Complex Dynamics of Clusters in High-Aspect Ratio Hollow Nanostructures: A Nanoscale Platform for High-Performance Computing (NANOCOMP)
Practical aspects and understanding of frontier-computing concepts such as memcomputing (a brain-inspired computational paradigm), quantum computing and spintronics are hindered because of the lack of suitable nanostructured materials.
The NANOCOMP project aims to develop a technology for the integration of nano-switches within the confined space of high-aspect ratio hollow carbon nanostructures, yielding a totally new class of hybrid metal-carbon nanomaterials with different dimensionality as model systems enabling the realisation of these computing schemes. This research will also pave the way for developing new energy-storage concepts. The main objectives are: 1) To develop protocols for successful transport and encapsulation of intact nano-switches within tubular carbon nanostructures (TCN); 2) To understand and control the effects of the confined nano-switches on the carbon nanocontainer (and vice versa); 3) To unravel and develop new methodologies for exploiting the functional properties of the confined nano-switches; 4) To fabricate nanodevices, novel 2D ordered arrays and highly-porous 3D networks for a variety of applications ranging from quantum processors to flexible spintronic devices and supercapacitors.