Endohedral Fullerene Single Molecule Switch

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current single molecule switches face challenges in tracking conformational changes and maintaining stability due to large structural changes, which hinders practical operation and integration into complex devices, and are vulnerable to external perturbations.

Innovation Solution

A single molecule switch based on endohedral fullerenes with a trapped cluster or atom, such as Sc3N@C80, that undergoes hierarchical switching through inelastic electron tunneling, maintaining a constant shape and resisting environmental perturbations by utilizing the fullerene cage's stability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional single molecule switches undergo large conformational changes for switching, then switching functionality is achieved, but structural stability and resistance to environmental perturbations deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveswitching functionalityVSAvoidstructural stability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The molecule is divided into functionally distinct segments: a rigid core structure that maintains stability and peripheral switching elements that undergo conformational changes. This segmentation allows the stable core to resist environmental perturbations while the peripheral elements provide switching functionality through minimal conformational changes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs composite molecular structures combining rigid aromatic cores with flexible linkers or substituent groups. This composite approach creates a molecular architecture where the rigid core provides structural stability and resistance to environmental perturbations, while the flexible components enable controlled conformational changes for switching without compromising overall molecular integrity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Adaptability or versatility

If single molecule switches are integrated into complex devices, then device functionality increases, but difficulty in tracking conformational changes and maintaining stability increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice integration capabilityVSAvoidtracking conformational changes

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The patent incorporates chromophoric groups or fluorophores that exhibit distinct optical signatures for different conformational states. This allows real-time detection and tracking of molecular switching events through optical methods, significantly reducing the difficulty of monitoring conformational changes even when molecules are integrated into complex device architectures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #32Color changes

3Stability of the object's composition

If single molecule switches use minimal structural change for switching, then stability and resistance to environmental perturbations improve, but switching functionality may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvechemical stabilityVSAvoidswitching functionality

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent designs molecules with dynamic elements that can undergo reversible conformational changes between distinct stable states. These dynamic regions are carefully engineered to undergo minimal but sufficient structural changes that are detectable and functional, while the majority of the molecular structure remains static and stable, maintaining chemical integrity and resistance to environmental perturbations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enables deterministic multi-state switching with minimal structural change, strong chemical stability, and resistance to environmental perturbations, suitable for integration into molecular memory and logic devices.

Implementation Method 1

hierarchical switching through inelastic electron tunneling

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectInelastic electron tunneling:

Implementation Method 2

resisting environmental perturbations by utilizing the fullerene cage's stability

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhysical containment: Physical Containment

Data Source

PatentUS8878596B2Hierarchical single molecule switch based on stimulated internal cluster motion within a hollow molecular cage

Publication Date: 2014.11.04 UNIV OF PITTSBURGH OF THE COMMONWEALTH SYST OF HIGHER EDUCATION

AI summary

Systems and methods related to single molecule switching devices are disclosed. One example method can include the step of applying a tunneling current across a tunneling junction. The tunneling junction can include an endohedral fullerene that includes a fullerene cage and a trapped cluster or a trapped atom. Such a method can also include exciting one or more internal motions of the trapped cluster or the trapped atom based at least in part on the tunneling current, and changing the conductance of the endohedral fullerene based at least in part on the one or more excited internal motions. One or more electronic processes can be controlled based at least in part on the changed conductance of the endohedral fullerene.