Scientists Unveil World’s Smallest Molecular Machine
Researchers have successfully stabilized ferrocene molecules on a flat substrate for the first time, enabling the creation of an electronically controllable sliding molecular machine. Artificial molecular machines , composed of only a few molecules, hold transformative potential across diverse fields, including catalysis, molecular electronics, medicine, and quantum materials. These nanoscale devices function by converting external stimuli, such as electrical signals, into controlled mechanical motion at the molecular level. Ferrocene —a unique drum-shaped molecule featuring an iron (Fe) atom sandwiched between two five-membered carbon rings—is a standout candidate for molecular machinery. Its discovery, which earned the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1973, has positioned it as a foundational molecule in this area of study. The appeal of ferrocene lies in its remarkable property: a change in the electronic state of the Fe ion, from Fe²⁺ to Fe³⁺, induces a 36° rotation of the carbon ...
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