The crystal computer - computing with inorganic cellular frameworks and nets

Symes, M.D. and Cronin, L. (2011) The crystal computer - computing with inorganic cellular frameworks and nets. International Journal of Nanotechnology and Molecular Computation, 3(1), pp. 24-34. (doi: 10.4018/jnmc.2011010103)

Abstract

The enormous potential of parallel computing has led to the first prototype devices being constructed. However, all the examples to date rely on complicated chemical and/or physical manipulations, and hence do not lend themselves to the kind of widespread investigation necessary to advance the field. This article presents a new paradigm for parallel computing: the use of solid, single crystalline materials as cellular automata suggesting the idea of the “Crystal Computer,” now possible due to a new class of crystalline cellular materials that undergo single-crystal-to-single-crystal (SC-SC) oxidation and reduction (REDOX) reactions. Two avenues are proposed for investigation: reversible single-crystal to single-crystal electronic transformations and solid-state spin transfer within spin-crossover complexes. Both schemes allow computation to occur in three dimensions, within cheap and easy to assemble materials and using commonplace techniques for input and readout.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Symes, Professor Mark and Cronin, Professor Lee
• Authors: Symes, M.D., and Cronin, L.
• Subjects: Q Science > QD Chemistry
• College/School: College of Science and Engineering > School of Chemistry
• Journal Name: International Journal of Nanotechnology and Molecular Computation
• Publisher: IGI Global
• ISSN: 1941-6318
• ISSN (Online): 1941-6326
• Published Online: 01 November 2011