Harnessing the energy of molecular recognition in a nanomachine having a photochemical on/off switch

A molecular machine is described where the work output resulting from molecular recognition is harnessed to constrain the geometry of an amide bond. A more advanced form of device exists as two isomers are interconverted photochemically, but only one of the isomers display the molecular recognition and performs the work, so the photoisomerization turns the machine on and off.