Scientists Create World's Smallest Steam Engine

First time accepted submitter Virtucon writes "German physicists say they've built a heat engine measuring only a few micrometers across which works as well as a normal-sized version — although it sputters, they admit. Researchers at the University of Stuttgart and the Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems say that the engine does basically work, meaning there's nothing, in principle, to prevent the construction of highly efficient, small heat engines."

Comments

No engineers involved in this job

[vlm]

Obviously no engineers involved in this job

We've developed the world's smallest steam engine, or to be more precise the smallest Stirling engine

That's kind of a big mistake. The /. car analogy would be like "eh, we built a car, or maybe a truck, whats the difference". Diesel or gas is actually too similar to be a fair comparison. Eh, I bought me a new computer, a PC, or maybe a mac, or perhaps a thomas the tank engine alphabet learning laptop, whatever, its a new computer, or maybe etch a sketch, i donno.

The article also has the most long winded intentionally obtuse explanation of brownian motion I've ever read. I think in this modern post 911 world or whatever pompous rot, if your writing sucks more than 10 units worse than wikipedia, you should be forced to just include a quote from wiki and be done with it.

Re:No engineers involved in this job

[ByOhTek]

From the Wikipedia article, a Sterling Engine can be a steam engine. Given there was not really any uncertainty in their comment, a better analogy might be. Brackets to make the points obvious

I bought a PC [Macs are still personal computers, just a specific brand, usually not called PCs simply because they want to stand out], or more specifically, an Apple. [not all Apple products are personal computers, in fact, most of their market is from other kinds of devices].

Re:Not that small

[Ivan Stepaniuk]

One part of the "engine" is apparently a laser beam. But the laser itself weren't measured in, as it's far bigger than a few micrometers. This kind of engine can't be used in a nanobot or in any practical application if it requires an external laser beam to work.

One part of a reciprocating gas "engine" is apparently an oil extraction platform in the middle of the sea. But the platform itself wasn't measured in, as it's far bigger than a few centimeters. This kind of engine can't be used in a car or in any practical application if it requires an external oil platform to work.