Molecular monoelectronics

Summary form only given. Monoelectronics, a field of research concerned with the development of discrete digital electronic devices that code information by single electrons, is discussed. It is suggested that monoelectronic devices should be built from proteins because proteins of living electron transfer chains can store and exchange (tunnel) single electrons, and they may form molecular complexes and modify chemically active sites on the surface that are responsible for complex formation. It is noted that for an artificial protein complex to be produced, it is necessary that the electric field surrounding the protein molecules be known. This knowledge permits accurate choice of experimental conditions. Proteins with one or several metal atoms greatly differ from metal granules that originally served to develop the theory of monoelectronics. Theoretical analysis of the electron transfer through tunnel junctions with one atom in between has revealed volt-ampere oscillations which are a result of discrete energy levels on the prosthetic group of the protein.<
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