MIT Moves Beyond Silicon with Molecular Chips
Because their atomic structures can be precisely engineered, molecules could enable computing, sensing, photonic, and quantum devices that are smaller, faster, and more efficient than today's silicon-based technology. But there is a problem standing in the way — while we are capable of designing the molecules that we need, there is no practical way to integrate them into electronic devices without destroying them during fabrication.
Researchers at MIT believe they have solved that problem with a new manufacturing technique that combines conventional semiconductor fabrication with molecular self-assembly. Rather than trying to get fragile molecular materials to survive the harsh chemicals and processing steps used to manufacture chips, the team builds almost the entire device first and introduces the molecules only at the final stage.
In a test of the process, the team fabricated metal electrodes using standard semiconductor manufacturing techniques. The electrodes are separated by an extremely small gap, and...
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