The latest issue (2) of Chemical Science is now online. Read it for free today!

The issue features a Mini review by Fraser Stoddart and colleagues on mechanised materials, which starts off with my favourite phrase from the whole issue:

‘…mankind has attempted to mimic the natural world—building wings to fly like the birds and fabricating systems to harness energy from the sun like our botanical brethren.’

Stoddart goes on to discuss several synthetic molecular machines that have been pinned down on surfaces to induce macroscale function and motion, then highlights some bioconjugated molecular devices which are capable of harnessing motion.

There is also a Perspective by Katsuhiko Ariga and colleagues, who illustrate how nanoscience and nanotechnology can be accessed physically from the macroscopic world according to three categories: physico-chemical properties,

chemical events and bio-related functions.

There’s plenty more, from nanolithography to lipid bilayer membranes to total synthesis.

Let us know what you think of the issue by leaving a comment below. Don’t forget you can sign up for the Chemical Science e-alerts and follow us on Twitter to stay abreast with the latest developments.