Skip to main content

Rice University chemists harness light to power fast, single-molecule submarine

The now-classic science fiction movie Fantastic Voyage is becoming more like science and less like fiction thanks to the work of Rice University chemist James Tour. Scientists led by Tour at the university are making progress toward a nanoscale submersible vehicle that potentially could be used for drug delivery and other medical purposes. Tour is known for his expertise with molecular machines, having created a the world’s first nanocar a decade ago.

Designed by Tour and his team of student researchers, the single-molecule sub is built using 244 atoms. It is capable of swimming through a fluid with a tail-like propeller that spins at more than 1 million RPM. Each full revolution of the propeller moves the submersible forward by 18 nanometers, which equates to a speed of one inch per second. Though slow compared to other larger vehicles, that speed is breakneck for molecular-level machines.

Recommended Videos

The motor in the nanoscale submersible is powered by ultraviolet light, which causes the double bond holding the rotor to the body of the sub to break into a single bond. This breakage cases the rotor to turn a quarter turn. The motor, by returning to its normal lower energy state, turns the rotor another quarter turn. This turning process continues as long as the sub is exposed to UV light. Though the sub moves easily through liquids, its does so randomly as the rotor mechanism is not designed for steering.

To help measure the movement of the submersible, the researchers partnered with professor Gufeng Wang at North Carolina State University. The team of researchers used a custom confocal fluorescence microscope to track the sub as it traveled through a solution. The researchers flooded the sub with UV light to provide enough power for movement, and a laser to light up the sub’s pontoons, which fluoresce red when excited by a laser. Using this setup, the Rice team was able to analyze the movement of one single-molecule sub at a time. The Rice researchers published their work in the journal Nano Letters.

Now that they have proven their submersible vehicle can move efficiently, the Rice team is ready to expand upon this breakthrough. “This is the first step, and we’ve proven the concept. Now we need to explore opportunities and potential applications,” said lead author and Rice graduate student Victor García-López. “There’s a way forward.” One such forward-looking use could be the adaptation of the sub for drug delivery to targeted parts of the body.

Kelly Hodgkins
Kelly's been writing online for ten years, working at Gizmodo, TUAW, and BGR among others. Living near the White Mountains of…
The Ioniq 5 is once again eligible for the $7,500 tax credit
2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5

After a brief and confusing absence, the Hyundai Ioniq 5 is once again eligible for the full $7,500 federal tax credit — and this time, it's sticking around (at least for now). So, what happened? Let’s unpack the ride.

The Ioniq 5, a sleek and tech-savvy electric crossover, initially made headlines not just for its design, but for being built at Hyundai’s brand-new Metaplant in Georgia. That domestic assembly qualified it for the EV tax credit under the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), which requires vehicles to be made in North America with batteries sourced from trade-friendly countries. But early in 2025, the Ioniq 5 vanished from the list. Why? Likely due to its battery packs, which were then still being sourced from SK On’s Hungarian facility.

Read more
Sebastian Stan lays out Bucky’s future after Thunderbolts
Sebastian Stan in Thunderbolts.

There are some spoilers ahead for the ending of Marvel's Thunderbolts. Stop reading now if you don't want to be spoiled.

Earlier this year, Captain America: Brave New World briefly introduced a new direction for James "Bucky" Barnes, a character Sebastian Stan has been playing since 2011 in Captain America: The First Avenger. In Brave New World, the former Winter Soldier apparently retired from being a reformed hero and went into politics by running for Congress. Thunderbolts reveals that Bucky won his election to the House of Representatives. But his stay in Congress was short.

Read more
Jeep Compass EV breaks cover—but will it come to the U.S.?
jeep compass ev us newjeepcompassfirsteditionhawaii  4

Jeep just pulled the wraps off the all-new Compass EV, and while it’s an exciting leap into the electric future, there's a catch—it might not make it to the U.S. anytime soon.
This is a brand new electric version of the Jeep Compass, and being built on Stellantis' STLA platform—the same architecture underpinning models like the Peugeot E-3008 and E-5008—it looks much slicker and packs a lot more inside than previous versions of the Compass.
Let’s start with what’s cool: the new Compass EV is packing up to 404 miles of range on a single charge, a 74 kWh battery, and fast-charging that gets you from 20% to 80% in about 30 minutes. Not bad for a compact SUV with Jeep's badge on the nose.
There are two versions: a front-wheel-drive model with 213 horsepower and a beefier all-wheel-drive version with 375 horsepower. That AWD setup isn’t just for looks—it can handle 20% inclines even without front traction, and comes with extra ground clearance and better off-road angles. In short, it’s still a Jeep.
The design's been refreshed too, and inside you’ll find the kind of tech and comfort you’d expect in a modern EV—sleek, smart, and ready for both city streets and dirt trails.
But here’s the thing: even though production starts soon in Italy, Jeep hasn’t said whether the Compass EV is coming to America. And the signs aren’t promising.
Plans to build it in Canada were recently put on hold, with production now delayed until at least early 2026. Some of that might have to do with possible U.S. tariffs on Canadian and Mexican vehicles—adding a layer of uncertainty to the whole rollout.
According to Kelley Blue Book, a Stellantis spokesperson confirmed that the company has “temporarily paused work on the next-generation Jeep Compass, including activities at” the Canadian plant that was originally meant to build the model. They added that Stellantis is “reassessing its product strategy in North America” to better match customer needs and demand for different powertrain options.
So while Europe and other markets are gearing up to get the Compass EV soon, American drivers might be left waiting—or miss out entirely.
That’s a shame, because on paper, this electric Jeep hits a lot of sweet spots. Let’s just hope it finds a way over here.

Read more