Status and Trends in Molecular Electronics

Abstract

Miniaturization of integrated circuits is happening at a rapid pace since the last two decades. Physical limits are beginning to saturate the growth of Si-CMOS technology and have prompted technologists to look for alternative approaches for miniaturization. Molecular Electronics is proving to be a viable option to fabricating high-density circuits, leveraging properties of organic molecules. Carbon nanotubes, polyphenylenes, porphyrins and DNA strands are some of the molecules that are being actively researched upon. In this article the current status of research in the area of molecular electronics is reviewed, and the roadblocks identified using an extensive database of research in this area. The current research efforts in the area of molecular electronics at IIT Bombay are also briefly discussed.