The field of nanomachines based on mesoporous and microporous silica nanoparticles is a relatively new one, but has quickly gained widespread popularity due to their large potential applications. These porous nanomaterials can both carry and release a therapeutic drug molecule at a targeted location. In order to regulate the movement of cargo, nanomachines are designed and assembled onto the silica nanoparticle, ultimately creating a delivery system on the nanoscale that is capable of a stimulus-responsive delivery of its cargo.

This dissertation focuses on the design, synthesis and assembly of nanomachines on both meso- and microporous silica nanoparticles to achieve the goal of cargo delivery. The six chapters of this dissertation are presented as follows: 1) the design, synthesis and modification of silica nanoparticles for their use in biology, 2) a light activated, reversible nanovalve assembled on mesoporous silica nanoparticles to achieve a size-selective cargo delivery, 3) biological applications and the delivery of anti-cancer drugs using a pseudorotaxane-based light activated nanovalve, 4) a nanogate machine that is capable of the storage and delivery of both small metal ions and useful organic cargo molecules, 5) biological applications of the nanogate machine in order to deliver calcium ions to cancerous cells to induce cell apoptosis, and 6) thin wax coated microporous silica nanoparticles that are capable of delivering small ions including oxidizers.