Artificial muscle-like function from hierarchical supramolecular assembly of photoresponsive molecular motors

Jiawen Chen, Franco King Chi Leung, Marc C.A. Stuart, Takashi Kajitani, Takanori Fukushima, Erik Van Der Giessen, Ben L. Feringa

Research output: Journal article publicationJournal articleAcademic researchpeer-review

338 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

A striking feature of living systems is their ability to produce motility by amplification of collective molecular motion from the nanoscale up to macroscopic dimensions. Some of nature's protein motors, such as myosin in muscle tissue, consist of a hierarchical supramolecular assembly of very large proteins, in which mechanical stress induces a coordinated movement. However, artificial molecular muscles have often relied on covalent polymer-based actuators. Here, we describe the macroscopic contractile muscle-like motion of a supramolecular system (comprising 95% water) formed by the hierarchical self-assembly of a photoresponsive amphiphilic molecular motor. The molecular motor first assembles into nanofibres, which further assemble into aligned bundles that make up centimetre-long strings. Irradiation induces rotary motion of the molecular motors, and propagation and accumulation of this motion lead to contraction of the fibres towards the light source. This system supports large-amplitude motion, fast response, precise control over shape, as well as weight-lifting experiments in water and air.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)132-138
Number of pages7
JournalNature Chemistry
Volume10
Issue number2
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Feb 2018

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Chemistry
  • General Chemical Engineering

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