title: Molecular machines: nanomotor rotates microscale objects.
abstract: Nanomachines of the future will require molecular-scale motors that can perform work and collectively induce controlled motion of much larger objects. We have designed a synthetic, light-driven molecular motor that is embedded in a liquid-crystal film and can rotate objects placed on the film that exceed the size of the motor molecule by a factor of 10,000. The changes in shape of the motor during the rotary steps cause a remarkable rotational reorganization of the liquid-crystal film and its surface relief, which ultimately causes the rotation of submillimetre-sized particles on the film.
authors.affiliation: Department of Organic and Molecular Inorganic Chemistry, Stratingh Institute, University of Groningen, 9747 AG Groningen, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Rienk
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Eelkema
authors.forename: Michael M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Pollard
authors.forename: Javier
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Vicario
authors.forename: Nathalie
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Katsonis
authors.forename: Blanca Serrano
authors.initials: BS
authors.lastname: Ramon
authors.forename: Cees W M
authors.initials: CW
authors.lastname: Bastiaansen
authors.forename: Dirk J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Broer
authors.forename: Ben L
authors.initials: BL
authors.lastname: Feringa