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The field of molecular electronics originally set out to build computers, but silicon-based technology is unlikely to be replaced anytime soon. Nevertheless, the field has developed into a highly interdisciplinary endeavour, which could have a variety of ramifications that extend beyond computing.
Inexpensive, functional and atomically precise molecules could be the basis of future electronic devices, but integrating them into circuits will require the development of new ways to control the interface between molecules and electrodes.
The field of molecular electronics has been around for more than 40 years, but only recently have some fundamental problems been overcome. It is now time for researchers to move beyond simple descriptions of charge transport and explore the numerous intrinsic features of molecules.
Graphene has been chosen as one of the European Commission's billion-euro flagship projects and has cemented its central position in European research.