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Updated: Oct 13, 2025

Single-Molecule Förster Resonance Energy Transfer Methods for Real-Time Investigation of the Holliday Junction Resolution by GEN1
Published on: September 18, 2019
Controlling the Entropy of a Single-Molecule Junction
Eugenia Pyurbeeva1, Chunwei Hsu2, David Vogel3
1School of Physics and Astronomy, Queen Mary University of London, Mile End Road, London E1 4NS, United Kingdom.
We measured the entropy of single molecules using thermocurrent spectroscopy. This revealed electron transfer dynamics, including a singlet-triplet transition, missed by other methods.
Area of Science:
- Thermodynamics
- Molecular Electronics
- Quantum Chemistry
Background:
- Single molecules act as nanoscale thermodynamic systems.
- Entropy measurements can reveal hidden microscopic electron transfer dynamics.
- Conventional charge transport measurements have limitations in observing these dynamics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To directly measure the entropy of a single free radical molecule.
- To investigate electron transfer dynamics using thermocurrent spectroscopy.
- To uncover transitions not detectable by standard methods.
Main Methods:
- Application of thermocurrent spectroscopy.
- Measurement of single molecule entropy in a magnetic field.
- Analysis of thermoelectric properties.
Main Results:
- Direct measurement of single free radical molecule entropy.
- Uncovered a singlet to triplet transition in a redox state.
- Identified dynamics missed by conventional charge transport measurements.
Conclusions:
- Thermoelectric measurements are powerful for determining entropy differences in nanoscale systems.
- This method reveals microscopic dynamics without prior structural assumptions.
- Provides new insights into molecular thermodynamics and electron transfer.
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