Abstract
Inspired by molecular motors in biology, there has been significant progress in building artificial molecular motors, using a number of quite distinct approaches. As the constructs become more sophisticated, there is also an increasing need to directly observe the motion of artificial motors at the nanoscale and to characterize their performance. Here, we review the most used methods that tackle those tasks. We aim to help experimentalists with an overview of the available tools used for different types of synthetic motors and to choose the method most suited for the size of a motor and the desired measurements, such as the generated force or distances in the moving system. Furthermore, for many envisioned applications of synthetic motors, it will be a requirement to guide and control directed motions. We therefore also provide a perspective on how motors can be observed on structures that allow for directional guidance, such as nanowires and microchannels. Thus, this Review facilitates the future research on synthetic molecular motors, where observations at a single-motor level and a detailed characterization of motion will promote applications.
Highlights
Molecular motors, commonly referred to as molecular machines, are molecules or supramolecular entities capable of moving without an external force applied
The motors implemented so far have often been designed for a specific function, such as molecular switches and rotors,[7,9−12] transport of cargoes,[13,14] recording digital information,[15] employing quantum tunnelling for directional motion,[16] phototherapy of cancer,[17] controlled supramolecular aggregation,[18] governing cellular processes,[19] and energyefficient performance at low temperatures.[20]
atomic force microscopy (AFM), and Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) are arguably the most versatile methods for detecting the lateral motion of individual motors. These three groups of techniques have already been applied to various sizes of motors and in a liquid phase, which is often necessary for the motors to operate
Summary
Commonly referred to as molecular machines, are molecules or supramolecular entities capable of moving without an external force applied. They achieve this by harnessing a source of energy, for example, in a chemical, thermal, photonic, or particle (e.g., electrons) form. Artificial motors could be an advantageous alternative to their natural counterparts that are currently employed in emerging applications such as highly energy-efficient biocomputing devices.[21,22] It is possible to modify natural motors by adding functional groups to the molecules or by using synthetic scaffolds for the motion of the natural motors.[23,24]
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