Molecular Archimedes' screw spins on electricity and boosts conductivity 100-fold

· Science

Scientists have built a molecular motor that spins in either direction when driven by electricity, inspired by the Archimedes' screw invented more than 2,000 years ago. The researchers report that its rotation can raise electrical conductivity by up to 100 times. The item does not name the institutions involved or the material system used. Molecular machines that respond to electrical rather than light or chemical inputs are a long-standing goal in molecular electronics, where controlled switching of current at the single-molecule scale is central.

Why it matters：Electrically driven molecular motors with a large conductivity change are a step toward molecular-scale electronic switches, a long-sought component of molecular electronics.

Key points

  • The design mimics the Archimedes' screw and can spin in either direction.
  • Rotation increased conductivity by up to 100 times.

Sources (original reporting)

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