An Advance Toward UltraPortable Electronic Devices

Introduction
Scientists are reporting a key advance toward the long-awaited era of "single-molecule electronics," when common electronic circuits in computers, smart phones, audio players, and other devices may shrink to the size of a grain of sand. The breakthrough is a method for creating and attaching the tiny wires that will connect molecular components, reports a new study in the Journal of the American Chemical Society.

Molecular scale electronics

Molecular scale electronics, also called single molecule electronics, is a branch of nanotechnology that uses single molecules, or nanoscale collections of single molecules, as electronic components. Because single molecules constitute the smallest stable structures imaginable this miniaturization is the ultimate goal for shrinking electrical circuits.

 Single molecule electronics is an emerging field, and entire electronic circuits consisting exclusively of molecular sized compounds are still very far from being realized. However, the continuous demand for more computing power together with the inherent limitations of the present day lithographic methods make the transition seem unavoidable. Currently, the focus is on discovering molecules with interesting properties and on finding ways to obtaining reliable and reproducible contacts between the molecular components and the bulk material of the electrodes.

Graphical representation of a rotaxane, useful as a molecular switch.:

One of the biggest problems with measuring on single molecules is to establish reproducible electrical contact with only one molecule and doing so without shortcutting the electrodes. Because the current photolithographic technology is unable to produce electrode gaps small enough to contact both ends of the molecules tested (in the order of nanometers) alternative strategies are put into use.

Advances in Plastics for Electronic Devices (Technical Insights): It provides a comprehensive analysis of advanced electronic plastics, electrical/electronic plastic material trends, and global electronic device market drivers. It also covers advanced plastics in electronic technologies and applications in the areas of automotive electronics, consumer products electronics, as well as industrial device electronics.

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Application Sector:
Chemicals and Materials Electronic Devices Automation and Electronics Automotive and Transportation Environmental Technologies Surface Mount Technologies Mobile and Wireless Communications

Technologies:
Resin Advances in Electronic Devices Specialty E/E Compounds/Additives Flame Retardant Systems Bioplastic FR Materials Inherently Conductive Polymers MID LDS Materials Organic Electronics

Polymers for Use in Conductive Electronics to Witness Significant Growth:

The exceptional insulation capabilities of plastics have been pivotal to the use of polymers in the development of electrical and electronic devices. In addition to insulation, the conductive properties of plastics combined with superior design/processing methods are offering economical solutions for the electrical/electronic (E/E) market. "Plastic electronics based on inherently conductive polymers (ICPs) and flexible substrates are set to change the face of the electronics industry," says the analyst of this research service. "The global demand for conductive electronic polymer products is forecast to expand by 14.5 per cent per year until 2008."

 References:- (1). World Wide Web (2). Wikipedia encyclopedia