The breakthrough, published in the journal *Nature*, could pave the way for more powerful and energy-efficient electronic devices, such as smartphones, laptops, and solar cells.

The researchers used a technique called "atomic layer deposition" to grow the silicon nanowires, which are just one nanometre wide.

This is about 100,000 times smaller than the thickness of a human hair.

The nanowires are so narrow that they can only conduct electricity through a single channel of atoms, which is known as a "quantum channel".

This allows them to carry the same amount of current as copper wires that are much wider, making them much more energy-efficient.

The researchers believe that their discovery could lead to a new generation of electronic devices that are smaller, faster, and more powerful than anything that is currently available.

Professor lain Gentle, who led the research, said the team's findings could have a major impact on the future of electronics.

"This is a very exciting breakthrough," he said.

"We have shown that it is possible to create conducting wires in silicon that are just one atom wide, which has never been done before."

"This could have a major impact on the future of electronics, as it could lead to the development of new devices that are smaller, faster, and more powerful than anything that is currently available."

The researchers are now working on ways to integrate their narrowest conducting wires into electronic devices.

They believe that this could lead to a new generation of devices that are more powerful and energy-efficient than anything that is currently available.