Reif also pointed out a few downsides. One is the speed of calculation. The execution of a single gate can take anywhere from 30 to 60 minutes. Executing a four-bit square root could take up to 10 hours.

However, the researchers believe this slowness can be overcome. "Improving the molecular components to reduce crosstalk and leak could allow us to use higher concentrations, which could speed things up 10 to 100 times, if it works," Winfree wrote. "Or, as we propose at the end of the paper, localizing the molecular components on a surface should provide a wide range of advantages, including higher speeds for large circuits."

The IDG News Service