These efforts could lead to nanoscale electronics.

Researchers from the University of Georgia and Ben-Gurion University have developed an electronic component that is so tiny not only can you not see it with the naked eye nor can you see it with a regular microscope.

The scientists have used a single DNA molecule to create a diode, an electric component that allows the passage of electricity in just one direction. Furthermore, the DNA molecule that they have designed for the purpose of this study has only 11 base pairs. In order to get some perspective, the human genome has around 3 billion pairs.

In order to allow for the current to flow only in one direction, the researchers inserted a molecule called “coralyne” into the DNA. This resulted in a current whose negative voltage was 15 times stronger than it’s positive.

Binggian Xu, the study’s lead author settled on DNA for miniscule components since silicon doesn’t allow to design such ridiculously small components.

Here’s what he had to say on the matter, “For 50 years, we have been able to place more and more computing power onto smaller and smaller chips, but we are now pushing the physical limits of silicon. If silicon-based chips become much smaller, their performance will become unstable and unpredictable.”

The efforts made by Xu and his team could eventually give rise to nanoscale electronics. It could also lead to miniaturization of advanced devices as engineers will be able to cram more components and create smaller gadgets.