Molecular motors power on

For many years, scientists have been trying to construct molecules which function as tiny artificial nanomotors that mimic those found in biology. In 1999, Ben Feringa built the first synthetic molecular motor – a feat that earned him a third share in the 2016 Nobel prize in chemistry. A handful of artificial nanomotors, about 1000 times smaller than the width of human hair, have since been built.

The full article provides an excellent example of how the scientific concepts learnt at school (like the nanoscale, shapes of molecules an geometric isomers) provide a base on which even the most cutting edge scientific discoveries are built. Teacher Catherine Smith suggests great ways to teach these topics and resources to use. Curriculum links and a ready-to-go worksheet on naming stereoisomers are attached.