Molecular-Metal-Oxide-nanoelectronicS (M-MOS): Achieving the Molecular Limit

我们的愿景是展示使用分子金属氧化物(MMO)的功能电路，将自组装的MMO连接到自上而下、光刻定义的CMOS体系结构中，最终目标是实现数据存储和处理的分子极限：即实现无机、单分子晶体管。我们的建议是独一无二的，因为：(I)它确定了一类新的本质上与CMOS兼容的功能分子，这些分子以前从未被认为(甚至是获得专利)用于‘Beyond-Moore’应用；(Ii)它旨在解决可伸缩性、接口、稳定性和重复性等关键实用问题，这些问题在旨在构建单一演示设备的计划中经常被省略；以及(Iii)它由一个在分子合成、建模和设备制造方面具有互补专业知识的强有力的合作团队支持。该项目具有很高的创造性和探险性，提出无机分子可以可靠地用于制造纳米电子器件，这些器件利用分子作为可切换分子半导体的固有电子特性(EPSRC成功特征1)。它在高度支持和协作的背景下支持各级人才--从高级教授到早期职业研究人员(EPSRC成功特征2)。最初，我们建议设计结合嵌入双稳态MMOS的CMOS型混合器件，并研究块状和纳米分子半导体单元之间的相互作用。我们的方法既创新又实用，因为它将分子电子学嵌入到当前最先进的领域中，使我们能够解决这个新领域的实际问题并开发专业知识，然后通过合作实现研究基础和行业之间的知识双向流动(EPSRC成功特征3)，然后将规模缩小到“Beyond-Moore”维度降到分子极限(EPSRC成功特征4)，同时该提议鼓励和支持跨越学科边界的研究(EPSRC成功特征4)。对单个团簇和阵列的理论研究将使我们能够预测它们的行为并设计新的架构；表面研究和器件测量将使我们能够评估设备的电子特性，并推动我们走向可行的纳米电子产品，这种纳米电子产品可以通过与利益相关者：社会、行业、大学和其他合作伙伴共同展望未来的主要挑战和机遇而实现大规模生产(EPSRC成功特征5)。我们的目标是证明MMO-COS(这里称为M-MOS)可以与‘嵌入的’分子单元一起工作，我们计划朝着单分子的极限发展。这一潜力将在格拉斯哥纳米EPSRC KTA(EP/H500138/1)中进行评估和开发，从而允许“实时”技术转让，使我们能够立即抓住任何商业发展机会，从而更好地理解我们应该将我们的努力集中在哪里，以造福英国社会和英国经济，并提高其全球竞争力(ESPRC成功特征6)。最后，该计划将直接培训7个PDRA和4个博士，并间接培训8个博士和24个本科生/伊拉斯谟学生，从而培养和维持英国的研究科学家和工程师，使他们在各自领域被世界公认为领导者(EPSRC成功特征7)。

Our vision is to demonstrate functional circuits using molecular metal-oxides (MMOs), connecting self-assembled MMOs into top-down, lithographically defined CMOS architectures with the ultimate aim of achieving the molecular limit in data storage and processing: i.e. realising inorganic, single molecule transistors. Our proposal is unique because: (i) it identifies a new class of inherently CMOS-compatible and functional molecules that have not previously been considered (or even patented) for 'beyond-Moore' applications; (ii) it aims to address key practicalities of scalability, interfacing, stability and reproducibility that are often omitted from schemes aiming simply to construct a single demonstrator device; and (iii) it is underpinned by a strongly-collaborative team with complementary expertise in molecular synthesis, modelling and device fabrication. This project is highly creative and adventurous, proposing that inorganic molecules could be reliably used in the fabrication of nano-electronic devices that take advantage of the intrinsic electronic properties of molecules as switchable molecular semiconductors (EPSRC success feature 1). It supports talent at all levels - from senior professors to early career researchers - in a highly supportive and collaborative context (EPSRC success feature 2). Initially, we propose to design hybrid devices combing CMOS embedded with bistable MMOs and to examine the interplay between 'bulk' and nano-molecular semiconducting units. Our approach is both innovative and practical because it embeds molecular electronics within the current the state-of-the-art, allowing us to address practical issues and develop know-how in this new field, before down-scaling to 'beyond-Moore' dimensions down to the molecular limit with collaborations that achieve a two-way flow of knowledge between the research base and industry (Building collaborations that achieve a two-way flow of knowledge between the research base and industry (EPSRC success feature 3) and at the same time this proposal encourages and supports research that crosses the borders between disciplines (EPSRC success feature 4). Theoretical studies of both single clusters and arrays will allow us to predict their behaviour and design new architectures; surface studies and device measurements will enable us to assess the electronic characteristics of devices and drive us towards viable nanoelectronics that can be mass-produced therby developing a shared vision of tomorrow's major challenges and opportunities with stakeholders: society, industry, universities and other partners (EPSRC succes feature 5). We aim to show that MMO-CMOS (herein called M-MOS) can function with 'embedded' molecular units and we plan towards the single molecule limit. This potential will be assessed and exploited within the Glasgow Nano EPSRC KTA (EP/H500138/1) allowing 'real-time' technology transfer allowing us to immediately seize any commercial development opportunities thereby building a better understanding of where we should focus our effort to benefit both UK society and the UK economy and increase its global competitiveness (ESPRC success feature 6).Finally this programme will directly train 7 PDRAs and 4 PhDs and indirectly train 8 further PhDs and 24 undergraduate / erasmus students thereby creating and sustaining research scientists and engineers in the UK so that they are recognised worldwide as leaders in their field (EPSRC success feature 7).