MOLECULAR MACHINES The 2016 Nobel Prize for chemistry was awarded to Jean-Pierre Sauvage from the University of Strasbourg, France; Sir Fraser Stoddart of Northwestern University, United States and Bernard Feringa of the University of Groningen, Netherlands. The three scientists collaborated together in order to create and synthesize ‘molecular machines.’ These special molecules are a thousand times smaller than a hair (measured in nanometers) and are able to adopt a machine-like function once exposed to an energy source. The energy source applied may be in the form of light, hence once the molecules encounter photons (packets of light energy) these molecules work as an electric pump. Research in the field of ‘molecular machines’ was born in the 1980s when Sauvage was able to synthesize 2 interlaced molecules, connected in such a way as to resemble 2 links in a chain. Usually, such molecules are connected via covalent bonds, which involves the sharing of electrons, however Sauvage’s research team linked these 2 molecules by a mechanical chain using a copper ion. Thus their form and structure enables these molecules to move freely around each other, which enhances their function as a molecular machine. Stoddart continued to contribute to the synthesis of molecular machines with the creation of 2 interlaced molecules which enables one of the molecules to jump forwards and backwards, acting as a ‘molecular elevator’ as described by Ramström from the Nobel prize committee. Moreover, in 1999, Feringa constructed the first molecular motor. This motor is compromised by 2 molecules which are able to rotate around each other, resembling 2 motor blades. The function of this motor is stimulated by exposure to an Ultra Violet light source. This motor is not the only creation Feringa has contributed to, he was also able to create ‘car’ like molecules which are able to move. Currently, such ‘car’ molecules may be viewed in motion within a Petri dish by microscopes, such as the scanning tunneling microscope which works at an atomic level. Such molecular ‘cars’ are given the term ‘NanoCars.’
Molecular machines which claimed the 2016’s Nobel prize for chemistry may be of great use to the pharmaceutical industry. These may be applied to certain drugs in order to lessen their side effects; may be used in the future to transport pharmaceutical drugs around the human body effectively to the location required and also pave the way to the creation and use of ‘molecular electronics.’ This would enable the building of electronics from organic compounds rather than from metals, hence contributing to a much smaller device. Other researchers have linked these molecular machines together to form long polymers that are able to regenerate a link in the polymer chain if scratched, leading to the creation of scratch resistant surfaces. Molecular machines may also be used to convert solar energy in the form of light to electricity, and may also have an important future role in medicine during surgery of stroke patients, since they can be activated and deactivated by light. Sources http://www.dw.com/en/chemistry-nobel-prize-awarded-for-tiny-motors-andthe-worlds-smallest-machines/a-35964859 http://www.vox.com/2016/10/5/13171850/2016-nobel-prize-chemistry