``Albuquerque, NM -- A micromachined engine previously claimed to be the world's smallest is now being called the world's fastest electrically driven rotating machine, operating at an estimated speed of 500,000 rpm. The 2 x 20-micron engine links a micropiston engine to a toothed gear only 50 microns in diameter. Sandia called it the first instance of converting linear motion to rotary motion for delivering continuous mechanical power to other micromachines.
Applications could include machines for unclogging arteries and miniaturizing safety components of nuclear weapons.