Surface-Mounted Artificial Dipolar Molecular Rotors

We describe the synthesis, surface mounting, characterization, and operation of artificial molecular rotors of 1 - 3 nm size, attached to surfaces through one post (azimuthal rotors, axle normal to surface) or two posts (altitudinal rotors, axle parallel to surface). Rotor response to driving fields (electric and mechanical) has been simulated by molecular dynamics.