Frozen lightning: NIST's new nanoelectronic switch

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Silver nanoswitch: When the voltage between a gold conductor (top) and silver conductor (bottom) exceeds a critical point silver ions rapidly assemble like a lightning strike to bridge the gap through a organic molecule monolayer. Credit: NIST
Silver nanoswitch: When the voltage between a gold conductor (top) and silver conductor (bottom) exceeds a critical point, silver ions rapidly assemble like a lightning strike to bridge the gap through a organic molecule monolayer. Credit: NIST

Researchers at the National Institute of Standards and Technology have demonstrated a prototype nanoscale electronic switch that works like lightning—except for the speed. Their proof-of-concept experiments reported last week demonstrate that nanoscale electrical switches can be built from self-assembled layers of organic molecules on silver wires. Potential applications range from a replacement technology for magnetic data storage to integrated circuit memory devices.


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