The Nano-Science Center at the University of Copenhagen has
been chosen to coordinate research funding from the European Unions
Seventh Framework Programme. The 2.5 million € appropriation
will aim to maintain and develop Europe’s leading position in
molecular electronics, and the Nano-Science Center is the first Danish
research institution to be given this important role under the Seventh
Programme.
The goal of the research project is to explore how single
molecules can be used as the basic element in electronic circuits. This
is the reason why IBM is one of the partners of the project.
Once we know how to utilise single molecules we will be able
to break down the ultimate physical barriers that exist in the
development of new electronic products, says Professor Thomas
Bjørnholm, head of the Nano-Science Center. He is
coordinating the new international research project
“SINGLE”.
Molecules behave very differently from traditional electronics
based on crystals of semiconducting silicon. In the long term we will
be able to integrate electronics at a molecular level, which is a great
prospect for the development of for example biological sensors, says
Thomas Bjørnholm.
Danish scientists received more than 350 million €
for their research from the EU’s Sixth Framework Programme.
It is vital that Denmark is at the forefront when the EU
research funding is appropriated. It has great impact on our global
competitiveness, says Poul Petersen, EU-consultant at the University of
Copenhagen.
Posted 19th December 2007
