A nano-chemo-mechanical actuator based on artificial molecular machines

The success of future molecule-driven actuators most likely lies in the development of artificial molecular motors because of their ability to provide large forces from low voltage inputs while also featuring bistable actuation characteristics and molecular design flexibility. With these advantages in mind, we have developed a mechanical device utilizing the force produced from the relative movement of artificial molecular motors - rotaxanes - in conjunction with a hybrid top-down/bottom-up fabrication approach. This process has produced insight into the promise but also the limitations of molecule-driven actuators which inspires redirected efforts for an eventually optimized new class of multiscale mechanical, optical, and medical devices.