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- Title
Macroscopic transport by synthetic molecular machines.
- Authors
Berná, José; Leigh, David A; Lubomska, Monika; Mendoza, Sandra M; Pérez, Emilio M; Rudolf, Petra; Teobaldi, Gilberto; Zerbetto, Francesco
- Abstract
Nature uses molecular motors and machines in virtually every significant biological process, but demonstrating that simpler artificial structures operating through the same gross mechanisms can be interfaced with-and perform physical tasks in-the macroscopic world represents a significant hurdle for molecular nanotechnology. Here we describe a wholly synthetic molecular system that converts an external energy source (light) into biased brownian motion to transport a macroscopic cargo and do measurable work. The millimetre-scale directional transport of a liquid on a surface is achieved by using the biased brownian motion of stimuli-responsive rotaxanes ('molecular shuttles') to expose or conceal fluoroalkane residues and thereby modify surface tension. The collective operation of a monolayer of the molecular shuttles is sufficient to power the movement of a microlitre droplet of diiodomethane up a twelve-degree incline.
- Publication
Nature materials, 2005, Vol 4, Issue 9, p704
- ISSN
1476-1122
- Publication type
Journal Article
- DOI
10.1038/nmat1455