某些活性分子(如分子开关、分子马达)能在外界能量的刺激下发生几何形状的动态可逆变化.科学家们已经学会了把它们组装起来获得宏观的驱动力，从而能够对外做功.但是，单个分子的力量有多大？这一根本的问题还未得到回答.
Some specially designed molecules, such as molecular switches and molecular motors, can reversibly change their geometrical shape when receiving energy from the outside. Such molecular movement enables the active molecule to act as a mechanical actuator. Once orderly assembled in large numbers, these molecules can provide a big driving force, leading to macroscopic actuation behaviors. However, the power of a single molecule remains unknown. The answer to this fundamental question could lead to a deeper understanding of molecular properties and more precise molecular-scale actuators for applications.
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