Advancements in Nanotechnology: Controlling Chemical Reactions at the Atomic Level

**Controlling matter at the atomic level** has reached a new milestone, thanks to groundbreaking research led by physicists at the University of Bath. Scientists have demonstrated the ability to influence the outcomes of competing chemical reactions using the atomic precision of a scanning tunneling microscope (STM). STM technology allows researchers to reposition single atoms and molecules, and even control the likelihood of specific reaction pathways in individual molecules. **Why is this important?** Controlling reaction outcomes means improving the efficiency and sustainability of pharmaceutical processes by reducing unwanted byproducts. For instance, during drug synthesis, controlling outcomes like cyclisation over polymerisation can produce the desired therapeutic compound more effectively. **How does STM work?** Unlike conventional microscopes, STM does not rely on light. Instead, it uses a fine tip — as fine as a single atom — that hovers over a surface, measuring electric current to map the surface's properties. By injecting electrons into molecules, scientists can control how chemical bonds break and steer outcomes of reactions. **Key Findings:** - The study successfully demonstrated control over reaction outcomes by manipulating electron energy levels. - By maintaining identical initial reaction conditions and varying only the energy of injected electrons, researchers achieved high precision control over reaction probabilities. - This approach opens doors to programmable molecular systems, with applications in medicine, clean energy, and more. The research, published in Nature Communications, represents a pioneering understanding of reaction probabilities and a promising step toward leveraging nanotechnology for advances in various fields.