Tethered molecules act as light-driven reversible nanoswitches
June 24, 2008 | Source: PhysOrg.com
Penn State University and Rice University scientists have developed a new technique for attaching light-sensitive organic molecules to metal surfaces that allows the molecules to be switched between two different configurations in response to exposure to different wavelengths of light.
This research advance is the first step in designing a device that can be driven or actuated by such molecular change. It could perform useful work as a switch or nanoscale-drive motor by building moving parts into an assembly.