Photochemical Energy Conversion with Artificial Molecular Machines

The exploitation of sunlight as a clean, renewable, and distributed energy source is key to facing the energetic demand of modern society in a sustainable and affordable fashion. In the past few decades, chemists have learned to make molecular machines, that is, synthetic chemical systems in which energy inputs cause controlled movements of molecular components that could be used to perform a task. A variety of artificial molecular machines operated by light have been constructed by implementing photochemical processes within appropriately designed (supra)molecular assemblies. These studies could open up new routes for the realization of nanostructured devices and materials capable to harness, convert, and store light energy.

Automated summary

The utilization of sunlight as a clean and renewable energy source is crucial for meeting the energy demands of modern society in a sustainable and affordable manner. Chemists have successfully created artificial molecular machines that can harness light energy through controlled movements of molecular components. These advancements could lead to the development of nanostructured devices and materials capable of efficiently harnessing, converting, and storing light energy.