Organic Supramolecular Chemistry: A Research Programme on Synthetic Molecular Motors and Machines
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Edinburgh
Department Name: Sch of Chemistry
Abstract
Perhaps the best way to appreciate the technological potential of controlled molecular-level motion it is to recognise that nanomotors and molecular-level machines lie at the heart of every significant biological process. Over billions of years of evolution Nature has not repeatedly chosen this solution for achieving complex task performance without good reason. In stark contrast to biology, none of mankind's fantastic myriad of present day technologies exploit controlled molecular-level motion in any way at all: every catalyst, every material, every polymer, every pharmaceutical, every chemical reagent, all function exclusively through their static or equilibrium dynamic properties. When we learn how to build artificial structures that can control and exploit molecular level motion, and interface their effects directly with other molecular-level substructures and the outside world, it will potentially impact on every aspect of functional molecule and materials design. An improved understanding of physics and biology will surely follow.The Leigh group are one of the world leaders in the design and construction of artificial molecular motors and synthetic molecular machine systems. As well as having prepared some of the first synthetic motors and functional machine molecules, they have explained in chemical terms the concept of ratcheting and introduced it as a design concept for synthetic molecular motor systems. This is a fundamental tool that, once fully explored and mastered, will allow scientists to drive chemical systems away from equilibrium in a controlled manner. This research programme seeks to expand and exploit our understanding of these systems to make more advanced and more functional synthetic molecular machines, including molecular motors driven by chemical fuels, synthetic molecular structures that can 'walk' down molecular tracks, and artificial molecular machines that can act as nano-robots, synthesizing complex polymers of a particular sequence.
Planned Impact
It is widely recognised that nanotechnology has strong socioeconomic relevance for all industrialised nations in both the near and long term. It is anticipated that applications of functional nanoscale systems will help reduced demand for materials, accelerate and improve drug discovery, reduce power requirements, facilitate recycling, reduce life-cycle costs and increase miniaturisation. In doing so, in the UK it will help address the needs of our citizens and contribute to competitiveness and sustainable development objectives, public health, employment, energy, transport and security.The main route to economic impact of this work programme will be through the revolutionary advances in synthesis, molecular design and thinking that this programme will bring about.
Organisations
Publications
Watson MA
(2015)
DNA modulates solvent isotope effects in a nanopore.
in Chemical communications (Cambridge, England)
Watson MA
(2016)
An Autonomously Reciprocating Transmembrane Nanoactuator.
in Angewandte Chemie (International ed. in English)
Watson MA
(2016)
Man-made molecular machines: membrane bound.
in Chemical Society reviews
Watson M
(2015)
An Autonomously Reciprocating Transmembrane Nanoactuator
in Angewandte Chemie
Von Delius M
(2010)
A synthetic small molecule that can walk down a track.
in Nature chemistry
Von Delius M
(2010)
Design, synthesis, and operation of small molecules that walk along tracks.
in Journal of the American Chemical Society
Von Delius M
(2011)
Walking molecules
in Chemical Society Reviews
Von Delius M
(2010)
Synthesis and solid state structure of a hydrazone-disulfide macrocycle and its dynamic covalent ring-opening under acidic and basic conditions.
in Organic & biomolecular chemistry
Rijs AM
(2011)
IR spectroscopy on jet-cooled isolated two-station rotaxanes.
in The journal of physical chemistry. A
Rijs AM
(2010)
In trap fragmentation and optical characterization of rotaxanes.
in Physical chemistry chemical physics : PCCP
Description | The project established firm foundations on how to make (interlocked) architectures for molecular machines and control their dynamics. It also provided proof-of-principle demonstrations of how to use synthetic molecular machines for complex task performance, e.g. basic switchable catalysts and the 1st generation ribosome mimic. Please see also the Key Findings of EPSRC Grant EP/H021620/2. |
Exploitation Route | This research programme has expanded our understanding of mechanically interlocked architectures and how to use these systems to make more advanced and more functional synthetic molecular machines, including molecular motors driven by chemical fuels, synthetic molecular structures that can 'walk' down molecular tracks, and artificial molecular machines that can act as nano-robots, synthesizing complex polymers of a particular sequence It is widely recognised that nanotechnology has strong socioeconomic relevance for all industrialised nations in both the near and long term. It is anticipated that applications of functional nanoscale systems will help reduce demand for materials, accelerate and improve drug discovery, reduce power requirements, facilitate recycling, reduce life-cycle costs and increase miniaturisation. |
Sectors | Chemicals,Education,Pharmaceuticals and Medical Biotechnology |
Description | Please see the narrative impact of EPSRC Grant EP/H021620/2. |
Description | (MolMacIP) - Molecular Machines with Integrated Parts |
Amount | € 2,471,095 (EUR) |
Funding ID | 786630 |
Organisation | European Commission |
Sector | Public |
Country | European Union (EU) |
Start | 02/2019 |
End | 01/2024 |
Description | EPSRC Programme Grant |
Amount | £5,324,406 (GBP) |
Funding ID | Title: Molecular Robotics; Grant Reference: EP/P027067/1 |
Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 11/2017 |
End | 10/2022 |
Description | Transmembrane Molecular Machines |
Amount | £1,200,000 (GBP) |
Funding ID | TransPoreT Project ID: 336935 Funded under: FP7-IDEAS-ERC |
Organisation | European Commission |
Sector | Public |
Country | European Union (EU) |
Start | 09/2013 |
End | 08/2018 |
Description | Transmembrane Molecular Machines |
Amount | £1,200,000 (GBP) |
Funding ID | TransPoreT Project ID: 336935 Funded under: FP7-IDEAS-ERC |
Organisation | European Commission |
Sector | Public |
Country | European Union (EU) |
Start | 09/2013 |
End | 08/2018 |
Description | The Daedalus Lecture 2019 |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | The concept of the Daedalus Lecture is that it delves into that grey area between science and fiction and seeks to encourage the audience to believe questionable solutions to everyday problems that may or may not exist. The lecture - open to the general public and aimed at a sixth form level audience - aims apply the basic Daedalus doctrine: think up something unknown but potentially useful and propose a cunning solution that might be, or there again maybe not, flawed. The intention is to challenge, enthral and engage the audience by suggesting outlandish applications of seemingly sound scientific principles. The second Daedalus Lecture was presented by Professor David Leigh on October 8th 2019. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
URL | https://conferences.ncl.ac.uk/daedalus/ |