HP has revealed its strategy for the future of computing, replacing silicon processors with nanotechnology, in 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.

The strategy centers on HP’s crossbar architecture, which HP says is six to ten years from widespread use. Also known as the crossbar latch, the design consists of a pair of parallel wires crossed by a second set of wires. Together they create a switch that can deliver the functions currently assigned to transistors on silicon processors.