The Power of Tiny Spaces

JACS Au, vol. 6, pp. 4353–4366

Abstract

Confined spaces at the nanoscale  pores, channels, and cavities that alter molecular affinities and restrict molecular motion, orientation and local distribution  are emerging as a powerful design principle for next-generation materials. By tailoring the structure and functionality of these confined spaces, it is possible to control reactivity, transport, and material properties in ways that are unattainable in bulk systems. This Perspective highlights nanoconfinement as a unifying principle for programming function and addressing major societal challenges in energy, water, health and sustainability. Drawing inspiration from nature's remarkable precision in bio-molecular control, we showcase six representative areas in which confined spaces are transforming technology: chromatography, catalysis, nanofluidics, bioinspired pore design, confinement-programmed material states, and data-driven material development. Together, these examples illustrate the power of nanoconfinement as an enabling unifying concept. By integrating orthogonal functionalization strategies, advanced characterization, modeling, and digitalization, programmable nanoconfinement will become a versatile framework for engineering materials and processes that meet the demands of a sustainable and technologically advanced society.

Authors 25

1. Annette Andrieu‐Brunsen corresponding

   Technische Universität Darmstadt

   Affiliation as printed

   Ernst-Berl Institut Für Technische und Makromolekulare Chemie, Technische Universität Darmstadt , Peter-Grünberg-Straße 8 , ,

2. Omar Azzaroni corresponding

   Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas · Universidad Nacional de La Plata · Instituto de Investigaciones Fisicoquímicas Teóricas y Aplicadas

   Affiliation as printed

   Instituto de Investigaciones Fisicoquímicas Teóricas y Aplicadas (INIFTA), CONICET, and Departamento de Química, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Universidad Nacional de La Plata , CC16, Suc. 4 , , ,

3. H. Binyaminov

   Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces

   Affiliation as printed

   Colloid Chemistry Department, Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces , Am Mühlenberg 1 , ,

4. A. F. Denil de Namor

   University of Surrey

   Affiliation as printed

   University of Surrey , , Guildford , ,

5. Maria Fyta Aachen

   RWTH Aachen University

   Affiliation as printed

   RWTH Aachen University , , Pauwelstrasse 19 , ,

   RWTH Aachen University , , Worringerweg 3 , ,

6. Javier García‐Martínez

   University of Alicante

   Affiliation as printed

   Universidad de Alicante , , Ctra. San Vicente-Alicante s/n , ,

7. S. Guldin

   University College London · Technical University of Munich · Nanyang Technological University

   Affiliation as printed

   Nanyang Technical University , , 50 Nanyang Avenue , ,

   Technical University of Munich, School of Life Sciences, Freising, Germany , TUMCREATE Ltd, 1 CREATE Way , ,

   University College London , , Torrington Place , ,

8. Stefan Howorka

   University College London · Institute of Structural and Molecular Biology

   Affiliation as printed

   Department of Chemistry & Institute of Structural Molecular Biology, University College London , ,

9. S. Lamotte
   Affiliation as printed

   BASF SE , , ,

10. Serge G. Lemay corresponding

    Leiden University

    Affiliation as printed

    Leiden Institute of Physics Leiden University , , ,

11. Bettina Valeska Lotsch

    Max Planck Institute for Solid State Research

    Affiliation as printed

    Max Planck Institute for Solid State Research , Heisenbergstraße 1 , ,

12. Shlomo Magdassi

    Hebrew University of Jerusalem

    Affiliation as printed

    Institute of Chemistry, the Hebrew University of Jerusalem , ,

13. C. Plueg
    Affiliation as printed

    Susonity Commercial GmbH, Industriepark Hoechst G875 , ,

14. Sebastian Polarz

    Leibniz University Hannover

    Affiliation as printed

    Leibniz-University Hannover Chair for Inorganic Chemistry: Molecular and Material Science , Callinstrasse 9 , ,

15. Lilo D. Pozzo

    University of Washington

    Affiliation as printed

    University of Washington , , , ,

16. Matías Rafti

    Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas · Universidad Nacional de La Plata · Instituto de Investigaciones Fisicoquímicas Teóricas y Aplicadas

    Affiliation as printed

    Instituto de Investigaciones Fisicoquímicas Teóricas y Aplicadas (INIFTA), CONICET, and Departamento de Química, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Universidad Nacional de La Plata , CC16, Suc. 4 , , ,

17. M. Rehahn

    Technische Universität Darmstadt

    Affiliation as printed

    Ernst-Berl Institut Für Technische und Makromolekulare Chemie, Technische Universität Darmstadt , Peter-Grünberg-Straße 8 , ,

18. A. G. Roth corresponding
    Affiliation as printed

    Nanostone Water GmbH , Am Bahndamm 12 , ,

19. Clément Sánchez

    Sorbonne Université · Université de Strasbourg

    Affiliation as printed

    Sorbonne Université , , ,

    University of Strasbourg , , ,

20. Damián A. Scherlis

    Universidad de Buenos Aires

    Affiliation as printed

    Universidad de Buenos Aires , , ,

21. Galo J. A. A. Soler‐Illia

    National University of General San Martín · Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas

    Affiliation as printed

    Instituto de Nanosistemas, Escuela de Bio y Nanotecnologías, (INS-EByN-UNSAM-CONICET) , Av. 25 de Mayo 1169 , ,

22. Igal G. Szleifer

    Northwestern University

    Affiliation as printed

    Northwestern University , , , ,

23. Kristina Tschulik corresponding

    Ruhr University Bochum

    Affiliation as printed

    Ruhr-Universität Bochum, Universitätsstr , , ,

24. Matthias Thommes

    Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg

    Affiliation as printed

    Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg , , Egerlandstr. 3 , ,

25. E. Toimil-Molares

    Technische Universität Darmstadt

    Affiliation as printed

    Technical University of Darmstadt , , ,