Nanoscale industrial robots have potential as manufacturing platforms and are capable of automatically performing repetitive tasks to handle and produce nanomaterials with consistent precision and accuracy. We demonstrate a DNA industrial nanorobot that fabricates a three-dimensional (3D), optically active chiral structure from optically inactive parts. By making use of externally controlled temperature and ultraviolet (UV) light, our programmable robot, ~100 nanometers in size, grabs different parts, positions and aligns them so that they can be welded, releases the construct, and returns to its original configuration ready for its next operation. Our robot can also self-replicate its 3D structure and functions, surpassing single-step templating (restricted to two dimensions) by using folding to access the third dimension and more degrees of freedom. Our introduction of multiple-axis precise folding and positioning as a tool/technology for nanomanufacturing will open the door to more complex and useful nano- and microdevices.

中文翻译：

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迈向三维DNA工业纳米机器人

纳米级工业机器人具有作为制造平台的潜力，能够自动执行重复性任务，以一致的精度和准确度处理和生产纳米材料。我们展示了一种 DNA 工业纳米机器人，它可以利用非光学活性部分制造三维 (3D) 光学活性手性结构。通过利用外部控制的温度和紫外线 (UV) 光，我们的可编程机器人尺寸约为 100 纳米，可以抓取不同的零件，定位并对齐它们，以便可以焊接它们，释放结构，然后返回到其原始配置以便进行下一步操作。我们的机器人还可以自我复制其 3D 结构和功能，通过折叠进入三维和更多自由度，超越单步模板（仅限于二维）。我们推出的多轴精确折叠和定位作为纳米制造的工具/技术将为更复杂和有用的纳米和微型设备打开大门。