Researchers from Iran University of Science and Technology studied the possibility of using DNA chains in designing spin pieces.
In this research, efforts have been made to design pieces that work based on molecular spintronics by using DNA molecule and its components. Previous studies showed that DNA was superconductive, metallic, semi-conductor and insulator. The recent study showed that this material is able to act like a spin field effect transistor, spin rectifier and spin Esaki diode.
Since changing the direction of the spin does not require much power, the replacement of electron charge with spin can be an appropriate solution to overcome problems in power increasing when dimensions become small in nanoelectronic devices. It is also expected that spin memories have much higher storage capacity than normal memories, which work based on the preservation of electron charges.
In case the pieces can be produced at industrial scale, the research will be considered as the basis of the production of spin pieces based on DNA, and it can help the development of non-traditional nanoelectronics based on molecular spintronics. Taking into consideration the compatibility of DNA molecule with human body, the product can be important in the field of bio-electronics too.
Results of the research have been published in Journal of Applied Physics, vol. 113, 2013, pp. 054701-1 to 054701-4.