Introduction: single-molecule semiconductors and their applications
Rohan V -
My interest in semiconductor technology began early last year when I started exploring the properties of silicon-based transistors – ‘on-off switches’ that form the basis of computer logic. Taking AP Chemistry piqued my interest in how molecules interacted at the nanoscale, and prompted me to begin thinking of how existing semiconductor technology could be optimized and taken to a smaller scale. I was especially drawn to nanomaterials science, as I could see the seemingly magical laws of quantum mechanics have tangible effects. I began conducting research at the University of Arizona in late 2023, where I was able to develop and model single-molecule semiconductors through software, and then engaged in programming to extract information about their properties.
Because the field of single-molecule electronics is relatively unexplored, small breakthroughs in understanding can lead to much larger shifts in the field’s doctrine and applications. My project aims to explore how organic molecules will conduct electricity when placed in an electronic device. This research, by enabling a more accurate characterization of molecular behavior in devices, will pave the way for faster implementation in solar panels and related technologies. Ultimately, single-molecule electronics offer an energy-efficient, low-cost solution to material scarcity in the modern world.