Researchers are working on a way to compute using long-distance interactions between individual molecules.

Interactions between individual molecules on a metal surface extend for surprisingly large distances - up to several nanometers.

A new study finds that the changing shape of electronic states induced by these interactions could be used to make molecules into individually addressable units.

For example, in a future computer based on this technology, the state of each individual molecule could be controlled, mirroring binary operation of transistors in current computing.

More technical details are accessible here.