DNA Nanowires

Current computer chip technology is based on lithographic methods that limit components to ∼0.3 microns in size, due to the wavelength of light, and the photoresist/coating/etching processes. The size directly determines computer speed, complexity and cost, and advances in computers over the years have mostly been due to reduction in component size. It is here proposed to construct nanowires that are approximately 2 nm in diameter, or 150 times smaller than currently available. For 2 dimensions, this translates into a 1502= 22,500-fold computational advantage. Additionally, 3 dimensional construction is proposed, bringing the potential improvement factor to 3,375,000. While it is probably unrealistic that this factor of packing density can be fully achieved, even several orders of magnitude improvement over current technology would be significant.A wire width 2 nm may be achieved by placing gold quantum dots along a DNA template. Ends of the DNA-nanowire may be designed with sequences to attach by hybridization to complementary sequences on target connection pads, so that the two ends will seek and automatically wire correctly in solution. This strategy is easily adaptable to 3-dimensional wiring. Conduction between gold quantum dots may be studied as a function of spacing, size and coatings.