Swarm robotics on the molecular scale

“An important stepping-stone in developing artificial molecular machines was the capability to control and manipulate molecules. In 2016, the Nobel Prize in Chemistry was awarded to three chemists, Jean-Pierre Sauvage, Fraser Stoddart and Bernard Feringa, for designing molecular robots. This landmark has contributed to the rise of research in the synthesis of molecular robots.  . . . .  Some applications for swarm robotics on the molecular scale include: ● Oligomer synthesis to produce custom oligonucleotides with desired sequences.● Chiral switching to increase purity and improve the efficacy of pharmaceutical compounds.● Mechanically twisting molecules to induce structural changes.● Molecular transportation in areas such as drug delivery, molecular power generation and collection of contaminants. ● Moving substrates to alter product outcomes from chemical reactions.”  MORE

Image Credit:   Phys.org