Home > News > Control of Molecular Switches Increased
September 30th, 2004
Control of Molecular Switches Increased
Abstract:
A means to stabilize molecular switches based on chemical interactions with surrounding molecules has been developed at by a research team lead by Penn State Professor of Chemistry and Physics Paul S. Weiss.
Story:
Control of Molecular Switches Increased by Tailored Molecular Interactions
Eberly College of Science
A means to stabilize molecular switches based on chemical interactions with surrounding molecules has been developed at by a research team lead by Penn State Professor of Chemistry and Physics Paul S. Weiss. While molecules known as OPEs (oligo phenlylene-ethynylene molecules) previously have been shown to switch randomly or with applied electric fields between conductive (ON) and non-conductive (OFF) states, their potential use as switches in computers and other electronic devices depends on the ability to control these states. Such switches could advance nanoscale computer applications, decreasing the size and energy costs of memory.
A paper describing the research results, titled "Mediating Stochastic Switching of Single Molecules Using Chemical Functionality," will be published in the Journal of the American Chemical Society on 6 October 2004.
"If we can stabilize and control the conductance state, we are closer to developing molecular memory components," says Weiss, whose research team includes James E. Hutchison, professor of chemistry at the University of Oregon and James M. Tour, professor of chemistry at Rice University. "The chemical interactions that we observed reduce random switching, which could decrease the refresh rate needed for a random-access-memory device and significantly reduce power usage." Weiss points out that this research is providing basic information about the mechanism of switching and that its application in computers is not imminent.
The researchers varied the local chemical environment of the molecules by inserting OPE molecules into the matrix of a self-assembled monolayer of amide-containing alkanethiol molecules attached to a gold surface. The monolayer consists of long molecules extending outward from the surface. The OPE molecules physically extend beyond the monolayer and can be detected with a scanning tunneling microscope. Interactions between functional chemical groups on the OPE molecule and groups on the molecules of the monolayer stabilize the electronic state after it changes. A key observation is that the change can be induced when an electric field of the correct polarity is applied by the tip of the scanning tunneling microscope. "This reversibility supports our hypotheses about the mechanism of the switching and demonstrates that the chemical environment is crucial to the function of the switches," Weiss says. Reversibility is an essential factor in any application of OPE molecules as components in electronic devices.
The chemical interaction was based on hydrogen bonding between a nitro group attached to the OPE and amide groups attached to the surrounding molecules. Additional research is ongoing to measure the effects of other combinations of functional groups. "By engineering tailored intermolecular interactions into our molecular designs, we have introduced control to electronic switching of single molecules," says Weiss. The research is an essential step toward molecular engineering of computer components at the nanoscale.
This research was funded, in part, by the Army Research Office (ARO), Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), Office of Naval Research (ONR), National Institutes of Standards and Technology (NIST), National Science Foundation (NSF), and Department of Energy (DOE).
Contacts:
Paul S. Weiss
(+1) 814-865-3693
stm@psu.edu
Barbara K. Kennedy (PIO)
(+1) 814-863-4682
science@psu.edu
Copyright © PSU
If you have a comment, please us.
Bookmark:
| Related News Press |
Chip Technology
Mexican scientist in the Netherlands seeks to achieve data transmission ... speed of light September 20th, 2016
Towards Stable Propagation of Light in Nano-Photonic Fibers September 20th, 2016
PHENOMEN is a FET-Open Research Project aiming to lay the foundations a new information technology September 19th, 2016
NIST Patents Single-Photon Detector for Potential Encryption and Sensing Apps September 16th, 2016
Memory Technology
Diamonds and quantum information processing on the nano scale August 31st, 2016
Magnetic atoms arranged in neat rows: FAU physicists enable one-dimensional atom chains to grow August 5th, 2016
New metamaterials can change properties with a flick of a light-switch: Material can lead to new optical devices August 3rd, 2016
Nanoelectronics
Mexican scientist in the Netherlands seeks to achieve data transmission ... speed of light September 20th, 2016
GLOBALFOUNDRIES to Deliver Industry’s Leading-Performance Offering of 7nm FinFET Technology: Company extends its leading-edge roadmap for products demanding the ultimate processing power September 15th, 2016
Semiconducting inorganic double helix: New flexible semiconductor for electronics, solar technology and photo catalysis September 15th, 2016
Discoveries
Chains of nanogold – forged with atomic precision September 23rd, 2016
Tattoo therapy could ease chronic disease: Rice-made nanoparticles tested at Baylor College of Medicine may help control autoimmune diseases September 23rd, 2016
Speedy bacteria detector could help prevent foodborne illnesses September 21st, 2016
Coffee-infused foam removes lead from contaminated water September 21st, 2016
 |
||
 |
||
| The latest news from around the world, FREE | ||
 |
||
|
|
||
| Premium Products | ||
 |
||
|
Only the news you want to read!
Learn More |
||
 |
||
|
University Technology Transfer & Patents
Learn More |
||
 |
||
|
Full-service, expert consulting
Learn More |
||
|
|
||
