NanoNERF: A nanoscale NERF blaster replica made of DNA

Abstract

We used DNA origami to create NanoNERF, the worlds smallest NERF blaster replica (Figure 1). We based our design on the NERF model Maverick Rev-6, and scaled the dimensions down three million times. NanoNERF is planar and measures [~]100 nm in length, with a length-to-width ratio closely resembling the original toy. Here, we describe the design, prototyping, and validation pipeline used to create the NanoNERF. We also discuss potential applications to motivate the creation of future nanoscale blasters with a firing functionality. O_FIG O_LINKSMALLFIG WIDTH=200 HEIGHT=41 SRC="FIGDIR/small/560388v3_fig1.gif" ALT="Figure 1"> View larger version (25K): org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@1d7619forg.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@14a16dforg.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@123b531org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@14cb703_HPS_FORMAT_FIGEXP M_FIG O_FLOATNOFigure 1:C_FLOATNO A nanoscale replica of the NERF Maverick Rev-6 a) Original NERF Maverick Rev-6 toy, b) rendering of the NanoNERF structure in oxView. Gray lines represent individual DNA strands. NanoNERF length: 100 nm; width of barrel: 35 nm; thickness: 2 nm; c) Scan of a NanoNERF blaster acquired in an Atomic Force Microscope. C_FIG