Scientists have built an artificial motor capable of mimicking the natural mechanisms that power life. Just like the proteins in our muscles, which convert chemical energy into power to allow us to perform daily tasks, these tiny rotary motors use chemical energy to generate force, store energy, and perform tasks in a similar way.
The finding, from The University of Manchester and the University of Strasbourg and published in the journal Nature, provides new insights into the fundamental processes that drive life at the molecular level and could open doors for applications in medicine, energy storage, and nanotechnology.
“Biology uses chemically powered molecular machines for every biological process, such as transporting chemicals around the cell, information processing or reproduction. By replicating nature at the nanoscale level, we can design entirely new materials with highly specific functions that don’t exist in the natural world. Building this outside of nature also gives us greater simplicity and control over its functions and uses,” said Professor David Leigh, lead researcher from The University of Manchester.
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