Light-controlled artificial muscles: Researchers develop shape-shifting materials

Researchers at Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU) are scaling individual molecular machines into three-dimensional structures to create a new class of intelligent materials. Led by Professor Dr. Henry Dube, the team is moving beyond the study of isolated molecules to develop complex systems that perform physical tasks. The project aims to produce materials that change their mechanical properties and shape in response to external light stimuli. “Chemist Dube hopes to link different types of these machines into three-dimensional structures that can perform different functions depending on the type and arrangement of the building blocks,” said the institute in a press release. This development represents a shift from traditional electronics toward systems that utilize atomic-level components to achieve macroscopic results. Scaling nanotechnology through biological principles The basic premise of this research is in molecular machines , which are mechanical components consisting of only a few dozen atoms. Dr. Dube has previously developed individual units such as nanomotors, gears, and tweezers. The current objective is to link these components into polymers to create collective motion. This method is modeled after biological systems, specifically human muscles, where proteins slide past one another to cause contraction. By arranging these molecular building blocks in specific sequences, the researchers can determine how the resulting material will behave when activated. Linking hundreds of thousands of these molecules allows them to generate enough power to perform observable physical work. “We also want to create three-dimensional structures to link several molecular machines together in ways that follow defined rules,” stated Dube. “Depending on which different types of building blocks we combine in these polymers, we can create intelligent materials for a wide variety of applications.” Light-pulse control mechanism The team used light pulses as…