Chapter 1: Chemoresponsive Materials: Introduction, Overview, Promises

Chapter 1 contains an introduction to the field and a general overview, including the fundamental contributions for the development of molecular machines in recent decades. Different ways for the implementation of recognition and types of switching elements are briefly discussed, including cyclodextrins, calixarenes and cucurbit[n]urils, partially in relation to descriptions in different chapters. The ability of chemoresponsive materials to act simultaneously as sensors and actuators is illustrated with several examples; drug delivery is a major application, as visible in many chapters of the book. How biomaterials based on proteins or nucleic acids, as well as engineered living materials and several new materials such as graphenes, are broadening possible applications is also discussed. Leading references are given for aspects that are not dealt with in other chapters.