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Updated: Oct 10, 2025
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Light-driven Molecular Motors on Surfaces for Single Molecular Imaging
Published on: March 13, 2019
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Photochemical Energy Conversion with Artificial Molecular Machines
Leonardo Andreoni1,2, Massimo Baroncini1,3, Jessica Groppi1
1CLAN-Center for Light Activated Nanostructures, Istituto ISOF-CNR, Via Gobetti 101, 40129 Bologna, Italy.
Energy & Fuels : an American Chemical Society Journal
|December 10, 2021
Summary
Chemists create light-powered molecular machines for sustainable energy. These artificial systems harness, convert, and store solar energy, paving the way for advanced nanostructured devices and materials.
Area of Science:
- Chemistry
- Materials Science
- Renewable Energy
Background:
- Sunlight is a crucial clean, renewable energy source for modern society.
- Molecular machines are synthetic systems that perform tasks using controlled movements driven by energy inputs.
- Photochemical processes are utilized in designing molecular machines.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the construction of light-operated artificial molecular machines.
- To explore the potential of these machines in energy applications.
- To highlight new routes for nanostructured devices and materials.
Main Methods:
- Implementing photochemical processes.
- Designing (supra)molecular assemblies.
- Constructing artificial molecular machines.
Main Results:
- A variety of light-operated molecular machines have been successfully constructed.
- These machines demonstrate the ability to harness, convert, and store light energy.
- The studies open new avenues for advanced materials.
Conclusions:
- Light-driven molecular machines offer a promising approach for sustainable energy solutions.
- Further development could lead to innovative nanostructured devices and materials.
- This research contributes to the field of renewable energy technology.
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