MULTI · MULTI-valued and parallel molecular logic

MULTI replaces the familiar sequential model of computation that uses Boolean variables and combinational gates by logic operations that are executed in parallel on devices that have a built-in many state memory and whose inputs and outputs are multivalued. MULTI seeks to design, simulate and experimentally implement proof of principle devices on the atomic and molecular scale.MULTI refers to the unique novel characteristics of the proposed schemes. We use MULTI-level logic variables as opposed to two valued Boolean variables. We use MULTI-variate circuits that act in parallel so that more than one logic function is evaluated at every stage of the computation thereby aiming for parallel circuits. We use MULTI-state inbuilt memories. New functionalities and ground-breaking characteristics of information processing are provided by the radically post-Boolean MULTI approach. As a final thrust, MULTI will explore a post-Turing model of computation by using continuous variables.In MULTI a single atom, molecule or a supra(bio)molecular assembly acts as a logic element. We aim for new foundational principles and for proof of concept of computing in hardware at the level of laboratory experiments. MULTI plans to take advantage of internal degrees of freedom of atoms or molecules to implement logic operations by electrical addressing in the solid state and/or by optical addressing in solution. The dynamics offers time-resolved response and thereby enables parallelism that can be massive because of the many resolvable states. Internal states of different molecules can be made to communicate thereby providing for concatenation. The other route of MULTI is (bio)chemical recognition that offers exquisite control for implementing many state, optically readable finite state machines.Benefits of MULTI approach are higher information rates for inputs and outputs, enhanced rates of processing due to parallelism and computing in memory and exploration of continuous logic.