Molecular keypad lock

By Our Bureau
The Hindu
Thursday, February 1, 2007

A team of scientists at the Weizmann Institute of Science
has created a molecule that can function as an ultra-
miniaturised version of a keypad locking mechanism.

Keypad locks allow an action to take place only when the
right password is entered: a series of numbers punched in a
pre-set sequence.

Entering the sequence 2+3+4 will yield the same result as
3+4+2 on a calculator, but a keypad lock set to one
password (234) will not open for the other (342).

Fluorescent probes

The molecule, synthesised in the lab of Prof. Abraham
Shanzer , is composed of two smaller linked units -
fluorescent probes - separated by a molecular chain to
which iron can bind, according to a Weizmann Institute of
Science press release.

One of these probes can shine bright fluorescent blue and
the other fluorescent green, but only if the surrounding
conditions are right.

These conditions are the keypad inputs: Rather than the
electric pulses of an electronic keypad, they consist of
iron ions, acids, bases, and ultraviolet light.

Logic gates

Shanzer and his group have demonstrated in the past that
such molecules can be used as logic gates, such as those
that form the basis of computer operations.

As opposed to electronic logic gates, in which electrical
switches flip ON and OFF, the molecules, with various
combinations of chemical and light inputs, can switch
between colours and light intensities to perform arithmetic
calculations.

The scientists found that by controlling the opening rate
of the logic gate within the reaction time frame, they were
able to produce different, distinguishable outputs,
depending on the input order.

By adding light energy, which also influences the
molecules' glow, they were able to produce a molecule-size
device that lights up only when the correct chemical
'passwords' are introduced.

Shanzer believes this example of a molecular keypad lock -
the first of its kind - will lead to inventions in other
areas such as information security and even medicine.
"Faster and more powerful molecular locks could serve as
the smallest ID tags, providing the ultimate defence
against forgery."

'Smart' diagnosis

In the future, molecular keypads might prove valuable, as
well, in designing 'smart' diagnostic equipment to detect
the release of biological molecules or changes in
conditions that indicate disease.

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