Definition
Plain language
An electronic switch built from a single layer of molecules instead of ordinary silicon.
As stated in the literature
Device using organic molecules as the active channel; Schön's claimed self-assembled-monolayer molecular transistors were fabricated and retracted.
Also called: molecular transistors
Why it matters: If it worked, it would push electronics down to the size of individual molecules, which is why such claims attract attention and demand hard scrutiny.
For example, a claimed device sandwiched a single layer of organic molecules between electrodes and reported it switching current on and off like a silicon chip.
Heard on the show
“People do lose research years to L-K ninety-nine and to Schön-style molecular transistors.”Episode 240 — Frontier Models Designed Follow-Ups To Fraudulent Papers 93% Of The Time