Atomic-scale skeletal editing removes single atom from molecular core, streamlining advanced materials/ pharmaceuticals development

https://phys.org/news/2026-01-molecular-surgery-deleting-atom-molecule.html

"modifying molecule's outer edges is common, but difficult to do with molecular core which is highly stable... overcome applying voltage pulses using scanning probe microscope tip, at –268 °C, removing specific atoms...deleted 1 oxygen atom: forced to periphery or be removed entirely from 20 carbon atoms' organic precursor molecule... transforms skeleton without rebuilding entire structure... drug discovery, plastic upcycling, creation of unstable molecules not existing in standard liquid-phase chemistry"

Related: Electron beams guide atomic-scale structural transformations in crystals
https://phys.org/news/2026-01-electron-atomic-scale-crystals.html