Success story: Graz nano-motor featured in US journal

Double success: Grant Simpson's research was featured in Scientific American. Photo: University of Graz

Grant Simpson and Leonhard Grill made a groundbreaking discovery last summer: a molecular machine that moves in a straight line towards a predetermined target. The popular science magazine Scientific American reported on the research in detail in its December issue.

"Nanoscale Bulldozer" is the title of author Elise Cutts' report on the literally groundbreaking discovery by the University of Graz chemists. The "car", which consists of just one molecule, can move directly towards a predetermined destination and even carry cargo. The discovery was published in the journal Nature at the beginning of September 2023. The popular science magazine Scientific American picked up on the research result at the end of the year and reported on the work of Grant Simpson, Leonhard Grill and their international colleagues in an article.

Dagmar Eklaude

Related news

Molekül-Motoren steuern: ERC Grant für Nanoforschung

Nano-Maschinen praxisfit zu machen, ist das Ziel des Forschungsprojekts AMOS (kurz für Adsorbate Motors: Tricking Microscopic Reversibility on Surfaces). Die große Herausforderung dabei: die Natur auszutricksen, um Moleküle in eine gewünschte Richtung zu lenken. „Alle chemischen Prozesse – wie zum Beispiel die Bewegung von Atomen – laufen im Gleichgewicht immer sowohl vor als auch zurück. Diese Rückwärtsbewegung umzulenken ist fundamental wichtig, um molekulare Motoren gezielt steuern zu können“, schildert Projektleiter Leonhard Grill, Physiker an der Universität Graz. Für sein Vorhaben wurde ihm nun ein ERC Advanced Grant verliehen, eine der höchst dotierten Förderungen, die die EU vergibt. Für die nächsten fünf Jahre bekommt er 2,5 Millionen Euro.

Nanoscience: Uni-Graz-researchers develop novel molecular motors that move with perfect uni-directionality along an atomically defined straight line

Researchers at the University of Graz have realized a groundbreaking experiment with a completely novel type of molecular motor which moves by itself in only one direction. The results were published in the current issue of the journal Nature.

University of Graz develops sustainable and recyclable bio-plastic

Researchers at the University of Graz are developing a fully recyclable, bio-based epoxy resin that could change the plastics industry in the long term. A breakthrough that combines environmental protection and economic efficiency.

Even greener: University of Graz researchers improve the chemical industry

Durable bioplastics, rapidly available medicines or cosmetics without toxic waste materials: chemists have long relied on enzymes, i.e. proteins from nature, as biocatalysts for environmentally friendly production. Researchers from the University of Graz and the Austrian Center of Industrial Biotechnology, together with BASF, have now discovered how they can determine the ideal conditions for production to make it even more sustainable. The results have been published in the journal Nature Communications.