Opinion ID: 803097
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Das

Text: Das, a 2005 publication cited by Mouttet in the ’232 application, discloses nanoprocessor systems integrated on the molecular scale. “By integration on the molecular scale,” Das explains generally, “we mean the basic switching devices, as well as the wire widths and the pitch dimensions (i.e., spacing between the centers of neighboring wires), all will measure only a few nanometers—the size of a molecule—in the computer systems of interest here.” Das at 481. Das specifically discloses a nanoscale crossbar array with molecular switches. Das’s Figure 17.1 depicts structures of one or a few molecules, sandwiched between intersecting wires at the junctions of a crossbar array: “Fig. 17.1 ‘Crossbar’ array of nanowires with molecular devices at junctions.” 9 IN RE MOUTTET Das at 483. Das explains that the electrical behavior of the molecular-scale structures at each junction can act as a switch with two states: a high-conductance “on” state and a low-conductance “off” state. Id.; see also id. at 484 & fig.17.2. This “allows the ‘programming’ of a junction into one of two states. Such bistable switches are essential components of any computing system.” Id. at 483. On the basis of these disclosures, the examiner determined that Das teaches molecular switches on a nanoscale crossbar array capable of being programmed into high resistance or low resistance states, thereby constructing functional circuits that can be used to build larger processor systems. Id.