Bridging the Difference to the Billionth-of-a-Meter Length Scale: How to Operate Nanoscopic Machines and Nanomaterials by Using Macroscopic Actions

• Published in: Chemistry of materials Vol. 26; no. 1; pp. 519 - 532
• Main Authors: Ariga, Katsuhiko, Mori, Taizo, Ishihara, Shinsuke, Kawakami, Kohsaku, Hill, Jonathan P
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: American Chemical Society 14.01.2014
• Subjects: nanotechnology; molecular machine; mechanical stimuli; interface; materials science
• ISSN: 0897-4756; 1520-5002
• DOI: 10.1021/cm401999f

Useful materials are generally required at the macroscale in bulk quantities, while nanotechnology handles nanosized objects. Fine functions based on nanoscopic systems operated by applying macroscopic stimuli could become a key process to access nanotechnological functions in our everyday lives. To bridge the gulf in dimension between the macroscale and molecular or nanoscale, we must develop a new methodological paradigm. In this short review, both leading examples and novel challenges of nanosystem controls are described including (i) operation of single molecular machines, biochemical machines, and supramolecular machines; (ii) functional control of nanostructured materials by applying stimuli such as light and heat; (iii) mechanical control of nanomaterials and molecular machines. In the latter subject, the importance of dimensional coupling at an interfacial environment is emphasized.