Towards molecular photochemionics (original) (raw)
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Reversible electronic transduction of photonic processes occurring on electrodes is the conceptual method to develop molecular and biomolecular optoelectronic systems. Cyclic photochemical activation of molecular or biomolecular monolayer redox-functions provides a general methodology for the amperometric transduction of photonic information that is recorded by the chemical assembly. Alternatively, photoisomerizable monolayers associated with electrodes act as "command interfaces" for controlling the interfacial electron transfer between molecular redox-species or redox-proteins. The systems use a photonic input for the generation of an electronic output and act as information processing assemblies. Programmed arrays of photosensitizer/electron acceptor cross-linked Au-nanoparticle arrays are assembled on indium tin oxide (ITO) for photoelectrochemical applications.
All-Photonic Multifunctional Molecular Logic Device
Journal of the American Chemical Society, 2011
Photochromes are photoswitchable, bistable chromophores which, like transistors, can implement binary logic operations. When several photochromes are combined in one molecule, interactions between them such as energy and electron transfer allow design of simple Boolean logic gates and more complex logic devices with all-photonic inputs and outputs. Selective isomerization of individual photochromes can be achieved using light of different wavelengths, and logic outputs can employ absorption and emission properties at different wavelengths, thus allowing a single molecular species to perform several different functions, even simultaneously. Here, we report a molecule consisting of three linked photochromes that can be configured as AND, XOR, INH, half-adder, half-subtractor, multiplexer, demultiplexer, encoder, decoder, keypad lock, and logically reversible transfer gate logic devices, all with a common initial state. The system demonstrates the advantages of light-responsive molecules as multifunctional, reconfigurable nanoscale logic devices that represent an approach to true molecular information processing units.
Light-powered molecular devices and machines
Photochemical & Photobiological Sciences, 2010
One century ago Giacomo Ciamician predicted that photochemistry would have had a wealth of useful applications, starting from the conversion of solar energy into fuels. Most of Ciamician's predictions have not yet been achieved, but in the last decade outstanding progress concerning the interaction between light and molecules has led to the creation of artificial photochemical molecular devices and machines capable of using light as an energy supply (to sustain energy-expensive functions) or as an input signal (to be processed and/or stored). This paper illustrates (i) the principles of photochemical molecular devices for information processing, with a few examples of memories, logic functions, and encoding/decoding systems; (ii) the operational mechanisms of light-powered molecular machines, with some examples of rotary motors, shuttles, valves, and switchable boxes; and (iii) the recent progress made in the design and construction of the components of artificial photosynthetic systems. The use of photons to convert abundant low energy molecules into high energy valuable compounds, and to read, write, and erase smart molecular and supramolecular systems for information processing is likely to play a fundamental role for the progress of mankind.
Nanostructure Science and Technology, 2004
As discussed in the previous chapter, the limits of silicon-based computer technology (microelectronics) are fast approaching. Alternative technologies are thus being investigated.
Molecules, semiconductors, light and information: Towards future sensing and computing paradigms
Coordination Chemistry Reviews, 2018
Over the last few years we have witnessed a great progress in the research devoted to unconventional computing-an unorthodox approach to information handling. It includes both novel algorithms and computing paradigms as well as completely new elements of circuitry: whole organisms (e.g., Physarum species), DNA, enzymes, various biomolecules, molecular and nanoparticulate materials. One of the biggest challenges in this field is the realisation of in-materio computing-i.e., the utilisation of properties of pristine materials, instead of high-tech structures-for advanced information processing. In this review we present recent achievements in the design of logic devices (binary, ternary and fuzzy) implemented in molecular and nanoscale components, photoelectrochemical chemosensing, photoactive memristive devices and reservoir computing systems. A common denominator for all these devices is the involvement of molecular species, semiconducting nanoparticles and light in information processing.
Light-driven molecular switches and motors
Applied Physics A, 2002
Technology is omnipresent in our modern-day society and it is hard to imagine a world without machines, computers or robots. One of the main current scientific challenges is the bottom-up construction of systems that represent nanosize analogues of switches, devices and motors. Our efforts in this area have focussed on the construction of devices based on sterically overcrowded alkenes. In this paper, we present our ongoing research on the construction of binary molecular switches, which has recently led to genuine molecular motors. The control of chirality in a molecular switching system allows interconversion between molecules of opposite helicity using different wavelengths of light. Such bistable chiral switches are of potential use in optical data storage and processing at the molecular level. The control of molecular chirality is even more subtle in the case of molecular motor systems. The exquisite control of chirality using light as an energy source has resulted in a controlled, repetitive 360 • unidirectional rotation in two generations of molecular motor systems.