UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa., Nov. 18 (UPI) -- A means for controlling single-molecule switches by engineering their design and surrounding environment has been developed by U.S. researchers.

Pennsylvania State University [profile], Rice University [profile] and University of Oregon [profile] researchers have demonstrated single-molecule switches can be tailored to respond in predictable and stable ways, depending on the direction of the electric field applied to them.

Some switches were engineered to turn on, others were engineered to turn off in response to the same applied electric field. The discovery, which is an essential step in the emerging field of molecular electronics, could further the development of nano-components -- as small as molecules or atoms -- for use in future generations of computers and other electronic devices.

"Molecular switches eventually may become integrated into real electronics, but not until after someone discovers a way to wire them," said Paul S. Weiss of Pennsylvania State University.

The findings are published in December's Journal of the American Chemical Society.