Molecular computational elements encode large populations of small objects

Silva, A. Prasanna de; James, Mark; McKinney, Bernadine O. F.; Pears, D. A.; Weir, Sheenagh M.

doi:10.1038/nmat1733

Cited by 226 publications

(47 citation statements)

References 27 publications

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“…The group of de Silva reported the use of fluorescent tags, which are operated in binary and multivalued modes. [83] They decorated resin beads of Tentagel-S with a series of PET-active and -inactive anthracene derivatives, which mimic YES, NOT, PASS 0, and PASS 1 gates. The one-input operations were realized through pH changes and reading out of the characteristic blue anthracene fluorescence.…”

Section: Perspectives Beyond Computingmentioning

confidence: 99%

Digital Operations with Molecules - Advances, Challenges, and Perspectives

Pischel

2010

Aust. J. Chem.

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This Review gives a short introduction into molecular logic and focusses then on the latest advances in the field. With regard to complex logic circuits and functions, molecular devices for arithmetic processing (adders and subtractors), multiplexers/demultiplexers, and encoders/decoders are discussed. Further on, the concept of memory for data storage and sequential logic is considered together with the latest results on molecular keypad locks. Molecular logic has been often connected to the future aim of molecular computing. However, albeit the herein described approaches constitute a starting point, major challenges like concatenation of gates, solid state devices and compartmentalization, and alternative concepts (reversible logic, multivalued logic) are waiting ahead. These points are included, as well as a view on alternative applications of molecular logic in bio-inspired approaches, combinatorial chemistry, and materials science. Logic with Molecular Switches -IntroductionModern information technology is based on two simple numbers: 0 and 1. Electrical signals, which are processed in any computer, can take one of both states. In practice a threshold is defined, such that a very low signal value corresponds to 0 and a signal above this limit translates into a 1. This is also known as positive logic convention, while negative logic holds for the opposite scenario. Albeit we are generally biased to connect logic with computers and, therefore, electrical signals, the concept of logic is valid for any system that can distinguish between two or more discrete states for input and output signals. In the case of binary logic a simple bistable system is sufficient, no matter what type of signal is processed (inputs) and what type of answer (output) is generated. Thus, it is absolutely legitimate to consider, for example, photonic and chemical signals.Since early works on molecular chemosensors that change their fluorescence upon pH changes or addition of metal cations, [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10] the design of photoionic molecular systems has become extremely popular. [11] Molecular architectures, which integrate a fluorophore signalling unit and a receptor for analyte (chemical input) recognition, have enjoyed preference because of their modular design and the rather straightforward prediction of their photophysical behaviour. With relatively few excited state communication mechanisms like photoinduced electron Uwe Pischel studied Chemistry at the Technical University Dresden and the Humboldt University Berlin, where he graduated in 1998. In 2001, he obtained his Ph.D. from the University of Basel under supervision of Professor Werner M. Nau. After a short postdoctoral stay at the Polytechnical University Valencia with Professor Miguel A. Miranda, he started his independent career as a group leader in 2003. Currently he holds a permanent position as Profesor Contratado Doctor of Organic Chemistry at the University of Huelva in the south of Spain. His main research interests are fluorescent molecular switches a...

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Section: Perspectives Beyond Computingmentioning

confidence: 99%

Digital Operations with Molecules - Advances, Challenges, and Perspectives

Pischel

2010

Aust. J. Chem.

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“…Moreover, a method based on molecular logic gates for tagging and identifying small objects in a large population has been proposed as a ready-to-use application for combinatorial chemistry. [27] It should be noted that computing devices based on (supra)molecular species and "soft" matter represent a radically different approach to information processing with respect to computers made from solid-state semiconductors. Therefore, comparisons between these types of systems should be made with care and, for certain aspects, may not make much sense.…”

Section: Angewandte Chemiementioning

confidence: 99%

Molecules That Make Decisions

2007

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“…However, recent work showed that molecular logic devices could be interesting for specific applications in fields such as diagnostics, [10] medicine, [11] and materials science. [12] In fact, there are problems that not only can be solved by simple computations that are at hand for current molecular processors, but also need to be addressed in places where a silicon-based computer cannot go (e.g. inside a cell or in a membrane).…”

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confidence: 99%