Molecular Robotics

Molecular robotics represents the ultimate in the miniaturisation of machinery. We shall design and make the smallest machines possible and use them to perform tasks. Applications of molecular robotics systems could help reduce demand for materials, accelerate and improve drug discovery, reduce power requirements, facilitate recycling, reduce life-cycle costs and increase miniaturisation. In doing so it will help address the needs of society and contribute to competitiveness and sustainable development objectives, public health, employment, energy, transport and security.

Perhaps the best way to appreciate the technological potential of molecular robotics is to recognise that molecular 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. 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.

If we can achieve the goals set out in our research programme, the main route to impact will be through the changes in thinking in terms of supramolecularl design and construction that it will bring about over a 10-20 year timeframe. We shall seek to accelerate this impact by holding joint one day meetings with other Programme grant (and other) teams working in relevant areas and also by carrying out short pump-priming projects with industry. We believe that the research outcomes will be of great interest for researchers in many fields from supramolecular, organic, inorganic and physical chemistry to materials, nanotechnology and beyond.

Impacts Within and Beyond Chemistry: Programmable molecular machinery has the potential to greatly broaden the chemistry user base. We shall explore linkages with other programme grant teams working to change the way that chemistry is carried out (including the UK Catalysis Hub and the EPSRC Directed Assembly Network) to maximise these possibilities.

Public engagement: The concept of 'molecular machines' is known to the general public, in part because of the 'grey goo' fears of various public figures, and a great boost in public awareness was recently given with the award of the 2016 Nobel Prize in Chemistry for 'the design and synthesis of molecular machines'. Our work programme gives us a great opportunity to present the science facts rather than the science fiction in this field and promote the excitement and significance of creative chemistry to all. Public engagement will include regular public lectures by the PIs and involvement of the PDRAs and PhDs in a programme of outreach activities, including interactions with Schools and at local and national science festivals.