The Waterloo Institute for Nanotechnology presents an Innovation Seminar by Dr. Andrew Myles and Dr. Adam Bergren from the National Institute for Nanotechnology.
Lecture:
3:00-4:00
pm
From Fundamental Science to Rock and Roll: The Heisenberg Molecular Overdrive
Through the Industrial Innovation Support Program, NINT is actively engaged in research collaborations with several small, medium and multinational industrial partners. In addition, the program serves as a platform to advance technologies within NINT with high commercial potential. This presentation will highlight the journey of The Heisenberg Molecular Overdrive guitar distortion pedal, from concept to demonstration, to sales around the world.
For almost 50 years, molecular electronics has been envisioned as a way to increase the density, diversity, and functionality of electronic devices. NINT has developed a practical platform for fabrication of large area molecular junctions, containing molecular layers from ~1 to ~60 nm using carbon contacts and diazonium reduction of aromatic molecules. Advantages of this “all-carbon” paradigm include excellent reproducibility, stability, and the ability to scale-up fabrication for large scale manufacturing.
These
features
have
enabled
the
first
practical
application
for
molecular
electronics
in
the
realm
of
electronic
audio
signal
processing;
the
non-linear
I/V
curves
of
the
molecular
devices
can
be
used
to
provide
intentional
distortion
of
a
source
signal.
The
electronic
properties
attributed
to
the
nanoscale
charge
transport
in
molecular
junctions
leads
to
measurable
and
audible
differences
in
sound
quality.
An
additional
advantage
of
molecular
junctions
in
this
application
is
the
ability
to
tune
the
electronic
response
in
a
way
that
enables
better
control
over
the
resulting
character
of
the
distorted
sound
-
by
control
over
the
thickness
and
structure
of
the
molecular
component.
Since
it
is
possible
to
manufacture
“all-carbon”
electronic
devices
with
sufficient
stability,
a
consumer
product
that
uses
molecular
electronics
is
now
a
reality
–
The
Heisenberg
Molecular
Overdrive.