Artificial Molecular Motors Powered by Light

The bottom-up construction and operation of machines and motors of molecular size is a topic of great interest in nanoscience, and a fascinating challenge of nanotechnology. The problem of the energy supply to make molecular motors work is of the greatest importance. Research in the last ten years has demonstrated that light energy can indeed be used to power artificial nanomotors by exploiting photochemical processes in appropriately designed systems. More recently, it has become clear that under many aspects light is the best choice to power molecular motors; for example, systems that show autonomous operation and do not generate waste products can be obtained. This review is intended to discuss the design principles at the basis of light-driven artificial nanomotors, and provide an up-to-date overview on the prototype systems that have been developed.