IBM Almaden Research Center researchers have developed a new kind of computing process that relies on the motion of molecules rather than the flow of electrons. The logic gates use cascades of carbon monoxide molecules to transfer data.

Devices made in this way have dimensions on the scale of nanometers, several orders of magnitude smaller than existing silicon-based components.

The researchers demonstrated a three-input sorter that uses several AND gates and OR gates, as well as the crossover and fan-out units needed to connect them.

A. J. Heinrich, C. P. Lutz, J. A. Gupta, and D. M. Eigler, “Molecule Cascades,” Science, zdoi;10.1126/science.1076768, published online Oct. 24, 2002 (requires paid registration)

Scientists Shrink Computing to Molecular Level, New York Times, Oct. 25, 2002