Karl‐Heinz Ernst
Papers
1
Total Citations
762
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1
About
Karl-Heinz Ernst is a pioneer in molecular nanotechnology and surface science, best known for experimentally demonstrating the first electrically driven molecular motor on a metal surface. His landmark 2011 study, cited over 760 times, showed that a four-wheeled molecule could be propelled in a controlled direction by tunneling electrons from an STM tip—a breakthrough that bridged synthetic chemistry and nanomechanics. Ernst’s research focuses on chiral surfaces, molecular self-assembly, and single-molecule manipulation, where he has elucidated how molecular structure dictates motion and recognition at the atomic scale. His work has profound implications for designing molecular machines, nano-robotics, and smart materials. With a career spanning decades at the Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology (Empa) and the University of Zurich, Ernst has authored over 200 publications, many garnering hundreds of citations. He is also recognized for his contributions to understanding chirality in two-dimensional systems, earning him the title of a leading figure in molecular-scale engineering. For students and researchers, Ernst’s work exemplifies how fundamental surface chemistry can unlock revolutionary technologies.
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Top Papers
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