The design of a biochip: a self-assembling molecular-scale memory device.

A design for a biochip memory device based on known materials and existing principles is presented. The fabrication of this memory system relies on the self-assembly of the nucleic acid junction system, which acts as the scaffolding for a molecular wire consisting of polyacetylene-like units. A molecular switch to control current is described which is based on the formation of a charge-transfer complex. A molecular-scale bit is presented which is based on oxidation-reduction potentials of metal atoms or clusters. The readable 'bit' which can be made of these components has a volume of 3 x 10(7) A3, and should operate at electronic speeds over short distances.