Feringa's wheel

Feringa's molecular motor, often called a "molecular wheel," is a tiny, synthetic molecule designed to rotate in a controlled manner when exposed to light. It functions like a microscopic engine, with its structure allowing it to undergo a series of chemical reactions that produce unidirectional, continuous rotation. This movement is achieved through carefully engineered chemical bonds that respond to light stimuli, enabling the molecule to "turn" step-by-step. Such molecular motors have potential applications in nanotechnology, including targeted drug delivery and the development of nanoscale machines, by harnessing light to induce precise mechanical motion at the molecular level.