Chemistry World interviews Astumian on molecular crystal motors that are powered by light
Dean Astumian, professor of physics at the University of Maine, was interviewed by Chemistry World on a recent development in light powered molecular crystal motors. Astumian, an expert in molecular machines at UMaine who was not involved in the research, is enthusiastic about the progress. “The idea of shining light on a system to get directional macroscopic movement is very intriguing and of potential technological importance,” said Astumian, who was part of an international team several years ago that created a molecular machine capable of pumping rings to produce polyrotaxanes.