Hy3M seeks to create new types of synthetic molecular motors - fuelled by energy in the form of light, heat, electrons, etc. - that transmit the effects of mechanical motion from the molecular level through to the macroscopic world. We will (i) develop new methods and mechanisms for controlling sub-molecular translational and rotary motion through manipulation of hydrogen bonding interactions and (ii) find out how to link such movements to the outside world in order to do useful work.

The objective of this focussed programme of targeted multidisciplinary research (it requires developments across the boundaries of chemistry, physics and engineering) is to demonstrate the feasibility of exploiting molecular motion at the macroscopic level in general (the “Big Idea”), using key strategic targets as particular examples (since all depend on the same basic principle, each can be investigated as part of the same programme with results and ideas from one system inputting into the design of another).