| This dissertation explores the design and fabrication of massively-parallel computers using self-assembling electronic circuitry. A DNA-guided self-assembly method, inspired by discoveries in chemistry, materials science, and physics, is used to develop an argument for the feasibility of constructing complex circuitry. The fabrication yield of such a process is calculated. Together, these form the foundation for a discussion of the computer architectures and implementations that this self-assembling process enables.; Simulations estimate the electrical performance of the components used in the self-assembly process. Traditional drift-diffusion simulations were used to evaluate a ring-gated field effect transistor and the results were applied to a circuit level simulation to evaluate specific circuit topologies. These circuits were then grouped into implementation level components (logic gates, memory elements, etc.) and used in an architecture-level behavior simulator.; The electrical performance results enable an informed evaluation of higher-level computer designs that could be built using self-assembly. Estimates of the performance, including power consumption, of two architectures are presented. These architectures appear to be impractical without a self-assembling fabrication process and are shown to have remarkable advantages over conventional computing machines. These machines are estimated to be nearly three orders of magnitude faster than the fastest next-generation supercomputer (IBM BlueGene/L) on certain classes of problems.*; *This dissertation is multimedia (contains text and other applications not available in printed format), and includes a CD. |
