Operation of Molecular Machines in Soft Matter Systems

Inspired by the motion in living organisms, where the collective action of biological molecular machines transforms chemical energy into activity, artificial molecular motors are designed to have controllable motion and responsiveness to external stimuli. These molecular machines, ranging from molecular motors to switches and rotaxanes, offer a spectrum of complex functions valuable for developing adaptive materials at the nanoscale. To fully harness their molecular motion for functional work, these machines are integrated into soft material systems, which possess intrinsic properties to transfer motion. In return, this integration initiates an interplay between the machines and their surroundings. While there is a strong foundation for understanding the effects of the environment in solution systems, most responsive systems are built upon the integration of molecular machines and soft matter. This thesis explores the dynamic potential of artificial molecular machines as they are incorporated into different soft matter environments, including liquid crystals, micelles, and vesicular membranes. The focus is on overcrowded alkene-based molecular motors, known for their ability to undergo unidirectional rotation activated by light. We studied the interplay between environmental properties and the operations of molecular machines within these soft matter media, demonstrating the concept of molecular motors as probes for membrane stiffness. This exploration has inspired further investigation into rotaxanes, demonstrating the transmission of chiral information in liquid crystals, where macroscopic effects are induced by the dynamics of nanoscale rotaxanes.