Final Report Summary - E-GAMES (Surface Self-Assembled Molecular Electronic Devices: Logic Gates, Memories and Sensors)
Within e-GAMES project, we have used organic molecules to fabricate electronic devices following two different approaches:
1) Single molecules as active components.
The use of single molecules as active electronic components offer great expectations for the miniaturization of devices and for they compatibility with biological systems. In e-GAMES, single electroactive molecules have been anchored on conducting surfaces. By applying a voltage to the functionalized surfaces the redox states of the molecules can be modified and thus, the magnetic, optic, electrical and chemical properties can be changed and exploited to read the state of the switch. These systems have been employed to fabricate memories and also to control the surface chemical properties and wettability in order to, for instance, control water actuation. This is of high interest for the development of lab-on-a-chip sensors. Further, the transport mechanisms in single molecules have been investigated once the molecules have been integrated in devices for the development of conceptually new memory devices.
2) Large area and flexible devices.
Organic-based materials with relevant electrical properties are raising an increasing interest for their potential in applications that require large area coverage, low cost and flexibility. Thin films of organic semiconductors have been used as active components in organic transistors. We have demonstrated the fabrication of high performing devices that have been prepared using low cost techniques compatible with up scaling that exhibit an exceptional stability in air. In order to achieve high performance devices, it has been crucial to realize an in-depth study of the required properties of the materials such as thin film morphology, crystal structure or electronic properties. Organic electronic devices that respond to light, deformation or chemical pollutants have also been demonstrated. These results bring new fundamental perspectives in the field and also elucidate the potential of exploiting these devices for the development of low-cost and accessible sensing devices.
1) Single molecules as active components.
The use of single molecules as active electronic components offer great expectations for the miniaturization of devices and for they compatibility with biological systems. In e-GAMES, single electroactive molecules have been anchored on conducting surfaces. By applying a voltage to the functionalized surfaces the redox states of the molecules can be modified and thus, the magnetic, optic, electrical and chemical properties can be changed and exploited to read the state of the switch. These systems have been employed to fabricate memories and also to control the surface chemical properties and wettability in order to, for instance, control water actuation. This is of high interest for the development of lab-on-a-chip sensors. Further, the transport mechanisms in single molecules have been investigated once the molecules have been integrated in devices for the development of conceptually new memory devices.
2) Large area and flexible devices.
Organic-based materials with relevant electrical properties are raising an increasing interest for their potential in applications that require large area coverage, low cost and flexibility. Thin films of organic semiconductors have been used as active components in organic transistors. We have demonstrated the fabrication of high performing devices that have been prepared using low cost techniques compatible with up scaling that exhibit an exceptional stability in air. In order to achieve high performance devices, it has been crucial to realize an in-depth study of the required properties of the materials such as thin film morphology, crystal structure or electronic properties. Organic electronic devices that respond to light, deformation or chemical pollutants have also been demonstrated. These results bring new fundamental perspectives in the field and also elucidate the potential of exploiting these devices for the development of low-cost and accessible sensing devices.