Molecules to materials. 6. Molecular scale devices

Abstract

The concept of individual molecules functioning as active devices has been around for a few decades. The active device size has continuously decreased during this century, starting with meter-sized vacuum valve tubes of the early 1930's and 40's, through millimeter-sized transistors in the 1960's to micrometer-sized integrated circuits in the 1970's and 80's. Thus the molecular scale devices represent the logical evolution to nanoscale devices expected towards the end of this century and the beginning of the next. This article presents some examples to provide a glimpse of the activity in this area.