Program Manager: Dr. Cindy Daniell
 The Applications of Molecular Electronics (MoleApps) Program is developing ultra-dense logic and sensing systems within two thrust areas:
Ultra-Dense Molecular Electronic Computer Processor: Early MoleApps computing goals included the development and demonstration of a programmable nanoprocessor system with an ultra-high density memory array. The computational system was to be integrated on the molecular scale and occupy a total area of only 100 square microns. While parallel industry developments have signified diminishing returns for the completion of a nanoprocessor system, MoleApps performers have stayed at the forefront of nanotechnology initiatives and surpassed program goals. Performers have produced defect-tolerant architectures, molecular switches that feature significantly reduced gate size (in the ~10nm range), increased intrinsic circuit switching speeds, and reduced circuit leakage currents. Surpassing Moore’s Law estimates, MoleApps contributions include the densest memory circuit fabricated to date, which occupies a total area equivalent to one white blood cell, or 13x13 microns^2 in size. MoleApps has successfully demonstrated that an integrated circuit (IC), with the complexity of an Intel 4004, will be producible on the nanoscale in the near future.
MoleSensing―Ultra-Dense Molecular Electronic Sensor System: The MoleApps sensor thrust has demonstrated the potential of a nanosensor system, based on the unique electrical properties of nanowires that are capable of detecting chemical/biological agents with greater sensitivity and selectivity than current state-of-the-art detectors. To achieve these objectives, individual nanosensors have been tailored to detect single molecules and individual pathogens. Researchers are currently cataloging nanowire signatures of a variety of molecular sized organisms and compounds and have developed metrics for unique identification including signal amplitude and incident contact duration. Further research may enable the warfighter to identify and counter nuclear, biological and chemical (NBC) threats quickly and locally.
Additional program achievements include―
- Great strides in the modeling, simulation, and understanding of nanoscale phenomenology.
- Innovations in drug delivery through nanoparticles, select gene knockout, and portable sensing and testing devices.
- Research in harvesting excess vibration energy from nanowires, and converting this energy into electricity.
- Developments in Dip Pen Nanolithography (DPN) technology that provides fabrication capability for prototyping and production to a wider range of manufactures. This technology is making inroads into field fabrication of micro-electronics, promising to increase field repair capabilities of military units stationed around the world.
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