Navigation Links
Michigan Tech scientist models molecular switch
Date:6/16/2008

HOUGHTON, Mich.--Michigan Technological University physicist Ranjit Pati and his team have developed a model to explain the mechanism behind computing's elusive Holy Grail, the single molecular switch.

If born out experimentally, his work could help explode Moore's Law and could revolutionize computing technology.

Moore's Law predicts that the number of transistors that can be economically placed on an integrated circuit will double about every two years. But by 2020, Moore's Law is expected to hit a brick wall, as manufacturing costs rise and transistors shrink beyond the reach of the laws of classical physics.

A solution lies in the fabled molecular switch. If molecules could replace the current generation of transistors, you could fit more than a trillion switches onto a centimeter-square chip. In 1999, a team of researchers at Yale University published a description of the first such switch, but scientists have been unable to replicate their discovery or explain how it worked. Now, Pati believes he and his team may have found the mechanism behind the switch.

Applying quantum physics, he and his group developed a computer model of an organometallic molecule firmly bound between two gold electrodes. Then he turned on the juice.

As the laws of physics would suggest, the current increased along with the voltage, until it rose to a miniscule 142 microamps. Then suddenly, and counterintuitively, it dropped, a mysterious phenomenon known as negative differential resistance, or NDR. Pati was astonished at what his analysis of the NDR revealed.

Up until the 142-microamp tipping point, the molecule's cloud of electrons had been whizzing about the nucleus in equilibrium, like planets orbiting the sun. But under the bombardment of the higher voltage, that steady state fell apart, and the electrons were forced into a different equilibrium, a process known as "quantum phase transition."

"I never thought this
'/>"/>

Contact: Marcia Goodrich
mtunews@mtu.edu
906-487-2343
Michigan Technological University
Source:Eurekalert

0

GOOD

Page: 1 2

Related biology technology :

1. Ash Stevens Inc. Named One of Michigan 50 Companies to Watch
2. Beaumont Hospitals in Michigan Selects Halogen Software for Pay for Performance System
3. Lambert, Edwards & Associates Named Agency of Record for The West Michigan Science & Technology Initiative
4. West Michigan Science & Technology Initiative Seeks Exhibitors for Annual Life Science Showcase
5. Ann Arbor SPARK Receives $3.75M from Michigans Company Formation & Growth Fund
6. Michigan Life Science Network: Virtual Companies Get Global Reception
7. Michigan Catholic Conference Responds to Formation of Embryonic Stem Cell Research Ballot Committee
8. Michigan Life Science Network to Form Two New Virtual Companies
9. MichBio Announces Student Career Day at Michigan State University
10. MichBio Issues 2007/8 Michigan Life Sciences Directory and Resources Guide
11. Michigan Life Sciences Pipeline to Kick Off MichBio Expo
Post Your Comments:
*Name:
*Comment:
*Email:
(Date:2/9/2010)... AMSTERDAM , February 9 ,Agendia, ... today that,it has received the Clinical Laboratory Permit ... Health. The New York State permit ... its FDA-cleared breast cancer recurrence,test. ,, ... now obtained all major U.S. clinical,laboratory licenses. In ...
(Date:2/9/2010)... LEUVEN, Belgium , February 9 ... Paper Examines the Potential of Microplasmin to Improve ... Eye Diseases ,, ThromboGenics ... the discovery and development of innovative treatments for ... the positive,microplasmin Phase II trial results, evaluating the ...
(Date:2/8/2010)... Feb. 8 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ - YM BioSciences ... operational and financial results for the second quarter ... . ,, "After rigorous evaluation of numerous global ... a clinical-stage, Melbourne -based drug development company, ... David Allan , Chairman & CEO of YM ...
(Date:2/8/2010)... "Company") (Nasdaq: CMED ), a leading China -based advanced in-vitro,diagnostic ("IVD") company, today announced ... Investor Conference Date ... Rodman & Renshaw Annual March 7-9, 2010 ... ... Credit Suisse Asian ...
Breaking Biology Technology:Agendia Receives New York State Laboratory Permit and Laboratory Accreditation by College of American Pathologists 2ThromboGenics - Positive Microplasmin Phase II Data Published in Ophthalmology 2ThromboGenics - Positive Microplasmin Phase II Data Published in Ophthalmology 3ThromboGenics - Positive Microplasmin Phase II Data Published in Ophthalmology 4YM BioSciences reports second quarter 2010 operational and financial results 2YM BioSciences reports second quarter 2010 operational and financial results 3YM BioSciences reports second quarter 2010 operational and financial results 4YM BioSciences reports second quarter 2010 operational and financial results 5YM BioSciences reports second quarter 2010 operational and financial results 6YM BioSciences reports second quarter 2010 operational and financial results 7YM BioSciences reports second quarter 2010 operational and financial results 8YM BioSciences reports second quarter 2010 operational and financial results 9YM BioSciences reports second quarter 2010 operational and financial results 10YM BioSciences reports second quarter 2010 operational and financial results 11YM BioSciences reports second quarter 2010 operational and financial results 12China Medical Technologies to Participate Investor Conferences in March 2010 2
... sequencing grade plasmid DNA minipreps , , ... ultra-fast , preparation of up to 15 g plasmid ... performance in applications such as sequencing, restriction analyses, , ... Benefits of the QuickLyse Miniprep Kit include: , ...
... Imaging Systems introduces a line of small-animal , ... signal localization in live animals. The Image Station ... of optical or radioisotopic molecular , images ... , Traditional research on disease ...
... , ... extremely unstable upon collection of the sample, leading to changes ... applications such as real-time RT-PCR and microarray analysis,it is important ... stabilization and purification of,high-quality RNA from animal tissues, bacteria, and ...
Other Biology Technology:QuickLyse Miniprep Kit 2Kodak in vivo imaging system: precise coregistration of molecular imaging with anatomical X-ray imaging in animals 2Kodak in vivo imaging system: precise coregistration of molecular imaging with anatomical X-ray imaging in animals 3Kodak in vivo imaging system: precise coregistration of molecular imaging with anatomical X-ray imaging in animals 4Kodak in vivo imaging system: precise coregistration of molecular imaging with anatomical X-ray imaging in animals 5Kodak in vivo imaging system: precise coregistration of molecular imaging with anatomical X-ray imaging in animals 6Successful stabilization of gene expression profiles 2Successful stabilization of gene expression profiles 3
(Date:2/9/2010)... been a model system for studying and understanding the ... that cause influenza, measles and rabies. , ... potential to be genetically modified to serve as an ... while sparing healthy cells, and as a potent vaccine ... occur, however, scientists must have an accurate picture of ...
(Date:2/8/2010)... towards earlier UK springs and summers has been ... February 2010) in the scientific journal Global ... involving scientists from 12 UK research institutions, universities ... rigorous assessment so far of long-term changes in ... marine, freshwater and terrestrial environments in the UK. ...
(Date:2/8/2010)... the residue from tobacco smoke that clings to ... been extinguished, reacts with the common indoor air ... new potential health hazard was revealed in a ... Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley Lab). , "The burning ... a vapor that adsorbs strongly onto indoor surfaces, ...
Breaking Biology News(10 mins):Researchers reveal 3-D structure of bullet-shaped virus with potential to fight cancer, HIV 2Will earlier springs throw nature out of step? 2Study reveals new details on the dangers of third-hand smoke 2Study reveals new details on the dangers of third-hand smoke 3Study reveals new details on the dangers of third-hand smoke 4Global Death Toll 3A One Million Premature Babies Every Year 58835 1Global Death Toll 3A One Million Premature Babies Every Year 58835 2Global Death Toll 3A One Million Premature Babies Every Year 58835 3Global Death Toll 3A One Million Premature Babies Every Year 58835 4Global Death Toll 3A One Million Premature Babies Every Year 58835 5Curcumin may inhibit nicotine induced activation of head and neck cancers 58834 1Hoarseness predominates in vocal health issues for inner city children 58831 1
... Illinois at Chicago College of Pharmacy are attempting ... antipsychotic medication works in adults and children and ... a popular "atypical" antipsychotic medication, is used to ... disorder. , Jeffrey Bishop, assistant professor of ...
... last half century, researchers have found that mineral surfaces ... that would become essential ingredients to all life--such as ... acids (the essence of DNA). But which of ... were key to this evolution? This vexing question has ...
... two key rust resistance genes is enabling plant breeders around ... , The genes, Lr34 and Yr18 are inherited ... rust and stripe rust ?two major diseases of wheat in ... Dr Evans Lagudah, says various types of rust resistance have ...
Other Biology News:Studies look at how genes affect antipsychotic drug response 2Selecting life: Scientists find new way to search for origin of life 2Selecting life: Scientists find new way to search for origin of life 3Selecting life: Scientists find new way to search for origin of life 4Elusive rust resistance genes located 2
Request Info...
Immunogen: C terminus [VQLKRSKNDSKPYC] of cardiac elav-type RNA-binding protein (ETR-3) Storage: -20 C, Avoid Freeze/Thaw Cycles...
Standard 2" and 3" Fiberboard Boxes can be sold separately or with 16, 25, 36, 49, 64, 81 or 100 cell dividers. Fiberboard boxes can also be ordered with corresponding freezer racks...
...
Biology Products: