Düsseldorf 2007 – wissenschaftliches Programm

Bereiche | Tage | Auswahl | Suche | Downloads | Hilfe

PV: Plenarvorträge

PV V

PV V: Plenarvortrag

Mittwoch, 21. März 2007, 10:30–11:15, 3A

The art of building small, from molecular switches to molecular motors — •Ben Feringa — University of Groningen, Stratingh institute for Chemistry, Nijenborgh 4, 9747 AG Groningen, The Netherlands

The fascinating structures and complex functions present in biological systems offer a great challenge to develop synthetic nanostructured materials with functions controllable at the molecular level. In our body a fascinating collection of ingenious molecular motors make it possible that our cells divide, that we can use our muscles and that the consumption of ATP can be used to generate force and mobility. A billion times larger than these nanoscale protein motors in Nature are the plethora of macroscopic motors that power the cars and machinery in daily life. Inspired by Natural we design molecular systems in which the control of molecular dynamics is coupled to specific functions. Toward the bottom up construction of photo- and electro-active systems the focus is on photo- or electro-chemical switching and control of motion. In this lecture molecular switches for data storage, molecular electronics and nanomechanical devices are presented. Molecular motors stand out among the most challenging goals in nanoscience and will provide the heart of future molecular level machinery. Both linear and rotary motors are shown as well as the principle of a chemical powered molecular motor. Progress in the construction of an artificial nanoscale *windmill park* powered by light and the application of molecular motors to perform useful functions is discussed.