Chemists and engineers are building working computer circuits out of single molecules of metal oxides, aiming to shrink transistors down to their absolute physical limit. Today’s silicon transistors are approaching a size where they cannot be made smaller without leaking current or overheating. This project tackles that fundamental roadblock by introducing a new class of inorganic molecules—molecular metal oxides—that can switch like a semiconductor and are compatible with existing chip-manufacturing processes. Unlike most molecular electronics efforts, which stop at a single demonstration device, this work addresses the practical hurdles of mass production: stability, reproducibility, and how to connect these molecular components to conventional CMOS wiring. If successful, the approach could extend the decades-long trend of ever-smaller, more powerful electronics beyond the point where silicon alone can go. That would affect every system that relies on microchips—from data centres and communications networks to medical sensors and energy grids—by enabling denser, faster, and more energy-efficient computing. The project is fundamentally exploratory: it tests whether inorganic molecules can reliably serve as switchable units in real circuits, a question that, if answered, could reshape how the next generation of nanoelectronics is designed and manufactured.
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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).
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