Numerous research groups around the world hope to emulate nature’s nanotech prowess by building their own molecular machines and switches. Many of these teams are taking their lead from pioneering supramolecular chemist Professor Sir Fraser Stoddart of UCLA. Several of the latest endeavors feature in this special issue of Advanced Functional Materials published to to celebrate the 65th birthday of Professor Stoddart and to coincide with the International Conference on Molecular Machines and Sensors (ICMMS’07) held in Shanghai, China.

Adapted from a press release by David Bradley