Molecular switching on surfaces

Molecular switching has established itself as a key functionality of building blocks developed for addressable materials and surfaces over the last two decades. Many challenges in their use and characterisation have been presented by the wide variation in interfaces studied, these ranging from truly single-molecule devices to two-dimensional self-assembled monolayers and thin films that bridge the gap between surface and macroscopically bulk materials (polymers, MOFs, COFs), and further still to other interfaces (solid–liquid, liquid–air, etc.). The low number density of molecules on monolayer-coated interfaces as well as in thin films, for example, presents substantial challenges in the characterisation of the composition of modified interfaces. The switching of molecular structure with external stimuli such as light and electrode potential adds a further layer of complexity in the characterisation of function. Such characterisation “in action” is necessary to correlate macroscopic phenomena with changes in molecular structure. In this review, key classes of molecular switches that have been applied frequently to interfaces will be discussed in the context of the techniques and approaches used for their operando characterisation. In particular, we will address issues surrounding the non-innocence of otherwise information-rich techniques and show how model – non-switching – compounds are often helpful in confirming and understanding the limitations and quirks of specific techniques.     

The mechanochemical stochastic processes of molecular motors

In this article, we develop a rigorous mathematical foundation of microscopic motors. The main characteristic is the combination of Brownian and Poisson noises.     

Untersuchung der tribologischen Eigenschaften von Nutzfahrzeugmotoren unter besonderer Berücksichtigung der Luftfiltration

Es wurde eine unter Betriebsverhältnissen anwendbare Prüfmethode für die Bestimmung der Verschleβeigenschaften von Verbrennungsmotoren mit Hilfe der Gammaspektrometrie der neutronenaktivierten Verschleiβprodukte ausgearbeitet und die die Lebensdauer begrenzende Wirkung des abrasiven Verschleiβes festgestellt. Durch Verbesserung der Luftfilterung konnte die potentielle Lebensdauer der Motoren gut angenähert, und es konnten die Verunreinigung des Schmieröls vermindert und die Dauer der Ölwechselperiode verdoppelt werden.     

Tagungsberichte

Es wurde eine X-X-Fluoreszensmethode (mit einer 30-mCi-²³⁸ Pu-Anregungsquelle und einem Proportionalzähler) zur Bestimmung von eisenhaltigen Verschleiβteilchen in Schmierölen für Schiffsmotoren erarbeitet. Die Methode ermöglicht eine schnelle Abschātzung des Verschleiβes von Miotorteilen. Die Empfindlichkeit der Methode beträgt ca. 0,005% Fe, der mittlere Fehler (nach dem Student-Test bei einer Zuverlässigkeit von 0,95) ca. ±5%.     

Optimization of travelling wave ultrasonic motors using a three-dimensional analysis of the contact mechanism at the stator–rotor interface

The present paper investigates optimization rules and new design methodologies dealing with the contact mechanics in rotative travelling wave ultrasonic motors (TWUM). The proposed approaches focus on the design of the rotor, including the friction layer that is usually deposited onto its lower surface, while the stator is supposed to be preliminary designed. Contact aspects such as the transmission of mechanical power as well as the wear mechanism of the friction layer are investigated, according to the analysis of the stator–rotor contact mechanics in both hoop and radial directions. Considering a classical wear criterion in a preliminary step, a contact ratio, that allows the mechanical power to be optimized, is pointed out in the hoop direction. In a further step, the contact conditions in the radial direction are improved through the elastic fitting of the stator and rotor radial deflexions, therefore allowing the material's wear to be decreased. Some experimental tests, that have been recently performed, give a comparison of wear marks, which occur onto optimal and non-optimal rotor geometries. A first mechanism synthesis is finally proposed in such a way to allow the mechanical architecture of the rotor (including the friction layer) to be automatically designed according to a given set of mechanical constraints.     

分子马达与布朗马达

综述了有关分子马达,主要是肌球蛋白马达和动蛋白马达的实验研究进展情况,并对理论模型,特别是近年来广为流行的布朗马达模型作了介绍和评论。最后展望了这一领域的发展前景及其所面临的挑战性问题。     

Motion of Enzyme‐Powered Microshell Motors

Microshells are attractive in constructing bubble‐propelled micromotors due to the lower energy consumption for bubbles forming on a concave surface. In this work, enzyme‐powered microshell motors were fabricated on multimetallic (Au/Ag/Au) microshells along with the modification of catalase on its concave surface. The catalase triggered the decomposition of hydrogen peroxide to oxygen gas, hence propelling the autonomous motion of microshell motors. A size‐dependent motion behaviour was observed for the microshell motors in the form of slow tremble and fast translation motion for a size smaller and larger than 5 μm, respectively, according to the size, generation efficiency and ejection mechanism of bubbles and the intensity of Brownian motion. In addition, the effect of fuel concentration on the motion speed of microshells was dependent on whether the bubble generation was affected by the limited mass transfer in the microshell space. These findings play an important role for the design of microshell motors.     

Collective alignment of polar filaments by molecular motors

We study the alignment of polar biofilaments, such as microtubules and actin, subject to the action of multiple molecular motors attached simultaneously to more than one filament. Focusing on a paradigm model of only two filaments interacting with multiple motors, we were able to investigate in detail the alignment dynamics. While almost no alignment occurs in the case of a single motor, the filaments become rapidly aligned due to the collective action of the motors. Our analysis shows that the alignment time is governed by the number of bound motors and the magnitude of the motors’ stepping fluctuations. We predict that the time scale of alignment is in the order of seconds, much faster than that reported for passive crosslink-induced bundling. In vitro experiments on the alignment of microtubules by multiple-motor covered beads are in qualitative agreement. We also discuss another mode of fast alignment of filaments, namely the cooperation between motors and passive crosslinks.