Nerds like tiny things. There is nothing that exists that we do not want to make smaller: just ask Ben Heck. But sorry, everyone, the tiniest motor ever will be built. And it’s a molecule.
Specifically a butyl methyl sulfide molecule. The way it comes together, it’s essentially a lopsided propeller, with one carbon bonded to one side and four on the other. Run some electricity through it, and it rotates, fulfilling the requirement to be a motor: directed, electrically controlled motion.
This does actually have some practical use beyond bragging rights: it can be used to push fluid through nanotubes. But, yeah, still, mostly for bragging rights.
[ via the tiny motors in the wine at New Scientist ]