Analysis and Design of Protein Based Nanodevices: Challenges and Opportunities in Mechanical Design

Nanomachines are devices that are in the size range of billionths of meters (10-9 m) and therefore are built necessarily from individual atoms. These devices will have intrinsic mobilities that result in their geometry change and hence enable them to perform specific functions. Futuristic scholars and researchers believe that nanodevices will one day be used as "assemblers" in the construction of new materials and objects from inside out [1]; They will be able to "self replicate;" They will be able to enter biological cells to cure disease; They will be able to facilitate space travel; They will be used to clean up the environment; They will be the building blocks of the electronic circuitry and computers [2]. While these claims may prompt profound philosophical and scientific debates for many years to come, they offer humanity with the potential to eliminate poverty, pollution and disease. In the foreseeable future, nanodevices and molecular machines are expected to lead to breakthroughs in technology and life sciences. Impacted industries include Semiconductors (molecular electronics, nanophotonics, memory), Microsystems (micro electro-mechanical systems-MEMS, communications, optical, fluidics, rf), energy (fuel cells, biomimetics, membranes, carbon systems), materials (compounds, powders, polymers, nanostructures), biotechnology (delivery, lab-on-chip, proteomics, genomics) and medical (drug design, molecular medicine).