Nanotechnology: A Brief Technology

Nanotechnology is defined as the study and use of structures between 1 nanometer

and 100 nanometres in size. To give you an idea of how small that is, it would take
the width of a human hair.

Strength of Materials. Nano-sized particles of carbon, (for example nanotubes and

bucky balls) are extremely strong. Nanotubes and bucky balls are composed of only
carbon and their strength comes from special characteristics of the bonds between
carbon atoms. One proposed application that illustrates the strength of nanosized
particles of carbon is the manufacture of t-shirt weight bullet proof vests made
out of carbon nanotubes.

Nano-Elecromechanical System :-The ability to create gears, mirrors, sensor

elements, as well as electronic circuitry in silicon surfaces allows the manufacture
of miniature sensors such as those used to activate the airbags in your car. This
technique is called MEMS (Micro-ElectroMechanical Systems). The MEMS technique
results in close integration of the mechanical mechanism with the necessary
electronic circuit on a single silicon chip, similar to the method used to produce
computer chips. Using MEMS to produce a device reduces both the cost and size of
the product, compared to similar devices made with conventional methods. MEMS
is a stepping stone to NEMS or Nano-ElectroMechanical Systems. NEMS products are
being made by a few companies, and will take over as the standard once
manufacturers make the investment in the equipment needed to produce nano-
sized features

Nanoelectronics: Nanotechnology in Electronics

How can nanoelectronics improve the capabilities of electronic components?

Nanoelectronics holds increase the capabilities of electronics devices while we

reduce their weight and power consumption.

Improving display screens on electronics devices. This involves reducing power

consumption while decreasing the weight and thickness of the screens.

Increasing the density of memory chips. Researchers are developing a type of

memory chip with a projected density of one terabyte of memory per square inch
or greater.

Reducing the size of transistors used in integrated circuits. One researcher believes
it may be possible to "put the power of all of today's present computers in the
palm of your hand".

Electrodes made from nanowires that would enable flat panel displays to be flexible as
well as thinner than current flat panel displays.
Using MEMS techniques to control an array of probes whose tips have a radius of a few
nanometers. These probes are used to write and read data onto a polymer film, with the
aim of producing memory chips with a density of one terabyte per square inch or
greater.

 Using carbon nanotubes to direct electrons to illuminate pixels, resulting in

a lightweight, millimetre thick "nanoemmissive" display panel.
 Making integrated circuits with features that can be measured in
nanometers (nm), such as the process that allows the production of
integrated circuits with 45 nm wide transistor gates.
 Using nanosized magnetic rings to make Magnetoresistive Random Access
Memory (MRAM) which research has indicated may allow memory density
of 400 GB per square inch.
 Developing molecular-sized transistors which may allow us to shrink the
width of transistor gates to approximately one nm which will significantly
increase transistor density in integrated circuits.