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Updated: May 15, 2026
08:40
Light-driven Molecular Motors on Surfaces for Single Molecular Imaging
Published on: March 13, 2019
Molecular switches and motors on surfaces
Bala Krishna Pathem1, Shelley A Claridge, Yue Bing Zheng
1California NanoSystems Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, California 90095, USA.
Annual Review of Physical Chemistry
|January 22, 2013
Summary
This review explores molecular switches and motors assembled on surfaces, detailing their structural, electronic, and mechanical responses to stimuli for advanced nanoelectronic and medical devices.
Area of Science:
- Nanotechnology and molecular engineering
- Surface science and molecular assembly
- Optoelectronics and nanoelectromechanical systems
Background:
- Molecular switches and motors enable extreme miniaturization of devices.
- Surface assembly allows measurement of single-molecule properties and functional coupling.
- Progress in molecular device fabrication is rapidly advancing.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review recent advancements in surface-assembled molecular switches and motors.
- To discuss methods for measuring molecular structures and understanding switching mechanisms.
- To highlight the construction of functional molecular materials and devices.
Main Methods:
- Reviewing literature on surface assembly of molecular switches and motors.
- Analyzing techniques for static and dynamic structural measurements.
- Examining switching mechanisms and functional material construction.
Main Results:
- Demonstrated progress in assembling diverse molecular systems on surfaces.
- Illustrated methods for characterizing molecular behavior in response to stimuli.
- Showcased the development of functional molecular materials and devices.
Conclusions:
- Surface-assembled molecular systems offer significant potential for miniaturized devices.
- Further research into switching mechanisms and assembly is crucial.
- Future perspectives point towards integrated functional molecular devices.
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