Driving Smart Molecular Systems by Artificial Molecular Machines

Abstract

Biomolecular machines are widely present in nature, especially in complex living organisms, and are involved in important biological processes. Inspired by nature and increasingly mature synthetic technologies, a series of artificial molecular machines (AMMs) that exhibit similar processes and functions as biomolecular counterparts have been developed, and to date, some dramatic achievements have been obtained. Herein, the use of AMMs in smart systems and materials with controllable regulations and interesting functions are summarized, presenting the specific micro‐ to macroscale applications in solid surface modification, transmembrane transport, smart catalysts, liquid crystals, artificial molecular muscles, and stimuli‐responsive polymers. The challenges of developing novel complex AMMs with intelligent functions are discussed, and some potential solutions are proposed.