This is like a hiker stepping on a stone to cross a stream. Then the electron cannot jump as easily. Scientists are also working on creating smaller wires to use with these new molcules. They have stretched carbon tubes into thin strands one nanometer wide. Nanometers are so small that they are used to measure viruses that cannot be seen without a microscope.
Scientists plan to combine layers of rotaxane molecules into ultra-powerful computers.
The new computers will be much smaller but 100 billion times faster than the computers we are using now. They will also be less expensive. However, five to ten years after that, CAENs should be available in stores for anyone to buy. Someday, you might even have one in your own home. The biggest problem the scientists face right now is that each rotaxane molecule can be used only once.