Electromechanically switching molecule may pave way to ultimate transistor

It may be the ultimate goal of miniaturizing integrated circuits: having single molecules act as electronic nanocomponents. Recently, we’ve seen US company Roswell Biotechnologies integrating molecular sensors into standard CMOS. Now, researchers at Lund University in Sweden have come up with a new single-molecule transistor candidate.

Like the classical transistor, the molecular switch responds to electric potential, alternating between an insulating and a conductive state. This change in electrical conductivity is accompanied by a change in shape: in its natural form, the molecule is tub-shaped and insulating, but after absorbing electrons, it turns flat and conductive. So, technically, it’s an electromechanical switch.