Directed Reconfigurable Nanomachines
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Glasgow
Department Name: School of Chemistry
Abstract
We propose a scheme to revolutionise the synthesis of nanodevices, nanomachines, and, ultimately, functional materials via the positional assembly of molecules and nanoscale building blocks. Computer-directed actuators will be used to drive (with sub-nanometre to sub-Angstrom precision) the elements of a nanosystem along pre-defined and entirely deterministic trajectories, thereby achieving structures not accessible by mimicking natural assembly strategies alone. Linkages and bonding between the building blocks will also be initiated, modulated, and - in some cases - terminated by direct computer control. Our proposal rests on the parallel development of novel surface-bound, reconfigurable nanoscale building blocks (molecules, functionalised clusters, nanoparticles) and advanced techniques for automated assembly of matter. We focus on the generation of two major and immensely challenging functionalities for positionally-assembled nanomachines: switchable energy transduction and conformationally-driven motion. Our archetypal system comprises the following units: an energy harvester, a switchable/gateable link, and an optical or mechanical output. By arranging, configuring, and triggering these fundamental units our long-term goal is no less than the fabrication of an autonomous, abiotic nanomachine.
Organisations
People |
ORCID iD |
Leroy Cronin (Principal Investigator) |
Publications
Pradeep CP
(2008)
"Bottom-up" meets "top-down" assembly in nanoscale polyoxometalate clusters: self-assembly of [P4W52O178](24-) and disassembly to [P3W39O134](19-).
in Journal of the American Chemical Society
Tsunashima R
(2010)
The construction of high-nuclearity isopolyoxoniobates with pentagonal building blocks: [HNb27O76]16- and [H10Nb31O93(CO3)]23-.
in Angewandte Chemie (International ed. in English)
Title | Brainwaves |
Description | Prof Cronin has appeared on the BBC Radio Scotland "Brainwaves" program, in which he discusses his work, the origin of life, and his development as a scientist. (link below for a limited time only) |
Type Of Art | Film/Video/Animation |
Year Produced | 2016 |
Impact | Scottish audience (but also available on-line) |
URL | http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b070d3yb |
Title | Disruptive Interview |
Description | In an interview for the 3D printing magazine "Disruptive", Lee Cronin discusses his approach of using 3D printing technology for drug discovery and pharmaceuticals, and the digitalisation of the chemical world. |
Type Of Art | Film/Video/Animation |
Year Produced | 2015 |
Impact | target audience |
URL | http://www.disruptivemagazine.com/opinion/disruptive-interview-lee-cronin-regius-chair-chemistry-uni... |
Title | People Behind the Science |
Description | Prof Cronin has appeared on the "People Behind the Science" podcast, where he shared his views on the Origin of Life, and on how chemistry gets complicated, as well as discussing his life as a scientist. |
Type Of Art | Film/Video/Animation |
Year Produced | 2015 |
Impact | inspiration |
URL | http://www.peoplebehindthescience.com/dr-lee-cronin/ |
Title | TED Talk |
Description | The idea is to make a device that could download plans for molecules and create them, in exactly the way that 3D printers can download plans and create objects. He would have a universal set of software, hardware and inks, and he believes all of them, including the ink, could be fantastically cheap. The software would be the product; the materials would be commodities. |
Type Of Art | Film/Video/Animation |
Year Produced | 2012 |
Impact | What would this mean? It would mean that you could print your own medicine. First, his team going to look at drug discovery and manufacturing. If drugs could be manufactured easily, they could be distributed anywhere - even printed at the point of need. If a new super-bug emerges, you could print a treatment right where it breaks out. Ultimately, Cronin says, "For me the cool bit, going into the future, is the idea of taking your own stem cells with your own genes and environment and printing your own medicine." Quickly delivered, cheap, personalized medicine. Does that sound like enough? If not, in the long long run, "You could make a matter fabricator. Beam me up, Scotty!" |
URL | http://blog.ted.com/lee-cronin-at-tedglobal2012/ |
Title | Through the Wormhole |
Description | Lee Cronin and Cronin group research were featured on the latest episode of Through the Wormhole. Lee explained his theory of chemical evolution that pre-dates biological evolution without genes. The episode was broadcast on the Science Channel, and the Cronin Group research can be seen in the first section of the 1-hour episode. (with Morgan Freeman) |
Type Of Art | Film/Video/Animation |
Year Produced | 2015 |
Impact | Large audience. |
URL | http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x2qd2qu |
Description | In this application we aimed to explore an issue which is at the core of nanotechnology: controlled nanoscale motion along pre-defined pathways and vectors. In this work we started to explore liquid-phase assembly, via covalent and supramolecular strategies. This allowed us, by a combination of advanced synthetic chemistry, surface patterning, and nanoscale imaging/manipulation to explore the idea of fabricating an autonomous nanomachine. |
Exploitation Route | develop new approaches to the science discuss the bottom up vs top down issues |
Sectors | Chemicals,Electronics,Energy,Manufacturing, including Industrial Biotechology,Pharmaceuticals and Medical Biotechnology |
URL | http://www.croninlab.com |
Description | Publications, conferences, policy development, setting the stage for new collaborations. |
Sector | Aerospace, Defence and Marine,Chemicals,Creative Economy,Electronics,Energy,Environment,Manufacturing, including Industrial Biotechology,Pharmaceuticals and Medical Biotechnology |
Impact Types | Cultural,Societal,Economic |