A Study of Massively Parallel Molecular Computing - Creating IntBrconnection'Free Computers -

VLSI电路复杂性的指数增长导致互连问题变得特别严重。本研究计画从积体电路技术与基础电脑科学的观点，探讨无连线分子计算的可能性。以下是本项目的主要成果：1.提出了一种用于分子计算的人工催化器件的基本模型，并探讨了器件实现的一些可能途径。我们研究了一种可能性，实现大规模并行计算使用人工催化剂设备，这是在二维基板上制造的集体行为引起的反应扩散动力学。作为演示所提出的概念的第一步，我们开发了一个实验模型的氧化还原微阵列组成的二维阵列的铂微电极，其中每个工作作为一个人工催化剂装置。我们证实了氧化还原微阵列可以在微阵列表面的薄层液体中控制可逆的氧化还原反应，并且可以实现人工可激发反应的扩散动力学。我们成功地观察到了活跃的化学波在液体层中的传播.我们研究了一种系统的方法来设计人工反应扩散动力学，以执行特定的图像/图案处理。我们采用了数字反应扩散系统（DRDS）的框架-一类特殊的多维数字滤波器具有图案/纹理形成能力-进行理论讨论。提出了一种新的基于DRDS的纹理图像（如指纹图像）恢复算法。我们还开发了一个基于可激发DRDS的任意二维/三维映射的最短路径搜索算法。进一步研究设计分子计算系统的系统方法是未来的研究课题。

The exponential growth of VLSI circuit complexity causes interconnection problems to become particularly severe. This research project is to investigate a possibility of interconnectionfree molecular computing from the viewpoint of integrated circuit technlogy as well as fundametal computer science. Listed below are major results of this project:1. We proposed a basic model of artificial catalyst devices for molecular computing, and investigated some possible approaches to device implementation. We investigated a possibility of realizing massively parallel computation using reaction-diffusion dynamics induced by a collective behavior of artificial catalyst devices, which are fabricated on a 2D substrate. As a first step for demonstrating the proposed concept, we developed an experimental model of a redox microarray consisting of a two-dimensional array of platinum microelectrodes, each of which works as an artificial catalyst device. We confirmed that the redox microarray could control reversible redox reactions in a thin liquid layer on the surface of the array, and could realize artificial excitable reacton diffusion-dynamics. We successfully observed active chemical-wave propagation within the liquid layer.2. We investigated a systematic way of designing artificial reactiondiffusion dynamics for performong specific image/pattern processing. We employed the framework of Digital Rraction Diffusion Systems (DRDSs) --- a special class of multidimensional digital filters having pattern/texture formation capability --- for theoretical discussion. Wedveloped a new restoration algorithm for texture images, such as fingerprint images, on the basis of DRDS. We also developed a shortest path search algorithm for arbitrary 2D/3D maps using excitable DRDSs.Further investigations on a systematic way of designing molecular computing systems are deing left as future research subjects.