Toward Supramolecular Robotics: Molecular Strategies for Adaptive Soft Materials

摘要

CONSPECTUS:The ability to manipulate supramolecular systems has revolutionized materials science by enabling the design of functional materials and molecular machines.In nature, biological systems achieve complex behaviors such as self-propulsion, adaptive phase transitions, and hierarchical organization through finely tuned molecular architectures.These biological functions rely on intermolecular interactions that respond to environmental stimuli, allowing biological structures to self-assemble, reorganize, and function efficiently.Inspired by such mechanisms, supramolecular chemists aim to develop artificial systems capable of mimicking these adaptive properties.However, designing molecular systems that autonomously transition between different structures and exhibit programmable behavior remains a significant challenge.Recent advances in supramolecular chemistry have demonstrated that molecular assemblies can exhibit dynamic behaviors when subjected to external stimuli such as light, temperature, and chemical gradients.These findings have led to breakthroughs in selfpropelled microscale droplets, stimulus-responsive phase transitions, and protocell-based artificial tissues, paving the way for nextgeneration bioinspired materials.By refining molecular design principles, researchers aim to develop programmable materials that autonomously adapt, self-heal, and dynamically respond to their surroundings.These materials hold immense promise for applications in medicine, environmental remediation, and soft robotics.In this Account, we introduce three key research areas that contribute to the development of adaptive materials.First, self-propelled systems demonstrate how chemical reactions can drive autonomous motion, offering potential for drug delivery, environmental sensing, and microscale energy conversion.The ability to program motion at the molecular level enables the design of active materials that can perform specific tasks autonomously.Second, phase transitions between different supramolecular assemblies allow for the design of reconfigurable materials that change properties in response to external stimuli, leading to controlled release systems and adaptive interfaces.These materials bridge the gap between synthetic and biological adaptability.Third, protocell-based prototissues highlight the potential of self-organizing materials that mimic biological tissues, with applications in regenerative medicine and soft robotics.By constructing artificial tissues with hierarchical organization, it may become possible to develop biomimetic materials that replace damaged biological structures or serve as programmable actuators in soft robotic systems.Integrating supramolecular chemistry with molecular robotics will unlock new paradigms in adaptive materials.Future materials will not only respond to stimuli but also process information, change dynamically, and interact intelligently with their surroundings.Achieving this vision requires deeper understanding of molecular interactions, improved control over self-assembly pathways, and the integration of energy conversion mechanisms into soft materials, leading to bioinspired materials that go beyond traditional limitations, enabling innovative applications in autonomous systems, robotics, and therapeutic platforms.Refining the principles of supramolecular design will allow molecularly programmed materials to be seamlessly integrated with both technological and biological systems, redefining the capabilities of adaptive functional materials and developing supramolecular robotics.