World's first artificial molecular pump developed

Scientists have developed the first man-made molecular pump which is capable to transport key proteins to cells for its functioning and can be used to power artificial muscles.
This system on carrier proteins was modeled by J. Fraser Stoddart and coworkers at Northwestern University. This system basically can pump ions, electrons, protons or molecules across membranes of cells to produce energy.
How it works?

• The new machine mimics the pumping mechanism of life-sustaining proteins.
• These proteins can move small molecules around living cells to metabolize and store energy from food.
• The energy stored in their pump will power artificial muscles and other molecular machines.
• It should be noted that the artificial pump draws power from chemical reactions and drive molecules step-by step from a low-energy state to a high-energy state, far away from equilibrium.

Month: Current Affairs - May, 2015