Programming Self-powered Motion via “Host-Guest” Recognition.

Abstract

Autonomous motion is a defining characteristic of living systems, emerges from the conversion of chemical energy into mechanical work through dynamic noncovalent interactions. Inspiring by nature’s craftmanship in designing motion, supramolecular “host-guest” chemistry has emerged as a powerful strategy for creating synthetic systems that either generate motion directly or build autonomous architectures capable of tuning and sustaining it. In this Feature Article, we discuss how “host–guest” assemblies translate reversible binding into motion across multiple length scales enabling micropumps for fluid transport, nanomotors for cargo delivery, and macroscopic materials that propel themselves through interfacial flows. The key challenges lie in developing biocompatible, long-lived fuels, achieving precise spatiotemporal control, and integrating functions such as sensing or catalysis. Further efforts will likely focus on orchestrating collective behaviors that bridge active matter, soft-robotics and living systems.