Method and apparatus for controlling an electric current through bio-molecules
OwnerEdward William Schlaginventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The present invention relates to a method of and an apparatus for controlling an electric current through a medium, comprising the steps of applying a voltage at two electrodes being coupled to the medium at two different positions, and changing of at least one physical parameter of said medium, so as to change the conductivity of said medium. In order to improve performance of molecular electronic devices it is suggested that said medium comprises a chain molecule (1) including a plurality of molecular sections (2) and changing of said at least one physical parameter of the medium includes one parameter that blocks the internal movement of adjacent molecular sections (2) of said chain molecule (1).
Claims20
A method of controlling passage of an electric current through a medium comprised of a chain molecule including a plurality of molecular sections, the chain molecule capable of being reversibly changed into and out of a charge conducting state, the method comprising the steps of:
- applying a voltage across the medium;
- and
- controlling a relative movement of adjacent molecular sections so as to reversibly change the charge conducting state of the chain molecule.
A molecular switch comprising:
- a chain molecule including a plurality of molecular sections, the chain molecule capable of being reversibly changed into and out of a charge conducting state;
- and
- a trigger capable of controlling a relative movement of adjacent molecular sections so as to reversibly change the conductivity of the chain molecule.
Use of a chain molecule as a molecular switch, wherein the chain molecule comprises molecular sections pivoting on each other with a period of rotation smaller than the smallest period of vibration of the chain molecule.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.