Premium
From Molecular Machines to Stimuli‐Responsive Materials
Author(s) -
Moulin Emilie,
Faour Lara,
CarmonaVargas Christian C.,
Giuseppone Nicolas
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
advanced materials
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 10.707
H-Index - 527
eISSN - 1521-4095
pISSN - 0935-9648
DOI - 10.1002/adma.201906036
Subject(s) - interfacing , molecular machine , nanotechnology , materials science , molecular motor , electronics , computer science , nanoscopic scale , work (physics) , multiscale modeling , interface (matter) , exploit , mechanical engineering , engineering , chemistry , computational chemistry , computer security , capillary number , capillary action , computer hardware , electrical engineering , composite material
Artificial molecular machines are able to produce and exploit precise nanoscale actuations in response to chemical or physical triggers. Recent scientific efforts have been devoted to the integration, orientation, and interfacing of large assemblies of molecular machines in order to harness their collective actuations at larger length scale and up to the generation of macroscopic motions. Making use of such “hierarchical mechanics” represents a fundamentally new approach for the conception of stimuli‐responsive materials. Furthermore, because some molecular machines can function as molecular motors—which are capable of cycling a unidirectional motion out of thermodynamic equilibrium and progressively increasing the work delivered to their environment—one can expect unique opportunities to design new kinds of mechanically active materials and devices capable of autonomous behavior when supplied by an external source of energy. Recently reported achievements are summarized, including the integration of molecular machines at surfaces and interfaces, in 3D self‐assembled materials, as well as in liquid crystals and polymer materials. Their detailed functioning principles as well as their functional properties are discussed along with their potential applications in various domains such as sensing, drug delivery, electronics, optics, plasmonics, and mechanics.