Cool Science Image

Step right up, folks! You'll love this week's Cool Science Image. It's THE SMALLEST MACHINE YOU'VE EVER SEEN demonstrated by THE MIGHTY SPIDER MITE. The scientists at Sandia National Laboratories have been working for years to develop MEMS (MicroElectroMechanical Systems) or, more simply, micromachines. These MEMS are made up of microparts: engines, gears and transmissions. The 227K QuickTime clip shows that Sandia MEMS motors can rotate large wheels and drive a substantial load (the spider mite), all at very high speeds. For more on the future uses of micromachines, check this out.

Take a close look at that gear--the wheel-looking thing with the spokes. Would you believe it if we told you each of those gear teeth is approximately the size of a human red blood cell? That's microscopic, folks. The mite is estimated to be one hundred times the weight of the gear -- a heavy load indeed, relatively.

Future wheels may include spider mite handrails.

Movie courtesy Sandia National Laboratories, S&T Department, SUMMiT Technologies.


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			Mite-y Micro Machine Step right up, folks! You'll love this week's Cool Science Image. It's THE SMALLEST MACHINE YOU'VE EVER SEEN demonstrated by THE MIGHTY SPIDER MITE. The scientists at Sandia National Laboratories have been working for years to develop MEMS (MicroElectroMechanical Systems) or, more simply, micromachines. These MEMS are made up of microparts: engines, gears and transmissions. The 227K QuickTime clip shows that Sandia MEMS motors can rotate large wheels and drive a substantial load (the spider mite), all at very high speeds. For more on the future uses of micromachines, check this out. Take a close look at that gear--the wheel-looking thing with the spokes. Would you believe it if we told you each of those gear teeth is approximately the size of a human red blood cell? That's microscopic, folks. The mite is estimated to be one hundred times the weight of the gear -- a heavy load indeed, relatively. Future wheels may include spider mite handrails. Movie courtesy Sandia National Laboratories, S&T Department, SUMMiT Technologies.