Creating a Nanoscale Electromotor using DNA Origami*

DNA origami is a preferred method of nanostructure fabrication due to the self-assembly and predictable nanostructure of DNA. A DNA origami water wheel was designed using caDNAno software and simulated inside a solution of H₂O with a 1M NaCl concentration and under a potential difference of 250 mV. Under these conditions, the DNA water wheel was not able to make a full rotation, but it proved that rotation is possible. This would be the first time a functioning nanoscale electromotor has been simulated and would be the first demonstration of the direct conversion of electric field into rotary motion in a nanoscale man-made system. In this talk, I will present the design of the DNA origami water wheel along with the inspiration behind it, how the fabrication method of DNA origami works, and future work that needs to be completed in order to create a functioning electromotor.