In an effort to avert this eventuality, research has concentrated on moving away from traditional silicon technologies and into the realms of molecule-sized components and alternative materials. In this vein, researchers at the University of Georgia (UGA) and Ben-Gurion University (BGU) in Israel have, for the first time, created a nanoscale electronic diode from a single DNA molecule.

Diodes allow current to flow in one direction in an electric circuit, while blocking current in the opposite direction. Commonly known as "rectifiers" from their common usage in converting alternating current to direct current, diodes are an essential component in a vast range of electronic devices, and are printed in their millions on almost every variety of silicon chip. A simple component, even the smallest diodes are beginning to approach the limits as to how many can be packed onto a single integrated circuit.