The origin of organic magnets

Electrical engineers are starting to consider materials made from organic molecules — including those made from carbon atoms — as an intriguing alternative to the silicon and metals used currently in electronic devices, since they are easier and cheaper to produce. A RIKEN-led research team has now demonstrated the origin of magnetism in organic molecules, a property that is rarely found in this class of material, but is vital if a full range of organic electronic devices is to be created.