Dynamic nanogates let longer molecules pass faster through flexible pores

A research team led by Professor Shuichi Hiraoka at the University of Tokyo and Professor Masanori Tachikawa at Yokohama City University has quantitatively analyzed how molecules pass through dynamic nanoscale pores using self-assembled molecular "nanocubes" in water. The researchers discovered an unexpected phenomenon: For linear alkane molecules, longer molecules passed through the molecular gates faster than shorter ones.