Intelligent molecules
January 16, 2013
Solvent-induced collapse of an environmentally responsive copolymer (attached to a gold surface and an atomic force microscope tip). The molecule changes length in response to increased salt concentration. (Credit: Michael A. Nash, and Hermann E. Gaub/ACS Nano)
It sounds like science fiction: “intelligent molecules” that react to external stimuli and reversibly change their shape.
But now Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität (LMU) physicists have succeeded for the first time in creating a chemical reaction, using a single polymer molecule, that makes this process visible.
(Credit: Christoph Hohmann)
Dr. Michael Nash and his colleagues placed a self-generated synthesized polymer on a gold surface using an atomic force microscope (AFM). One polymer end adhered to the surface and the other end to the tip of the AFM.
Once the scientists increased the salt concentration of the surrounding medium, they observed that the molecule collapsed gradually.
“In a highly concentrated salt solution, the polymer compound dehydrates and shrinks,” says Nash. “Back in a weak salt solution, the molecule unfolds again.
“We have observed both processes in our study for the first time for a single polymer molecule.”
The new method could provide an important element for nanoswitches of the future and could also be used in biosensors, drugs, chromatography procedures, and other applications, the researchers suggest.
Dr. Michael Nash is with the Prof. Hermann Gaub group, a member of The Cluster of Excellence Nanosystems Initiative Munich (NIM),
Comments (4)
by Dan Robinson
And this is “like science fiction”, molecules respondint to their environment? For me it simply backs up the idea that there’s nowhere to draw clear lines between non-life, life, consciousness and common sense.
by Bri
The classical definition is that life performs metabolic activities. I tend to have a broader view, similar to what you refer to.. It’s more animistic to consider mere particles as being imbued with life.
by high carbfoods
We have known for along time the environment affects plants. Now we have technology to find the bits and bytes of this process. One more step would be, how the very intention of thought intensity by itself alters the molecule, without adding any NaCl, this would be interesting and will shed light on how our thoughts themselves affect single molecules!
by Bri
The synthetic gel was more reanimator like. This molecule is just responding to the dehydration from the salt.