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PreprintCC BYChemRxiv

From Rotor to Motor: Dissecting Design Principles for Light-Driven Directional Motion

  • Nils C. Jansen1
  • Romain Jamagne1
  • Johannes Wega2
  • Ludmilla Sturm1
  • Aya Lebrazi1
  • Marion Pupier1
  • Nicolas V. T. Low-Der’s1
  • Céline Besnard3
  • Jasmine Viger-Gravel1
  • Amalia I. Poblador Bahamonde1
  • Michel Rickhaus1
  1. 1Department of Organic Chemistry, University of Geneva, 30 quai Ernest-Ansermet, Geneva, Switzerland, 1211
  2. 2Department of Physical Chemistry, University of Geneva, 30 quai Ernest-Ansermet, Geneva, Switzerland, 1211
  3. 3Laboratory of Crystallography, University of Geneva, 24 Quai Ernest Ansermet, Geneva, Switzerland, 1211
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Abstract

Research on molecular motors continues to expand as increasing attention is devoted to dynamic and out-of-equilibrium chemical systems. Among the different classes of artificial molecular machines, light-driven motors are the most extensively present, yet the fundamental principles governing their directional motion remain difficult to disentangle, particularly for non-specialists. This work applies these concepts in a tutorial setting by gradually implementing molecular features to a base scaffold that turns it from a bistable system into an experimentally observable light-driven molecular motor. In doing so, it demonstrates how directional bias emerges as soon as relaxation of a high-energy state is coupled to a mechanical movement (a power stroke), while the motor performance can be addressed through modification of the underlying energy landscape. In addition, we show a practical workflow for benchmarking new motor candidates along with the experimental determination of their kinetic and thermodynamic parameters. To complement this study, we provide procedures for undergraduate students to synthesize and operate a molecular motor in practical courses.

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Cite

BibTeXRIS
BibTeX
@misc{jansen2026from,
  title = {{From Rotor to Motor: Dissecting Design Principles for Light-Driven Directional Motion}},
  author = {Nils C. Jansen and Romain Jamagne and Johannes Wega and Ludmilla Sturm and Aya Lebrazi and Marion Pupier and Nicolas V. T. Low-Der’s and Céline Besnard and Jasmine Viger-Gravel and Amalia I. Poblador Bahamonde and Michel Rickhaus},
  howpublished = {ChemRxiv},
  year = {2026},
  month = oct,
  doi = {10.26434/chemrxiv.15009860/v1},
  url = {https://chemrxiv.org/doi/full/10.26434/chemrxiv.15009860/v1},
  note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY  - UNPB
TI  - From Rotor to Motor: Dissecting Design Principles for Light-Driven Directional Motion
AU  - Nils C. Jansen
AU  - Romain Jamagne
AU  - Johannes Wega
AU  - Ludmilla Sturm
AU  - Aya Lebrazi
AU  - Marion Pupier
AU  - Nicolas V. T. Low-Der’s
AU  - Céline Besnard
AU  - Jasmine Viger-Gravel
AU  - Amalia I. Poblador Bahamonde
AU  - Michel Rickhaus
PY  - 2026
DA  - 2026/10/05
PB  - ChemRxiv
DO  - 10.26434/chemrxiv.15009860/v1
UR  - https://chemrxiv.org/doi/full/10.26434/chemrxiv.15009860/v1
AB  - Research on molecular motors continues to expand as increasing attention is devoted to dynamic and out-of-equilibrium chemical systems. Among the different classes of artificial molecular machines, light-driven motors are the most extensively present, yet the fundamental principles governing their directional motion remain difficult to disentangle, particularly for non-specialists. This work applies these concepts in a tutorial setting by gradually implementing molecular features to a base scaffold that turns it from a bistable system into an experimentally observable light-driven molecular motor. In doing so, it demonstrates how directional bias emerges as soon as relaxation of a high-energy state is coupled to a mechanical movement (a power stroke), while the motor performance can be addressed through modification of the underlying energy landscape. In addition, we show a practical workflow for benchmarking new motor candidates along with the experimental determination of their kinetic and thermodynamic parameters. To complement this study, we provide procedures for undergraduate students to synthesize and operate a molecular motor in practical courses.
ER  -