We are at an inflection point in computing where traditional technologies are incapable of keeping up with the demands of exploding data collection and artificial intelligence. This challenge demands a leap to a new platform as transformative as the digital silicon revolution. Over the past 30 years molecular materials for computing have generated great excitement but continually fallen short of performance and reliability requirements. However, recent reports indicate that those historical limitations may have been resolved. Here we assess the current state of computing with molecular-based materials, especially using transition metal complexes of redox active ligands, in the context of neuromorphic computing. We describe two complementary research paths necessary to determine whether molecular materials can be the basis of a new computing technology: continued exploration of the molecular electronic properties that enable computation and, equally important, the process development for on-chip integration of molecular materials.

我们正处于计算领域的拐点，传统技术无法满足爆炸性数据收集和人工智能的需求。这一挑战需要跨越到像数字硅革命一样具有变革性的新平台。过去 30 年来，用于计算的分子材料引起了极大的关注，但始终未能满足性能和可靠性要求。然而，最近的报告表明，这些历史限制可能已经得到解决。在这里，我们评估了基于分子的材料的计算现状，特别是在神经形态计算的背景下使用氧化还原活性配体的过渡金属配合物。我们描述了确定分子材料是否可以成为新计算技术的基础所必需的两条互补的研究路径：继续探索支持计算的分子电子特性，以及同样重要的分子材料片上集成的工艺开发。