Single-Molecule Electronic Device Is Now a Reality And Its 50 Times Better

A team of researchers, led by an Indian-American scientist, has created a single-molecule electronic device. The device has a potential of real-world technological applications for nanoscale devices.

The developed single-diode performs 50 times better than all prior designs.

Researchers have been working for long to construct a device where the active element is only a single molecule.

"Our new device represents the ultimate in functional miniaturisation that can be achieved for an electronic device," said team leader Latha Venkataraman.

Single molecule, apparently represents the limit of miniaturization.

The idea of creating a single-molecule diode was suggested by Arieh Aviram and Mark Ratner who theorised in 1974 that a molecule could act as a rectifier, a one-way conductor of electric current, TwoCircles.net noted.

"It's amazing to be able to design a molecular circuit, using concepts from chemistry and physics, and have it do something functional," Venkataraman added. "The length scale is so small that quantum mechanical effects are absolutely a crucial aspect of the device. So it is truly a triumph to be able to create something that you will never be able to physically see and that behaves as intended."

The discovery is detailed in the journal Nature Nanotechnology.