Switching devices based on interlocked molecules

An architectural rationale and an experimental program aimed at the develop ment of molecular electronics switching devices for memory and computing ap plications are discussed. Two-terminal molecular Switch tunnel junctions ar e identified as the critical device components of molecular electronics-bas ed circuitry. They can be tiled in two dimensions and are tolerant of manuf acturing defects. Singly and multiply configurable solid-state switching de vices that are based upon electrochemically switchable molecular and supram olecular systems are discussed in terms of both the synthesis of the molecu lar components and the fabrication and performance of the devices.