The Brownian universe inhabited by electochemically-actuated molecular switches may be accessed at the macroscale, allowing us to manipulate the mechanism of structural transformations. An example is a redox-active supramolecular switch that can be activated through both an energy-dissipating mechanism or an �alternate� mechanism that captures high-energy conformations, capitalizing on the pandemonium of the thermal bath. This allows us to create anisotropic flux between supramolecular morphologies from inherently isotropic stimuli, driving the system away from equilibrium. The selective capture of high-energy particles by the electrode calls to mind Maxwell's Demon, and has implications for the design and operation of molecular machinery. 

<i>Diabolus ex machina</i>: The devlish potential of electrodes in nanoscale manipulations

246th National Meeting (2013)

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.

Diabolus ex machina: The devlish potential of electrodes in nanoscale manipulations