2.3 Biomimetic Movement

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Figure 2.13: The movement of the two rings on the rotaxane in Figure 2.12 is detected by the deflection of

the AFM cantilever [29]. (a) Initial cycles, (b) after 20 cycles.

Figure 2.14: Linear movement with a pseudo-

rotaxane dimer (adapted from [30]).

In another system, self-assembled asymmetric polymer particles are being propelled

via enzymes and a chemical potential (Figure 2.16) [33]. Asymmetric polymer particles

(“polymersomes”) are self-assembled and incorporate enzymes. In this example, glucose

oxidase is combined with catalase. When the substrate, glucose, is introduced, glucose

oxidase produces hydrogen peroxide, which in turn is the substrate for catalase, which