Here we examine systems that achieve non-equilibrium steady states in catalysis, autonomous molecular motors 8 and supramolecular materials, with a focus on the requirements that must be met. Reviews on these topics have appeared in recent years, which provide varying levels of mathematical detail and typically focus on one area. Our contribution is differentiated by an attempt to juxtapose a small number of examples of all three systems in a single article with a consistent focus on the role of the coupled reaction and the form of the reaction network. In doing so, we draw on the seminal work of who has long advocated a quantitative, thermodynamically consistent approach to the analysis of molecular motors. We present quantitative aspects of these theories in a "chemist friendly" manner but the use of mathematical equations will be kept to a minimumthe interested reader will be directed to boxes or ESI as appropriate.