molecular electronics

electronics

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July 16, 2026

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Molecular electronics is a field that explores using individual molecules as components for electronic devices. This concept emerged in the 1970s, but the necessary nanotechnology tools became available around the turn of the 21st century. A significant challenge is wiring molecules that are only nanometers wide. Researchers are developing molecular switches for computer memory and logic arrays, and exploring architectures for assembling molecules into nanoscale gates. Related areas include DNA computing, where DNA molecules are used for computation, and organic thin-film transistors for flexible electronic applications.1

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Molecular electronics—a subfield of nanotechnology where individual molecules can become circuit elements—would make it possible to manipulate matter at the molecular and atomic level, and this, combined with advances in the physical sciences and gene technology, would make it possible for enormous transformative power to…
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Molecular electronics—a subfield of nanotechnology where individual molecules can become circuit elements—would make it possible to manipulate matter at the molecular and atomic level, and this, combined with advances in the physical sciences and gene technology, would make it possible for enormous transformative power to…
Read More

nanotechnology
Molecular electronics
The use of molecules for electronic devices was suggested by Mark Ratner of Northwestern University and Avi Aviram of IBM as early as the 1970s, but proper nanotechnology tools did not become available until the turn of the 21st century. Wiring up molecules…
Read More
The use of molecules for electronic devices was suggested by Mark Ratner of Northwestern University and Avi Aviram of IBM as early as the 1970s, but proper nanotechnology tools did not become available until the turn of the 21st century. Wiring up molecules…
Read More