Research into molecular electronics

Researchers at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign have taken a step toward ever-smaller devices with their work in the field of molecular electronics. 

Molecular electronics is the use of single molecules (or small groups of them) as the components creating an electrical circuit. Challenges in this area of research include precise control over the electrical current and that many organic molecules have multiple molecular arrangements, resulting in variations in conductance.

The team found that using molecules with a rigid, ladder-like structure allowed them to be more stable. Staying persistent in their shape and conductance means more consistency and reproducibility. To be able to build commercial devices using these molecules would require manufacturing identical, stable components.

The research was published in Nature Chemistry Aug. 26, 2024.