Fidelity

Gene

Materials science

Robustness (evolution)

Telecommunications

Biochemistry

Molecule

Computer science

Distributed computing

Nanotechnology

Organic chemistry

Computer architecture

Molecular switch

Chemistry

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences

In this paper we elaborate on recently developed molecular switch architectures and how these new systems can help with the realization of new functions and advancement of artificial molecular machines. Progress in chemically and photoinduced switches and motors is summarized and contextualized such that the reader may gain an appreciation for the novel tools that have come about in the past decade. Many of these systems offer distinct advantages over commonly employed switches, including improved fidelity, addressability, and robustness. Thus, this paper serves as a jumping-off point for researchers seeking new switching motifs for specific applications, or ones that address the limitations of presently available systems.

New molecular switch architectures