Macroscopic transport by synthetic molecular machines

作者：Berna J; Leigh DA^*; Lubomska M; Mendoza SM; Perez EM; Rudolf P; Teobaldi G; Zerbetto F

来源：Nature Materials, 2005, 4(9): 704-710.

DOI：10.1038/nmat1455

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.

• 出版日期2005-9