Researchers develop world's smallest nanoscale diode

Researchers have developed the world’s smallest nanoscale diode or molecular rectifier that could impact the development of molecular electronic devices in future.
The breakthrough was achieved by the researchers from the University of Georgia and Ben-Gurion University of the Negev (BGU). It has size of single molecule and facilitates electronic current flow in one direction.
How it was developed?

• Researchers took a single DNA molecule made from 11 base pairs and connected it to an electronic circuit just a few nanometres in size.
• When current was passed through this molecule, it remained electrically neutral and didn’t show any changes.
• Later they inserted layers of a molecule called coralyne between layers of DNA which made in electrically active and the behaviour of the circuit showing necessary characteristics of a nano diode.

Significance: In future it may help in the design and construction of nano-scale electronic elements that are at least 1,000 times smaller than current components.

What are diodes?

• Diodes are electronic devices that that allow current to move through it in one direction with far greater ease but not another.
• The most common diodes in modern electronics circuit design are the semiconductor diode, although other diode technologies exist.
• They are responsible for moving current around a lot of common electronics, and are printed by the millions onto modern-day silicon chips.

Month: Current Affairs - April, 2016