Collaborative Research: Single Molecular Devices for Molecular Nanocomputing: Synthesis, Device Fabrication and Theory

合作研究：用于分子纳米计算的单分子器件：合成、器件制造和理论随着当前硅互补的金属氧化物半导体(CMOS)技术不断提高现代计算机的速度、容量和计算能力，它接近处理器无法再制造更小、更快和更便宜的基本极限。这个合作项目将研究单分子电子设备作为分子纳米计算的基本构件，分子纳米计算是一种新兴的技术，用于超越cmos集成电路的下一代信息系统。通过将有机合成(芝加哥大学的Yu小组)、器件制造和电学表征(亚利桑那州立大学的Tao小组)以及纳米理论/模型(南佛罗里达大学的Oleynik小组)方面的免费专业知识聚集在一起，该小组将专注于利用纳米科学和工程的基本原理在原子和分子水平上开发创新的计算机技术。这一高风险、高回报的研究领域有望在开发更快、更小的计算机芯片方面取得革命性的进展，超越传统的硅CMOS技术。研究计划包括三个主要推动力：(1)合成将用作二极管、晶体管、开关和信息存储元件的新的“设计者”分子，并在理论/建模的帮助下，建立分子的化学性质和由此产生的电子性质之间的结构/性质关系。(2)利用扫描隧道显微镜(STM)、导电原子力显微镜(AFM)和电化学断裂结将这些“设计者”分子组装成纳米电路，用于单分子器件的电学表征，并利用电化学门控结合理论指导来控制这些分子中的电子传输。(3)利用电子和空穴共振隧穿导电理论建立特定分子器件的基本工作原理，研究分子/电极接触、负阻开关、分子场效应和双极型晶体管。紧密结合、垂直整合的研究和教育活动将提供一个独特的机会，培养下一代科学家和工程师，他们将把超越摩尔定律的科学付诸实践。

Collaborative Research: Single Molecular Devices for Molecular Nanocomputing: Synthesis, Device Fabrication and TheoryAs the current silicon complimentary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) technology continues to increase the speed, capacity and computational power of modern computers, it approaches the fundamental limit at which processors can no longer be made smaller, faster and cheaper. This collaborative project will investigate single-molecule electronic devices as fundamental building blocks for molecular nanocomputing, an emerging technology for the next generation of information systems beyond CMOS integrated circuitry. By bringing together the complimentary expertises in organic synthesis (the Yu group at the University of Chicago), device fabrication and electrical characterization (the Tao group at the Arizona State University), and nanoscale theory/modeling (the Oleynik group at the University of South Florida) into a synergistic effort, the team will focus on the development of innovative computer technologies at the atomic and molecular levels using fundamental principles of nanoscience and engineering. This high-risk, high-return area of research promises revolutionary advances in developing faster and smaller computer chips beyond conventional silicon CMOS technology.The research program includes three major thrusts: (1) to synthesize new "designer" molecules that will function as diodes, transistors, switches and information storage elements and with the help of theory/modeling to establish a structure/property relationship between a molecule's chemical nature and resulting electronic properties. (2) to assemble these "designer" molecules into nanocircuitry using STM, conducting AFM, and electrochemical break junctions for electrical characterization of single-molecule devices, and to control the electron transport in these molecules using electrochemical gating combined with the guidance from theory. (3) to develop fundamental operational principles of specific molecular devices using the theory of electron and hole resonant tunneling conduction, and to investigate molecule/electrode contacts, negative differential resistance switches, molecular field effect and bipolar transistors. The tightly coupled, vertically integrated research and educational activities will provide a unique opportunity to nurture the next generation of scientists and engineers who will put the science beyond Moore's law into practice.