Artificial molecular machines have captured the imagination of scientists and nonscientists alike for decades now, given their clear potential to transform and enhance all aspects of human life. In this Outlook, I use a bicycle as an analogy to explain what a molecular machine is, in my opinion, and work through a representative selection of case studies to specify the significant accomplishments made to date, and the obstacles that currently stand between these and the field’s fulfillment of its great potential. The hope of this intentionally sober account is to sketch a path toward a rich and exciting research trajectory that might challenge current practitioners and attract junior scientists into its fold. Considering the progress we have witnessed in the past decade, I am positive that the future of the field is a rosy one.

中文翻译：

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分子机器的未来

数十年来，人造分子机器已经吸引了科学家和非科学家的想象力，因为它们具有改变和改善人类生活各个方面的明显潜力。在本《展望》中，我以自行车为类比，解释什么是分子机器，并通过一系列具有代表性的案例研究来指明迄今为止取得的重大成就，以及目前在这些与其他之间存在的障碍。该领域的巨大潜力得以实现。这种有意识的清醒帐户的希望是勾勒一条通往丰富而令人兴奋的研究轨迹的道路，这可能会挑战当前的从业人员并吸引初级科学家参与其中。考虑到我们在过去十年中所看到的进展，我坚信该领域的未来是美好的。