors can act like a plier to clamp molecules and turn them back and forth.

"This work is the first example of a molecular machine that can manipulate other molecules by light," explains Aida . It is an important step for developing molecular robots in the future. "

The research team is currently designing larger scissors that can be remotely controlled. These scissors can be used in the human body and are controlled by near-infrared light rays. According to researcher Kazushi Kinbara of the University of Tokyo, "it is possible to reach the deepest parts of the human body."

T. An