| Scientists
from the University of Birmingham's Nanoscale Science
Facility have made a breakthrough in manipulating the
smallest single molecules and atoms by devising a new
technique of molecular dissection which induces the
"birth" of a daughter atom from the parent
molecule.
This breakthrough, which is
highlighted in a paper published in the journal, Nature,
today (Thursday 17 March), is significant for two
reasons - not only have University physicists developed
a novel method of dissociation using two electrons,
but they have also successfully achieved this experiment
at room temperature.
The new method, devised by
Professor Richard Palmer and Dr Peter Sloan, uses
the tip of a Scanning Tunnelling Microscope (STM)
to inject two electrons into the parent chlorobenzine
molecule to induce a dissociation event - the first
electron sets the molecule into vibration and the
second electron breaks the bond between the parent
molecule and daughter chlorine atom.
Previous experiments of this
nature have only been possible at cryogenic temperatures
- 269 degrees centigrade below zero - as heat can
have a dramatic affect in destabilising the target
molecule. However, by anchoring the parent molecule
- chlorobenzine - to a silicon surface through the
carbon ring that forms part of the molecule, the molecule
can be fixed strongly enough to manipulate it.
Professor Richard Palmer explains
the significance of the breakthrough: "Through
this experiment we are operating at the ultimate level
of control over chemistry. We've instigated a rapid
ejection of the chlorine daughter atom, as it shoots
away from the parent molecule across the surface.
It's fantastic to witness such a fundamental process
under the microscope.
"What's more, we have
a chance to harness this new knowledge of chemical
selectivity and apply it to make chemistry more tuneable.
With our colleagues in the School of Biosciences,
we are now exploring whether this type of process
can be exploited in the field of bioremediation, with
the goal of breaking down and extract hazardous contaminants
to improve the environment."
The Nanoscale Science Facility
(NSF), within the University's School of Physics and
Astronomy, explores in great depth the manipulation
of single atoms and molecules - 10,000 times smaller
than the diameter of a human hair - in order to significantly
enhance a number of fields from materials to chemicals,
biomedical analysis to information technology.
Contact:
Rachel Robson
Press Officer
University of Birmingham
tel: 0121 414 6681
mob: 07789 921165
r.a.robson@bham.ac.uk
Copyright © University
of Birmingham
|
