Abstract.
The design and development of a molecular system functioning as a prototype of a Brownian motor is presented. The road towards the molecular motor is illustrated with previous attempts preparing other mechanical devices, such as a molecular brake and a molecular ratchet. Thermal and chemical energy are used to achieve unidirectional rotation in the Brownian motor. The similarities of synthetic molecular devices with biological – microscopic – and mechanical – macroscopic – systems and the perils of extrapolating macroscopic principles to the molecular level are also discussed.
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Received: 15 November 2001 / Accepted: 14 January 2002 / Published online: 22 April 2002
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Sestelo, J., Kelly, T. A prototype of a rationally designed chemically powered Brownian motor . Appl Phys A 75, 337–343 (2002). https://doi.org/10.1007/s003390201328
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s003390201328