Abstract: Disclosed are oligomeric machines for energy harvesting having a first oligomeric module having a first end and a second end, a second oligomeric module having a first end and a second end. Exemplary oligomeric machines are configured to exhibits stochastic resonance and/or spontaneous vibrations and are configured such that in response to a prescribed amount of energy applied thereto, relative movement occurs between the first oligomeric module and the second oligomeric module in a manner causing the mechanical action of the second oligomeric module on an electric generating element to produce an electrical voltage and/or current. Also disclosed are energy harvesting cells having a thermal cell, a mechanical-electrical transducer with at least two capacitor plates, and at least one oligomeric machine.

Abstract: Disclosed are oligomeric machines for energy harvesting having a first oligomeric module having a first end and a second end, a second oligomeric module having a first end and a second end, and at least one electric generating element. Exemplary oligomeric machines are configured to exhibits stochastic resonance and/or spontaneous vibrations and are configured such that in response to a prescribed amount of energy applied thereto, relative movement occurs between the first oligomeric module and the second oligomeric module in a manner causing the mechanical action of the second oligomeric module on the electric generating element to produce an electrical voltage and/or current.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are oligomeric machines comprising a first oligomeric module having a first end and a second end, and a second oligomeric module having a first end and a second end; wherein the first end of the first oligomeric module is joined to the first end of the second oligomeric module; and wherein the oligomeric machine exhibits stochastic resonance and/or spontaneous vibrations in a solution at a temperature when the temperature is in a critical temperature range and the oligomeric machine does not exhibit stochastic resonance in the solution when the temperature is not in the critical temperature range; and the oligomeric machine exhibits stochastic resonance and/or spontaneous vibrations in a solution under a force load applied to the oligomeric machine when the force load is in a critical force range and the oligomeric machine does not exhibit stochastic resonance and/or spontaneous vibrations in the solution when the force load is not in the critical range.

Abstract: In some embodiments, molecular and/or oligomeric machines comprising oligomeric modules are selected and joined so as to exhibit conformational bistability wherein a relative orientation between oligomeric modules may change from a first orientation to a second orientation in response to one or more stimuli.