News Chemistry Molecules, like Tinkertoys, link up By Jessica Gorman October 18, 2001 at 9:48 am - More than 2 years ago Share this:Share Share via email (Opens in new window) Email Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook Share on Reddit (Opens in new window) Reddit Share on X (Opens in new window) X Print (Opens in new window) Print By developing a novel way to make molecules assemble themselves, researchers may Scanning tunneling microscopy shows porphyrin molecules that self-assembled into wires. Nature have opened a new route to microscopic devices, including nanoscale electronics. Like Tinkertoys or Lincoln Logs, the molecules connect to each other only at certain points. As a result, the molecules build into predictable shapes.