A -- DARPA Workshop on Molecular Electronics for Chem/Bio Applications

The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) will conduct a workshop on novel applications of molecular electronics to detection of and response to chemical and biological agents. This workshop will be held May 29, 2002, at the Executive Conference Center in Arlington, VA. This location adjacent to DARPA has been selected to maximize participation by Program Managers from DSO and MTO. The workshop is a forum to critically discuss prospects for a new research program. Thus, the workshop should not be considered to be a "bidder's meeting," an "industry day," or a "teaming meeting." The morning agenda begins with Government presentations on the DARPA Molecular Electronics program, which has sponsored research in turning single molecules and small chemical groups into transistors and other standard components of computer chips, and in linking such devices together into complex circuits. In 2001, the program succeeded in demonstrating a 16-bit memory circuit built with rotaxane molecules at the junctions of semiconducting crossbars. The program next aims to demonstrate a 16 Kb memory with a density of 10 to the eleventh power/cm2. The morning agenda continues with invited presentations by DARPA contractors on preliminary concepts for applying molecular circuits to the problems of detecting and responding to chemical and biological agents. The afternoon agenda consists of a poster session, designed to maximize interactive communication and brainstorming between participants and DARPA Program Managers. Posters should emphasize new ideas for applying molecular electronic components. At the beginning of the poster session, participants will be allowed up to 5 minutes (depending on the number of participants) to give an oral summary of their poster. Topics of interest include, but should not be restricted to, the following: Features of molecular electronics enabling detection with zero false positives; Molecular electronic circuits that detect single molecules and cells with a high degree of specificity; Sugars that adhere to cell walls and provide recognition points for other bio-entities; Molecular electronic devices that combine bio-detection molecules with electron transport of monomolecular systems. To maximize the productivity of the workshop, all non-Government participants must make a poster presentation. To become eligible for poster presentation, send a poster summary to contact@example.gov by Friday April 26, 2002. The poster summary must contain (1) poster title, (2) name and affiliation of presenter, (3) contact information for notification of eligibility, and (4) one paragraph on the poster topic. Notice of eligibility will be sent on Monday April 29, 2002. Participants must register through the workshop website http://www.eventmakeronline.com/dso/View/index.asp?MeetingID=108 by Wednesday May 1, 2002 at 5:00 PM.