By Pranjal Malewar 5 May, 2025
Collected at: https://www.techexplorist.com/new-kind-molecule-smaller-efficient-computers/99286/
A major challenge in molecular electronics is creating materials that can efficiently transport electrical charge over long distances. For over two decades, scientists have worked to develop tiny electronic components using molecules that offer unique properties beyond conventional materials.
However, existing designs often struggle with weak conductivity, especially at low voltage, making them impractical for advanced technology.
Now, physicists at the University of Miami have introduced a highly conductive, air-stable molecular wire that could revolutionize computer chips.
This newly developed organic molecule—made of carbon, sulfur, and nitrogen—is the most electrically conductive of its kind. Its remarkable performance comes from a special interaction between electron spins at both ends of the molecule, allowing for smooth charge flow.
This breakthrough could lead to smaller, faster, and more efficient computing devices at the molecular level. For the first time, scientists have shown that organic molecules can transport electrons without any energy loss over distances of tens of nanometers—a critical step toward molecular-scale electronics.
Usually, as a molecule grows, its ability to conduct electrons drops exponentially. Still, these newly designed molecular “wires” act as high-speed highways for data transfer, storage, and processing in future computing systems.
This system is unique because electrons move through it like bullets without losing energy—something never seen before in organic materials. This ultra-efficient electron transport could shrink future devices and open doors to functions beyond what silicon-based materials have ever achieved.
The researchers examined the molecule’s properties using a scanning tunneling microscope (STM), employing an STM break-junction technique to isolate a single molecule and measure its electrical conductance.
In terms of real-world applications, this discovery marks a significant advancement. Because the molecule is chemically stable and air-resistant, it has the potential to be integrated into existing nanoelectronic components, functioning as an electronic wire or an interconnect between chips.
Journal Reference:
- Shaocheng ShenMehrdad ShiriParamasivam MahalingamChaolong Tang et al. Long-Range Resonant Charge Transport through Open-Shell Donor–Acceptor Macromolecules. The Journal of the American Chemical Society. DOI: 10.1021/jacs.4c18150
Leave a Reply