"Single-molecule technology is still in the stage of concepts, principles and experimental verification, and there is still a long way to go before practical application." Yang Jinlong, an academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, told reporters in an exclusive interview with China Electronics News. As a new concept from the microscopic world, single-molecular science explores the mystery of the molecular world.
focuses on original innovation, and the "bookshelf" of the results are so small that they cannot be seen with the naked eye and ordinary microscope, and cannot be touched by people. However, the science of atoms and molecules forms the basis of the entire natural science. For centuries, mankind has continuously explored the mysteries of nature, laying a series of monuments in the history of science. However, the development of science is endless. To this day, research on atomic, molecular science and technology is still at the forefront of science, and far-reaching new ideas and new achievements are constantly emerging.
focuses on original innovation and putting the results on the "bookshelf" is the mission of many scientists. In the field of single molecule science, the theoretical team led by Yang Jinlong worked closely with the experimental team to systematically study the magnetic and electrical properties of single molecules, and has achieved a series of scientific results.
In an interview with a reporter from China Electronics News, Yang Jinlong introduced the current research progress to the reporter in detail. Yang Jinlong said that the first is to use single-molecule bond selection chemistry to achieve single-molecule magnetic spin state control. This achievement is of great significance and provides a new and important method for the design and preparation of single-molecular spintronic devices.
The second is a single-molecule device that uses single-molecule surgery to achieve dual functions, which raises single-molecule surgery and manipulation technology to a new level of multifunctional integration within single-molecule.
The third is to realize the kinetic characterization of single-molecule horizontal hydrogen bonding, which has laid a solid foundation for understanding, and then controlling and utilizing hydrogen bonds.
With the advent of the post-Moore era, semiconductor technology is developing rapidly and undergoing changes. Is single-molecule science and technology expected to be applied in electronic chips? In this regard, Yang Jinlong told the reporter of China Electronics News that at this stage, single-molecule technology is still in the stage of proposing concepts and principles and experimental verification, and there is still a long way to go before practical application. At this stage, the technical difficulties faced by the experiment include long-term stability problems of single-molecule devices, poor controllability of the interface structure between single-molecule and electrodes, low temperature and vacuum operation required by most devices, poor repeatability of device performance, poor device scalability, and compatibility issues with current CMOS technology. The problems faced by theory include the accuracy, speed, and size of the theoretical method that cannot meet the growing experimental needs, the theoretical model is too ideal, and the current research is mostly limited to single-scale simulation.
"In the next few years, the main direction of the development of single-molecule science will focus on overcoming the above experimental and theoretical technical difficulties. After solving the above problems, single-molecule technology will usher in a new chapter in the application of electronic chips." Yang Jinlong said.
uses science to solve problems and put the results on the "shelf"
From the perspective of national and social development, basic research is the source of innovation. After achieving certain research results, it is also of great significance to use your own development methods to solve technical problems related to the national economy. In Yang Jinlong's view, in addition to putting the results on the "bookshelf", we must also use the results, use basic science to solve technical problems related to the national economy, and put the results on the "shelf".
hydrogen fuel cell is considered a key role in helping to achieve the goal of "carbon peak and carbon neutrality", and is highly related to national economic fields such as new energy vehicles. The zero-emission and zero-pollution hydrogen fuel cell vehicles also represent an important direction for the future development of new energy vehicles. However, the hydrogen used in current hydrogen fuel cells usually contains 0.5% to 2% carbon monoxide. As the "heart" of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles, the platinum electrode of fuel cell is easily "toxic" by carbon monoxide impurity gas, resulting in a decline in battery performance and shortening of life, seriously hindering the promotion of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles. Fortunately, Yang Jinlong led the team to achieve research results.Yang Jinlong said that through the developed efficient catalyst, trace amounts of carbon monoxide can be removed selectively and efficiently, providing full-time protection for hydrogen fuel cells during frequent cold start-up and continuous operation. The development of hydrogen fuel cell technology in
has given new hope in the new energy vehicle industry, but now, the mainstream of new energy vehicle batteries is lithium batteries as the main body, including lithium phosphate batteries and ternary lithium batteries with nickel-cobalt and manganese. In the near future, will hydrogen fuel cells be expected to become the mainstream battery for new energy vehicle applications?
Speaking of the application prospects of hydrogen fuel cells in new energy vehicles, Yang Jinlong told the reporter of China Electronics News that hydrogen fuel cells have advantages such as clean and zero emissions, and are not restricted by seasons and mileage, and will not cause environmental problems in the battery recycling process, but they are still facing several major application difficulties. Yang Jinlong pointed out that the main problems faced by hydrogen fuel cells are the lifespan, cost of the stack, and the storage and transportation of hydrogen. "With the development of technology and the resolution of the above problems one by one, the above advantages will inevitably make hydrogen fuel cells a mainstream battery for the application of new energy vehicles and play a leading role in long-distance transportation vehicles." Yang Jinlong told reporters.
Strengthen basic research and promote the transformation of results
Scientific and technological innovation is like leveraging the earth, and can always create unexpected miracles. If you want to continue to write miracles, you need to continue to strengthen basic research and inject a steady stream of new momentum into scientific and technological innovation.
Yang Jinlong shared some views on how to strengthen basic research with the reporter of China Electronics Newspaper. "The development of basic research is mainly to stimulate researchers' curiosity." Yang Jinlong said that breakthroughs in many basic research fields are inseparable from breakthroughs in research technical means. For example, in the field of single-molecular science, more high-precision and advanced optical, electrical and magnetic single-molecule resolution and characterization technologies suitable for different application environments are needed in experiments, and efficient and controllable single-molecular device preparation and optimization methods are developed; in theory, low-scale calculation methods are needed, quantitative high-performance parallel computing software development, and high-precision calculation algorithm development are needed to achieve faster, larger and more accurate theoretical simulation and design of single-molecular systems, providing theoretical ideas and routes for guiding and promoting related experimental research.
In the field of hydrogen fuel cells, the team led by Yang Jinlong is still in the infancy of the transformation of basic research results, and is currently mainly solving the scale problem of catalyst preparation equipment. In fact, there is often a "death valley" between basic research and the transformation and application of results, making it difficult for many research results to produce the due benefits. In the process of transforming scientific research results into market-oriented products, how should we cross this "death valley"? Regarding this issue, Yang Jinlong also gave his own opinions and suggestions.
Yang Jinlong told the reporter of China Electronics News that the process from basic research results to industrialization is a complex and changeable process. There are different paths for the transformation of different achievements, and scientific research, enterprises, finance, government and other personnel participate. "The general principle in this process is to let professionals do professional things," said Yang Jinlong.
Author丨Zhang Yiyi
Edit丨Lian Xiaodong
Editor丨Maria
