Light-power
August 5th, 2008 by rbanks
Shape-Shifting Plastic Motor Powered by Light
"A polyethylene film made of the special plastic was produced to be constructed into a 0.08 mm thick belt. The belt is then wound around two wheels (with diameters measuring 10 mm and 3 mm) like a conveyor belt. To test if the plastic would be able to move the wheels, UV light was shone on the part of the belt near the smaller wheel, while the part near the larger wheel was bathed in visible light. The test result was successful with the larger of the two wheels registering a 1 rpm (revolutions per minute) movement." 
ExtremeTech
