There is provided a first reservoir containing a liquid solution including
a molecule to be characterized and a second reservoir for containing a
liquid solution including a molecule that has been characterized. A solid
state support structure is provided including an aperture having a
molecular entrance providing a fluidic connection to the first reservoir
and a molecular exit providing a fluidic connection to the second
reservoir. First and second electron transport probes are each disposed
on the support structure with a surface abutting a perimeter of the
aperture. At least one of the probes comprises a fullerene structure,
e.g., a carbon nanotube. A voltage source is connected between the probes
to apply a voltage bias across the aperture. An electrical current
monitor is connected between the probes for monitoring changes in
electron transport between the probes corresponding to translocation of a
molecule through the aperture.