This document was recently published in the journal Science. Switchable molecule, which is the result of sub-project of the Collaborative Research Center 677 “function when you switch, can be used in construction of small electromagnetic storage units and in medical imaging.

Scientists from the University of Kiel designed molecular machine is constructed in a similar way to the record. The molecule consists of nickel ions surrounded by pigmented ring (porphyrin), and a nitrogen atom, which hovers over the ring, the arm on the turntable. “When we have a molecule with blue-green light irradiation, the nitrogen atom is precisely placed vertically to the nickel ion, like needles,” explains Rainer Herges. “This ensures that the nickel ion to be magnetic, as the connection of the two electrons will be canceled,” says Professor of Chemistry. Counter the effect of blue-violet light: the nitrogen atom increased, the electrons form a pair, and the nickel ion is no longer magnetic. “We can repeat this switching of the magnetic state of more than 10.000 times varied exposure to two different wavelengths of light, not wearing a molecular machine, or suffer adverse reactions,” Herges enthusiasm.

Switch found with a diameter of 1.2 nanometers, can be used as a small magnetic tank in molecular electronics.

First of all hard drive manufacturers are interested in this, if more capacity can be achieved by reducing the size of magnetic particles on the disk surface. Professor Herges also considers the use of a magnetic switch in the medical sector is possible. “Player of the molecule can be used as an agent for intravenous contrast MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) to locate the tumor, or narrowing of the arteries in the first test of Neuroradiology University Medical Center Schleswig-Holstein Department have been successful.”

If the signal to noise ratio is improved by the switching process, a smaller number of contrast agents for magnetic salt needed than currently in use. Furthermore, according to Herges, molecular machine can also serve as the basis for the development of new contrast agents for functions such as temperature, pH, or even of certain biochemical markers in the body in three-dimensional shape display. Rainer Herges lists the possible use of “the use of contrast agents, as it may be possible to find the centers of the inflammation, swelling, and detect tumours and visualise many metabolic processes.”

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