Article published CHIMTRONIQUE
Microelectronics for the future
The Chimtronique programme draws on a combination of chemical and materials physics studies to obtain heterostructures that can be used in nanoelectronics and in creating complex functions. It is no longer just a question of making chips smaller and smaller, but of equipping them with “smart” molecules and components. Two examples of this would be the use of transistors in conjunction with chemical nanosensors, or nano-energy sources with nanocomponents integrating radiofrequency communication capabilities. Since it began in 2005, the programme has set up three cross-cutting platforms for developing key technology: spontaneous self-assembly for visualisation and handling on a nanometric scale, simulating nanocomponents of various architectures and, lastly, hybridising future molecular circuits with transistors based on conventional technology. Chimtronique exploits the latest innovations in chemistry, making CEA one of the foremost research organisations concerned with carbon nanotubes, semiconductor nanowires and functional molecules for future electronics applications. There are many such applications, including materials science, surface science, lighting, nanolithography, semiconductors, information technology, data storage, energy, life science and medicine.
