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A bearing constructed at the nanometer dimensions will have to function differently from the macroscopic ones, which
funtioning is based on bearingballs and lubricants. Both of which are impossible at the the nanometer scale. The designs for nanometer bearings are more simular to macroscopic electromagnetic repulsion bearings.
The atoms constituting the different parts of the bearing (the shaft and sleave) are bonded to eachother with strong covalent bondings. The atoms at the interface between shaft and sleave are experiencing weaker "van der Waals" repulsive forces, this keeps the shaft and sleave positioned with respect to eachother when no load is exerted. The atomic spatial frequencies of the shaft and the sleave are chozen differently to make the periodicty in the van der Waals potential as small as possible. (i.e. The numbers of atoms located at the interface between the shaft and the sleave are selected assymetrical, this will result in a minimized preffered rotational position.) Energy loss is created by electro magnetic interactions at the interface and is being spread by acoustic radiation, phonons and thermoelastic dampening. Simulations have been made of functioning nanobearings using standard chemical simulation software. This software (i.e. the algorithms and aproximation formulas apllied) has already been used by chemists for many years now, and has proven itself reliable. Chemist do not deny that these designs do not work in principle. However a way to construct these bearings in practice is not yet available. Because all atoms constituting the bearing are in the right place, no random atoms are present to disturb the functioning, therefore during normal operation there is no wearing. The most likely cause of rendering a nanoscale part non-functional during normal operation will be radiation damage. |
Schematic example of a mechanical AND switch :
(The output is 1, only if both inputs are 1 )
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