Indian Scientists Harness Cholesterol to Power Future Electronic Devices

New Delhi – Cholesterol, long associated with heart disease, may now hold the key to powering next-generation electronic technologies. Scientists at the Institute of Nano Science and Technology (INST), Mohali — an autonomous body under the Department of Science and Technology (DST) — have demonstrated the potential of cholesterol-based nanomaterials in spintronics and quantum technologies.

The research team, led by Dr. Amit Kumar Mondal, found that cholesterol can control the spin of electrons—a quantum property crucial for developing energy-efficient spintronic devices. Thanks to its inherent chirality (handedness) and structural flexibility, cholesterol enables precise control over molecular behavior.

Their study revealed that cholesterol-based nanomaterials can manipulate electron spin, a breakthrough that could transform the future of electronics. By integrating cholesterol with different metal ions, the researchers created nanomaterials capable of selectively filtering electron spins.

Remarkably, both spin directions could be controlled within a single system. With a simple chemical modification or achiral stimulus, the team was able to fine-tune the flow of spin information. The findings, published in the journal Chemistry of Materials, highlight a new way to achieve chemical tunability in electron spin control.

“This provides an elegant and highly precise method for manipulating spin information, marking a major step forward in using biomaterials for advanced quantum and spin technologies,” the scientists noted.

Such advances could pave the way for energy-efficient memory chips, greener technologies, and bioelectronic devices, as spin-based materials offer unparalleled precision in separating and controlling molecules.

With inputs from IANS