As silicon approaches its physical limits, scientists at HP Labs have begun to flesh out a strategy for the post-silicon era of computing. Patented nanotechnology called crossbar architecture is the basis for HP's vision and is potentially less costly and easier to manufacture than silicon technology.

The HP vision was laid out in a series of two dozen papers published in an edition of the Applied Physics A journal dedicated to nanotechnology.

Much of the discussion centers around Moore's law: A principle accredited to Intel founder Gordon Moore more than 40 years ago stating that computing power almost doubles every two years and will eventually reach its limits.

With the crossbar architecture, HP is trying to develop new technology that carries computing into its next era. Crossbar is best described as a set of parallel nanowires running perpendicular to another set that borders a small amount of electronically switchable material.

Intersecting wires can form switches that can be programmed to provide crossbars with instructions on what tasks to perform like logic operations or bit storage. The approach bears in mind defect tolerance because the manufacturing process is on such a small scale.

Another part of HP's strategy is to determine how devices will be made at the nanoscale.

"We believe we have a practical, comprehensive strategy for moving computing beyond silicon to the world of molecular-scale electronics," said Stan Williams, HP Senior Fellow and director of Quantum Science Research at HP Labs.

"We have a three-pronged approach: fundamental scientific research into the quantum effects that dominate the nanometer scale, a new architecture that can tolerate defects in molecular-sized circuit components and cost-effective methods of fabrication."

HP labs will play host to distinguished scientists and other visiting dignitaries on March 25 to discuss nanotechnology at an international nanotechnology symposium.