Empirical optimization of the multiscale parameters underlying chromatographic and membrane separations leads to enormous resource waste and production costs. A bottom-up approach to understand the physical phenomena underlying challenges in separations is possible with single-molecule observations of solute–stationary phase interactions. We outline single-molecule fluorescence techniques that can identify key interactions under ambient conditions. Next, we describe how studying increasingly complex samples heightens the relevance of single-molecule results to industrial applications. Finally, we illustrate how separation methods that have not been studied at the single-molecule scale can be advanced, using chiral chromatography as an example case. We hope new research directions based on a molecular approach to separations will emerge based on the ideas, technologies, and open scientific questions presented in this Perspective.

中文翻译：

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用单分子方法改变分离科学。

对色谱和膜分离基础上的多尺度参数进行经验优化会导致巨大的资源浪费和生产成本。通过对溶质-固定相相互作用的单分子观察，可以采用一种自下而上的方法来理解分离难题背后的物理现象。我们概述了可以识别环境条件下的关键相互作用的单分子荧光技术。接下来，我们描述如何研究日益复杂的样品如何提高单分子结果与工业应用的相关性。最后，我们以手性色谱为例，说明了如何改进尚未在单分子规模上研究的分离方法。