This project targets development of new classes of materials and structures for molecular electronics, nanoelectronics, nanophotonics and nano-optoelectronics for solar-powered, generation-after-next information technology systems. These technologies are expected to revolutionize many aspects of data collection, processing, interpretation, display and storage. Novel nanostructured materials are critically needed for implementation of these revolutionary technologies. Concomitant with these materials needs, there are needs for a theoretical foundation to guide the development of multifunctional molecular blocks, and for methods of organizing these building blocks on the nanoscale to control the relevant interactions and dynamics for a desired device function. We propose to establish a wide-ranging research program involving a multidisciplinary team of well-established researchers to address these needs. The multidisciplinary research proposed here includes theoretical modeling, chemical synthesis, processing at the nanoscale, characterization of relevant photonic and electronic properties, device fabrication and testing, and integration of the nanoscopic components into larger scale systems. The resulting molecular- and polymer-based devices will create flexible and durable solar power generating coatings on tents, planes, and uniforms, smart weapons and unmanned aerial vehicles, and dynamic stealth coatings for aircraft and satellites. These devices will provide low-cost disposable electronics and photonics for guidance systems and radiation-hardened devices for space environments, including applications in nanosatellites.

In this program we emphasize: 1) materials and structures that can potentially facilitate generation-after-next information technologies capable of providing dramatically improved speed, encryption and terabit data storage; 2) synergistic interactions among the participating institutions and DoD laboratories to facilitate continuous information exchange, to provide rapid feedback, and to monitor progress; and 3) rapid transfer of technology to the Air Force, other DoD organizations, and industries to facilitate integration of the various materials and structures into systems. Some of the necessary infrastructure is already in place.
The overall objective of the proposed research is to develop methods for rational and predictable designs of device structures at the molecular and nanoscopic levels, and to exploit these design approaches to produce next-generation materials and structures in which electron- or photon-mediated processes will be controlled to enhance the performance of a particular device and/or to create entirely new capabilities. The diverse subjects of molecular electronics, nanoelectronics, nanophotonics and nano-optoelectronics are addressed under a unified view of design criteria, which considers their common underlying principles, as well as their differences. For example, molecular and nanoelectronics represent different length scales within the nanoscopic domain. Similarly, electronics and photonics, represent two regimes of frequency response for electromagnetic signals, with optoelectronics being a hybrid of the two. Within this overarching objective the program naturally divides into two areas: (i) developing novel molecular and supramolecular structures that allow judicious tailoring of electronic and photonic interactions and dynamics, which can lead to control of channels for electron and photon (excitation) transfer; and (ii) developing new self-assembly and processing techniques to produce periodic, aperiodic and other engineered architectures on the nanoscale that can lead to cooperative amplification, broad spectral response, and new phenomena. To achieve these goals we intend to develop a fundamental understanding of the chemistry and physics of organic-based nanostructures; thus, the proposed approach places great emphasis on systematic studies of structure-property relations coupled with theoretical modeling.

To address the issues of molecular design, self-assembly of nanostructures, and engineering designs to integrate nanoscopic electronic and photonic functions into large scale systems, a unique multidisciplinary team consisting of chemists, physics and electrical engineers from five premier institutions (the University at Buffalo, Berkeley, M.I.T., Yale, and the University of Washington) has been established. The proposed program will also benefit from established collaborations and agreements with Kirtland AFB, Wright-Patterson AFB, the Naval Research Laboratory, the Air Force Academy and many industries (Kodak, Corning, Applied Materials, Lockheed Martin, Boeing and IPITEK/TACAN), which will ensure efficient transfer of technology for dual (DoD/civilian) applications. The existing three-way collaborations (University/Air Force/Industry) will provide stimulants to this program to meet military and civilian needs. The State of New York has recently provided major funding to the Institute for Lasers, Photonics, and Biophotonics at the University at Buffalo to develop an infrastructure for efficient transition of technologies to the marketplace.
A newly funded major DARPA spintronics program at the University at Buffalo will also provide additional benefits and synergistic input to the proposed effort by addressing the spin control for nanoelectronics.