Illustration from Scientific Research

Pumps store energy as an out-of-equilibrium gradient. Mechanically interlocked molecules have been used as (i) open pumps, where macrocycles are pumped onto a collection thread, or (ii) closed pumps, where the distribution of the macrocycle along the thread is driven away from equilibrium. (iii) Closed pumps where the population distribution of rotational conformers can be drive out of equilibrium. (iv) Pumps can operate across membranes, pumping substrates (molecules or ions) against a concentration gradient.

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