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Related Concept Videos

Mechanically-gated Ion Channels01:12

Mechanically-gated Ion Channels

Mechanically-gated ion channels are proteins found in eukaryotic and prokaryotic cell membranes that open in response to mechanical stress. Tension, compression, swelling, and shear stress can alter the conformation of the protein, opening a transmembrane channel that allows the passage of ions for signal transmission. In eukaryotes, mechanically-gated channels are distributed in several regions like the neurons, lungs, skin, bladder, and heart, where they play critical roles in numerous...
Mechanically-gated Ion Channels01:12

Mechanically-gated Ion Channels

Mechanically-gated ion channels are proteins found in eukaryotic and prokaryotic cell membranes that open in response to mechanical stress. Tension, compression, swelling, and shear stress can alter the conformation of the protein, opening a transmembrane channel that allows the passage of ions for signal transmission. In eukaryotes, mechanically-gated channels are distributed in several regions like the neurons, lungs, skin, bladder, and heart, where they play critical roles in numerous...
Facilitated Transport01:19

Facilitated Transport

The chemical and physical properties of plasma membranes cause them to be selectively permeable. Since plasma membranes have both hydrophobic and hydrophilic regions, substances need to be able to transverse both regions. The hydrophobic area of membranes repels substances such as charged ions. Therefore, such substances need special membrane proteins to cross a membrane successfully. In facilitated transport, also known as facilitated diffusion, molecules and ions travel across a membrane via...
Facilitated Transport01:19

Facilitated Transport

The chemical and physical properties of plasma membranes cause them to be selectively permeable. Since plasma membranes have both hydrophobic and hydrophilic regions, substances need to be able to transverse both regions. The hydrophobic area of membranes repels substances such as charged ions. Therefore, such substances need special membrane proteins to cross a membrane successfully. In  facilitated transport, also known as facilitated diffusion, molecules and ions travel across a membrane via...
Electrochemical Gradient and Channel Proteins: An Overview01:21

Electrochemical Gradient and Channel Proteins: An Overview

An electrochemical gradient is a fundamental concept in biology and chemistry. It regulates the movement of ions across cell membranes. This movement is influenced by two factors:
The electrical gradient: The electrical gradient across cell membranes refers to the difference in electric charge between the inside and outside of a cell.  This difference drives the movement of ions towards or away from the cells. For instance, if the inside of the cell is more negatively charged relative to the...
Ion Channels01:19

Ion Channels

The movement of ions like sodium, potassium, and calcium into and out of the cell is essential to maintain the electrochemical gradient in living cells. The ion channels—a class of membrane transport proteins—help maintain this ionic gradient for the smooth functioning of physiological activities such as maintaining cell size and volume, conducting nerve impulses, and gas and nutrient exchange.
Ion channels are specialized integral membrane proteins on the plasma membrane that allow specific...

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Electric-field Control of Electronic States in WS2 Nanodevices by Electrolyte Gating
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Charge transport through molecular switches.

Sense Jan van der Molen1, Peter Liljeroth

  • 1Kamerlingh Onnes Laboratorium, Leiden University, Niels Bohrweg 2, Leiden, The Netherlands. molen@physics.leidenuniv.nl

Journal of Physics. Condensed Matter : an Institute of Physics Journal
|March 11, 2011
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Researchers explored charge transport in switchable molecules, finding that electrode coupling significantly impacts molecular junction functionality. Understanding this relationship is crucial for advancing molecular electronics research and technology.

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Area of Science:

  • Molecular electronics
  • Charge transport phenomena
  • Nanoscale science

Background:

  • Significant research has focused on charge transport through various molecular switches over the last decade.
  • Molecular switches include mechanically interlocked molecules, redox-active compounds, and photochromic systems like azobenzenes and diarylethenes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review and synthesize current research on charge transport mechanisms in switchable molecules.
  • To highlight the critical role of molecular-electrode coupling in determining the functional properties of molecular junctions.

Main Methods:

  • Utilizing a range of experimental techniques, including low-temperature scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) and two-terminal break junctions.
  • Investigating individual molecules and self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) to probe charge transport.
  • Examining both intrinsically switchable molecules and passively switched devices.

Main Results:

  • Electronic coupling between molecules and electrodes profoundly influences the properties of molecular junctions.
  • Intrinsic switchability of molecules can be lost upon contact with electrodes.
  • Extrinsic switching can be achieved using passive molecules in two-terminal devices.

Conclusions:

  • The interplay between molecular structure, electrode coupling, and switchability is a key determinant of device performance.
  • A deeper understanding of the structure-property-coupling relationship is essential for the future development of molecular electronic devices.
  • This knowledge is vital for both fundamental scientific advancement and technological applications in molecular switches.