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MMO连接到自上而下的光刻定义CMOS架构中，最终目标是实现数据存储和处理的分子限制：即实现无机单分子晶体管。我们的建议是独特的，因为：（i）它确定了一类新的固有CMOS兼容和功能分子，以前没有被考虑（ii）它旨在解决可扩展性、接口、稳定性和可再现性的关键实用性，这些实用性通常被简单地用于构建单个演示设备的方案所忽略;及（iii）由一个在分子合成、建模及器件制造方面具有互补专业知识的紧密合作团队所支持。该项目具有高度的创造性和冒险性，提出无机分子可以可靠地用于制造纳米电子器件，这些器件利用分子的固有电子特性作为可切换的分子半导体（EPSRC成功特征1）。它支持各级人才-从高级教授到早期职业研究人员-在高度支持和协作的背景下（EPSRC成功特征2）。最初，我们建议设计的混合器件结合嵌入CMOS与MEMS的，并检查“散装”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技术中，使我们能够解决实际问题，并在这个新领域开发专有技术，在缩小到“超越摩尔”的尺寸，缩小到分子极限之前，通过合作实现研究基地和工业之间的双向知识流动（建立合作，实现研究基础和行业之间的双向知识流动（EPSRC成功特征3），同时该提案鼓励和支持跨学科的研究（EPSRC成功特征4）。对单个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器件的电子特性，并通过与利益相关者共同开发对未来主要挑战和机遇的共同愿景，推动我们实现可大规模生产的可行纳米电子学：社会、工业、大学和其他合作伙伴（EPSRC成功特征5）。我们的目标是表明MMO-CMOS（本文称为M-MOS）可以与“嵌入”分子单元一起工作，我们计划实现单分子极限。这种潜力将在格拉斯哥纳米EPSRC KTA内进行评估和开发（EP/H500138/1）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，从而更好地了解我们应该把精力集中在哪里，使英国社会和英国经济受益，并提高其全球竞争力。（ESPRC成功特征6）。最后，该计划将直接培养7名PDRA和4名博士，并间接培养8名博士和24名本科生/伊拉斯谟学生，从而在英国培养和维持研究科学家和工程师，使他们在世界范围内被公认为各自领域的领导者。（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).