Conference Prof. Nicolas GIUSEPPONE

Prof. Nicolas GIUSEPPONE

Université de Strasbourg, Institut Universitaire de France (IUF)
Institut Charles Sadron – CNRS, 23 rue du Loess, BP 84047
67034 Strasbourg Cedex 2, France
E-mail: giuseppone@unistra.fr 

Using artificial molecular motors to drive active chemical systems out of equilibrium

Inspired by the protein machinery found in biological systems, and based on the theoretical understanding of the physics of motion at nanoscale, organic chemists have developed a number of molecules that can actuate when triggered by various external chemical or physical stimuli. In particular, basic molecular switches that commute between (meta)stable states, and more advanced molecular motors that produce unidirectional cyclic motions, have been reported. However, the integration of individual molecular motors in a continuous out-of-equilibrium mechanical process that can produce mechanical work at various length scales and up to the macroscale remains an important area to explore.^[1,2] We will discuss advances developed by our group on the collective actuation of artificial molecular motors, which involve their mechanical coupling with polymer and supramolecular self-assemblies. We will show how it becomes possible to integrate them and to make use of their autonomous mechanical work to drive endoenergetic processes in complex systems and active materials.

References

[1] D. Dattler, G. Fuks, J. Heiser, E. Moulin, A. Perrot, Y. Xuyang, N. Giuseppone, Chem. Rev. 2020, 120, 310-443.

[2] E. Moulin, L. Faour, C. Carmona-Vargas, N. Giuseppone, Adv. Mat. 2020, 201906036.