Published in Chemistry World, 13 Dec 2011
Researchers in Germany claim to have created the world’s smallest molecular switch, relying on the movement of just a single proton. The switch could help scientists to develop molecular electronics for ultra-small computing devices.
Molecules have long been proposed as alternative circuit components. In 1974, IBM researchers described how a single molecule could pass current in just one direction, thereby acting as a diode, and since then various other components, such as transistors and switches, have been put forward. In theory, single molecule electronics should be smaller than their silicon counterparts, and may require less power. […]
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