Organic molecules form rare lattice with topological edge states

Researchers from Japan's NIMS, several Japanese universities and Germany's Kiel University assembled triptycene derivatives into a two-dimensional diatomic Kagome lattice and used scanning tunneling microscopy to detect electronic states confined to its edges. Published in Nano Letters on Sept. 2, 2026, the work shows organic molecular assemblies can host topological behavior usually seen in inorganic materials.

• Propeller-shaped triptycene molecules were assembled into a diatomic Kagome lattice
• Scanning tunneling microscopy revealed edge states, confirmed as topological by theory
• Strong electronic coupling between neighboring molecules enabled the behavior
• Findings appeared in Nano Letters on Sept. 2, 2026; team included NIMS and Kiel University