Abstract
Recent developments in chemical synthesis, nanoscale assembly, and molecularscale measurements enable the extension of the concept of macroscopic machines to the molecular and supramolecular levels. Molecular machines are capable of performing mechanical movements in response to external stimuli. They offer the potential to couple electrical or other forms of energy to mechanical action at the nano- and molecular scales. Working hierarchically and in concert, they can form actuators referred to as artificial muscles, in analogy to biological systems. We describe the principles behind driven motion and assembly at the molecular scale and recent advances in the field of molecular-level electromechanical machines, molecular motors, and artificial muscles. We discuss the challenges and successes in making these assemblies work cooperatively to function at larger scales.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 671-681 |
| Number of pages | 11 |
| Journal | MRS Bulletin |
| Volume | 34 |
| Issue number | 9 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Sep 2009 |
Funding
We thank the scientists and engineers in our laboratories whose work contributed to this review. We acknowledge support from DARPA, NSF, AFOSR, ONR, and the Robert A. Welch Foundation. We thank Shelley Claridge and Nate Hohman for their help in the preparation of the manuscript.
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- General Materials Science
- Condensed Matter Physics
- Physical and Theoretical Chemistry