INST Mohali scientists show cholesterol-based materials can control electron spin for spintronics
Scientists at the Institute of Nano Science and Technology (INST), Mohali, have shown that cholesterol-based nanomaterials can control electron spin, opening a route to energy-efficient spintronic devices, the DST said on 8 September 2025.
Summary
Scientists at the Institute of Nano Science and Technology (INST), Mohali, an autonomous institute of the Department of Science and Technology, have introduced cholesterol-based nanomaterials as platforms for quantum technologies and spintronic applications, the DST announced on 8 September 2025. Cholesterol's intrinsic handedness (chirality) and flexibility make it suitable for building supramolecular spintronic materials. The team led by Dr. Amit Kumar Mondal combined metal ions with the organic framework and showed that adjusting the kind and concentration of metal ions tunes how well the material separates electrons by spin orientation. The findings were published in the journal Chemistry of Materials.
Key facts
- Institute
- INST Mohali (autonomous institute of DST)
- Lead scientist
- Dr. Amit Kumar Mondal
- Material
- Cholesterol-based nanomaterials with metal ions
- Key property
- Chirality (handedness) used to control electron spin
- Application
- Energy-efficient spintronic and quantum devices
- Journal
- Chemistry of Materials
Practice MCQs 2 questions
Scientists at INST Mohali reported in September 2025 that cholesterol-based nanomaterials could be used in which emerging technology?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — Spintronics
INST Mohali introduced cholesterol-based nanomaterials as platforms for quantum technologies and spintronic applications.
Which property of cholesterol makes it an ideal platform for the spin-controlling materials developed at INST Mohali?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — Intrinsic handedness (chirality)
The release said cholesterol's intrinsic handedness (chirality) and flexibility enable precise control over molecular properties.