Molecular Devices: An Introduction to Technomimetics and its Biological Applications

Comprehensive look at mechanical molecular devices that mimic the behavior of man–made devices 

Molecular devices and molecular machines are individual molecules and molecular systems capable of providing valuable device–like functions. Many of them have distinct conventional prototypes and therefore can be identified as technomimetic molecules.  The last decade has seen an increasing rate of practical applications of molecular devices and machines, primarily in biomedical and material science fields.

Molecular devices: An Introduction to Technomimetics and its Biological Applications focuses on mechanical molecular devices, including the early set of technomimetic molecules. Topics covered include the many simple molecular devices such as container compounds, gearing systems, belts and tubes, and tweezers. It touches upon each molecular machine and discusses in great detail the importance of their applications as well as the latest progress in the fields of chemistry, physics, and biotechnology.

Interdisciplinary: Must–have content for physicists, chemists, and biologists Comprehensive: Details an extensive set of mechanical technomimetic molecular devices Thorough: Starts with the fundamental material characterization and finishes with real–world device application

Molecular devices: An Introduction to Technomimetics and its Biological Applications is an important book for graduate students, researchers, scientists, and engineers in the fields of chemistry, materials science, molecular physics, engineering, biotechnology, and molecular medicine.

Chapter 1: Introduction

1.1. Technomimetics

1.2. Examples of technomimetic molecules

1.3. Manufacturing of technomimetic molecules

1.4. Scope of the book

1.5. References

Chapter 2: Container Compounds

2.1. Introduction

2.2. Cavitands

2.3. Deep cavitands

2.4. Bis–cavitands

2.5. Clamshell–shaped molecular containers

2.6. Hemicarcerands

2.7. Cryptophanes

2.8. Carcerands

2.9. Reversible carcerands

2.10. Spheriphanes

2.11. Fullerenes

2.12. Applications

2.13. References

Chapter 3: Molecular gearing systems

3.1. Introduction

3.2. Bevel molecular gears

3.3. Spur molecular gears

3.4. Organometallic gears

3.5. Molecular brakes

3.6. Molecular ratchets and motors

3.7. Applications

3.8. References

Chapter 4: Molecular belts and tubes

4.1. Introduction

4.2. True belts

4.3. Pseudobelts

4.4. Cucurbiturils

4.5. Möbius and other twisted belts

4.6. Applications

4.7. References

Chapter 5: Molecular tweezers

5.1. Introduction

5.2. Flexible molecular tweezers

5.3. Conformationally restricted molecular tweezers

5.4. Rigid molecular tweezers

5.5. Claw grabbers, grippers, and flytraps

5.6. Applications

5.7. References

Chapter 6: Concluding Remarks

Andrei A. Gakh, PhD, is currently engaged in research on bio– and technomimetic molecules, artificial intelligence, and fluorine chemistry. He has published more than 200 peer–reviewed research papers, reviews, scientific reports, patents, and one book.