IBM Takes Next Step Towards Building Molecular Device

Science magazine recently published a report on a nanoscience breakthrough by scientists of IBM's Zurich Research Laboratory in collaboation with colleagues at the University of Regensburg, Germany and the University of Utrecht, Netherlands.

The scientists were the first to measure directly the charge state of individual gold and silver atoms using an atomic force microscope (AFM). Measuring the minute differences in force exerted by these differently charged atoms with a sensitivity of a single electron-charge, they were able to distinguish between neutral, negatively or positively charged atoms. In fact, the measurement accuracy was better than 1 piconewton--which is equal to the gravitational force that two adults exert on each other over a distance of more than half a kilometer.

This achievement presents a milestone in nanoscale science and opens up new possibilities in the exploration of structures and devices at the ultimate atomic and molecular limits-of, for example, computing elements that could be vastly smaller, faster and more energy-efficient than today's processors and memory devices. It also holds potential to impact areas such as photovoltaics or catalysis.

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Science & Technology

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• Leo
• Take12

[happinesson]

IBM never fails to amaze me with their research! magnificent!

[laitela01]

more faster... yaeh.. a HELLA lot faster! It will be more powerful than all the present computers combined!

[chunter5100]

omg my mind is reeling.....they are actually talking about circuitry on a molecular level???????

whooaaaaaa...

I bow to genius

[Kosmicpower2012]

This is a great achievement.. Best of grace for our future achievements.

[wildchildplasma]

Oh well cant get away with embedding the computer in the wall in the future then as I suppose these fast crystals will need to be in the right coolant environment such that would practically go well in a home based wall at least for a while. still could look more interesting than simply a box and I'll bet would clock in at quite some GHz like my gold laced crystal brain.

[Davie557]

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