Faster And Lighter Faster And Lighter Computers Possible Computers Possible

With NanotechnologyWith Nanotechnology byby

Sri Lakshmi HasthiSri Lakshmi Hasthi

02/16/200402/16/2004

OverviewOverview

IntroductionIntroduction Argonne ResearchArgonne Research IBM’s New Circuit Hails NanocomputingIBM’s New Circuit Hails Nanocomputing NanoringsNanorings Smart CardsSmart Cards Bending Light For Better ComputersBending Light For Better Computers Cheap Electronic MemoryCheap Electronic Memory Cooler ComputersCooler Computers More AdvancementsMore Advancements ConclusionsConclusions ReferencesReferences

Introduction Introduction The past three decades of computer revolution was The past three decades of computer revolution was

built on outstanding success of microtechnology.built on outstanding success of microtechnology.

Now is the idea of a powerful computer in the size of a Now is the idea of a powerful computer in the size of a watch or in a ring or just the size of the tip of a finger.watch or in a ring or just the size of the tip of a finger.

The idea of smaller, faster and cheaper computers was The idea of smaller, faster and cheaper computers was on its way with the help of Nano Technology.on its way with the help of Nano Technology.

A whole computer could be shrunk no bigger than a A whole computer could be shrunk no bigger than a single electron Atom. single electron Atom.

Argonne Research Argonne Research

Smaller, lighter computers and an end to worries Smaller, lighter computers and an end to worries about electric failures mark the potential result about electric failures mark the potential result of Argonne research on tiny ferroelectric of Argonne research on tiny ferroelectric crystals.crystals.

RAM is fast, enabling your computer to make RAM is fast, enabling your computer to make quick changes to whatever is stored there, but its quick changes to whatever is stored there, but its chief drawback is its volatility.chief drawback is its volatility.

Improved nano-engineered ferroelectric crystals Improved nano-engineered ferroelectric crystals could result in creation of nonvolatile RAM.could result in creation of nonvolatile RAM.

Argonne ResearchArgonne Research Ferroelectric materials Ferroelectric materials

consist of crystals whose consist of crystals whose low low symmetry low low symmetry causes strong electric causes strong electric polarization along one polarization along one or more of their axes. or more of their axes. The application of The application of voltage can change this voltage can change this polarity.polarity.

A strong external A strong external electric field can reverse electric field can reverse the plus and minus the plus and minus poles of ferroelectric poles of ferroelectric polarization. polarization.

Auciello uses this unique system, at Argonne, to understand ferroelectric thin film growth and interface processes critical to fabrication of smart cards based on ferroelectric random access memories. Individual atoms can be detected as they land on a substrate surface.

Argonne ResearchArgonne Research

The crystals hold their orientation until forced by The crystals hold their orientation until forced by another applied electric field.another applied electric field.

They can be coded as binary memory, representing They can be coded as binary memory, representing “zero” in one orientation and “one” in other.“zero” in one orientation and “one” in other.

As the crystals do not revert spontaneously, RAM As the crystals do not revert spontaneously, RAM made with them would not be erased should there be made with them would not be erased should there be a power failure.a power failure.

The same machine could be configured like a The same machine could be configured like a Macintosh for tasks that a Mac OS performs best Macintosh for tasks that a Mac OS performs best and like a PC when Windows OS is preferableand like a PC when Windows OS is preferable

IBM’s New Circuit Hails IBM’s New Circuit Hails NanocomputingNanocomputing

IBM developed logic performing computer circuit IBM developed logic performing computer circuit made from a single molecule of carbon which could made from a single molecule of carbon which could lead to a new class of smaller and faster computers lead to a new class of smaller and faster computers that consume less power.that consume less power.

The IBM research team made the new circuit, called The IBM research team made the new circuit, called a “voltage inverter,”-from a nanotube.a “voltage inverter,”-from a nanotube.

Dr.Phadeon Avouris said "Carbon nanotubes are the Dr.Phadeon Avouris said "Carbon nanotubes are the top candidate to replace silicon when current chip top candidate to replace silicon when current chip features just cant be made any smaller. Such ‘silicon features just cant be made any smaller. Such ‘silicon beyond’ nanotube electronics may then lead to beyond’ nanotube electronics may then lead to unimagined progress in computing miniaturization unimagined progress in computing miniaturization and powerand power”.”.

Design Of An Intra-molecular Design Of An Intra-molecular Logic GateLogic Gate

Researchers encoded Researchers encoded the entire inverter logic the entire inverter logic function along the function along the length of a nanotube.length of a nanotube.

In this circuit, the In this circuit, the output signal is output signal is stronger than the input, stronger than the input, which allows gates and which allows gates and other circuit elements other circuit elements to be assembled into to be assembled into microprocessorsmicroprocessors..

The picture shows the design of an intra-molecular logic gate. A single carbon nanotube (shaded in blue) is positioned over gold electrodes to produce two p-type carbon nanotube field-effect transistors in series. The device is covered by an insulated layer (PMMA) and a window is opened by e-beam lithography to expose part of the nanotube. Potassium is then evaporated through this window to convert the exposed p-type nanotube transistor into an n-type nanotube transistor, while the other nanotube transistor remains p-type.

Nanorings Nanorings

Alexander Wei,a chemist at the Purdue University Alexander Wei,a chemist at the Purdue University have come up with a simple and cheap solution to have come up with a simple and cheap solution to shrinking data storage—tiny magnetic rings from shrinking data storage—tiny magnetic rings from particles made of cobalt.particles made of cobalt.

The rings are much less than 100 nanometers across The rings are much less than 100 nanometers across and can store magnetic information at room and can store magnetic information at room temperature. Best of all, these nanorings form all on temperature. Best of all, these nanorings form all on their own, a process known as self-assemblytheir own, a process known as self-assembly

The cobalt nanoparticles which form these rings are The cobalt nanoparticles which form these rings are tiny magnets with north and south poles and they link tiny magnets with north and south poles and they link up when they are brought close together thus up when they are brought close together thus assembling into rings.assembling into rings.

Alexander Wei,a chemist at the Purdue University Alexander Wei,a chemist at the Purdue University have come up with a simple and cheap solution to have come up with a simple and cheap solution to shrinking data storage—tiny magnetic rings from shrinking data storage—tiny magnetic rings from particles made of cobalt.particles made of cobalt.

The rings are much less than 100 nanometers across The rings are much less than 100 nanometers across and can store magnetic information at room and can store magnetic information at room temperature. Best of all, these nanorings form all on temperature. Best of all, these nanorings form all on their own, a process known as self-assembly.their own, a process known as self-assembly.

The cobalt nanoparticles which form these rings are The cobalt nanoparticles which form these rings are tiny magnets with north and south poles and they link tiny magnets with north and south poles and they link up when they are brought close together thus up when they are brought close together thus assembling into rings.assembling into rings.

Nanorings Nanorings

The magnetic dipoles produce a collective magnetic The magnetic dipoles produce a collective magnetic state known as flux closure. There is strong state known as flux closure. There is strong magnetic force within rings ,but after particles magnetic force within rings ,but after particles form rings, the net magnetic force is zero outside.form rings, the net magnetic force is zero outside.

These rings are currently being considered as These rings are currently being considered as memory elements and magnetic RAMs. Magnetic memory elements and magnetic RAMs. Magnetic rings reduce crosstalk and errors during data rings reduce crosstalk and errors during data processingprocessing

Wei said “ Nonvolatile memory based on nanorings Wei said “ Nonvolatile memory based on nanorings could in theory be developed. For the moment ,the could in theory be developed. For the moment ,the nanorings are only a promising development”.nanorings are only a promising development”.

Nanorings Nanorings

PHOTO CAPTION:PHOTO CAPTION: Shown are cobalt nanoparticles that have self-assembled into bracelet-like Shown are cobalt nanoparticles that have self-assembled into bracelet-like "nanorings." The rings' magnetic flux can be oriented in one of two "nanorings." The rings' magnetic flux can be oriented in one of two directions – clockwise or counterclockwise – a characteristic that could directions – clockwise or counterclockwise – a characteristic that could represent binary numbers in magnetic memory devices. Because the flux represent binary numbers in magnetic memory devices. Because the flux direction remains even without a constant power supply, it is possible these direction remains even without a constant power supply, it is possible these rings could lead to so-called "non-volatile" computer memory, which would rings could lead to so-called "non-volatile" computer memory, which would not be wiped out in the event of a system failure. (Graphic/VCH Publishers)not be wiped out in the event of a system failure. (Graphic/VCH Publishers)

Smart CardsSmart Cards

Smart cards have proven to be quite as useful as a Smart cards have proven to be quite as useful as a transaction/authorization medium in European countries transaction/authorization medium in European countries and indeed they are tiny computers.and indeed they are tiny computers.

They will follow Moore’s law regarding processing power They will follow Moore’s law regarding processing power and cost.and cost.

They could become ultimate thin client eventually They could become ultimate thin client eventually replacing all of the things we carry in our wallets.replacing all of the things we carry in our wallets.

These smart cards are size and shape of credit cards but These smart cards are size and shape of credit cards but contain ferroelectric memory that can carry substantial contain ferroelectric memory that can carry substantial information.information.

Smart Cards Smart Cards They hold information such as its bearer’s medical They hold information such as its bearer’s medical

historyhistory

Unlike credit cards ,these memories do not come Unlike credit cards ,these memories do not come in contact with their readers and will not wear out.in contact with their readers and will not wear out.

Current smart cards carry about 250 kilobytes of Current smart cards carry about 250 kilobytes of memory.memory.

Argonne researchers are collaborating with Argonne researchers are collaborating with Colorado Springs,Colo.,Symetrics corp.Colorado Springs,Colo.,Symetrics corp.

Various Smart CardsVarious Smart Cards

Bending Light For Better Bending Light For Better ComputersComputers

Dr.Brett and his collaborators are now using GLAD Dr.Brett and his collaborators are now using GLAD to design new optical devices that could prove to be to design new optical devices that could prove to be the route to better and faster computers run on light the route to better and faster computers run on light rather than on electricity.rather than on electricity.

We’ll have to shift to photons because of their We’ll have to shift to photons because of their advantageous properties.advantageous properties.

We use optical fibers to guide light. But every time We use optical fibers to guide light. But every time we bend light we lose some of it because some we bend light we lose some of it because some radiates out of the fiber.radiates out of the fiber.

Before photonic chips can be miniaturized, Before photonic chips can be miniaturized, somebody has to discover a new way to guide and somebody has to discover a new way to guide and bend light over very small distances.bend light over very small distances.

Cheap Electronic Cheap Electronic MemoryMemory

Engineers at Princeton University and Hewlett-Engineers at Princeton University and Hewlett-Packard have invented a combination of Packard have invented a combination of materials that could lead to cheap and compact materials that could lead to cheap and compact electronic memory devices.electronic memory devices.

The invention could result in a single-use The invention could result in a single-use memory card that permanently stores data. memory card that permanently stores data.

This memory device combines the commonly This memory device combines the commonly used conductive polymer, which is inexpensive used conductive polymer, which is inexpensive and easy to produce, with very thin-film, silicon and easy to produce, with very thin-film, silicon based electronics.based electronics.

Cheap Electronic Cheap Electronic MemoryMemory

“ “We are making a device that is organic and We are making a device that is organic and inorganic at the same time” said Stephen Forrest.inorganic at the same time” said Stephen Forrest.

This device would be like a CD as well as like a This device would be like a CD as well as like a conventional electronic memory chip.conventional electronic memory chip.

Moller made the basic discovery behind the device Moller made the basic discovery behind the device by experimenting with polymer material called by experimenting with polymer material called PEDOT.PEDOT.

A PEDOT based memory device would have a grid A PEDOT based memory device would have a grid of circuits in which all the connections contain a of circuits in which all the connections contain a PEDOT fuse.PEDOT fuse.

Cheap Cheap Electronic Electronic MemoryMemory

A high voltage applied to any of the contact A high voltage applied to any of the contact points blows that particular fuse .points blows that particular fuse .

1 million bits of information could fit in a 1 million bits of information could fit in a square millimeter of paper thin materialsquare millimeter of paper thin material

If formed as a block, the device could store If formed as a block, the device could store more than one giga byte of information in one more than one giga byte of information in one cubic centimeter which is about the size of a cubic centimeter which is about the size of a finger tip.finger tip.

Developing this invention into commercially Developing this invention into commercially viable product might take at least 5 yearsviable product might take at least 5 years

Cooler ComputersCooler Computers Cool Chips plc(COLCF) is developing a solid state Cool Chips plc(COLCF) is developing a solid state

cooling technology designed to solve thermal cooling technology designed to solve thermal management problems management problems

Cool chips are compact electronic devices similar Cool chips are compact electronic devices similar in appearance to computer chips.in appearance to computer chips.

Application of electric field to chip results in hot Application of electric field to chip results in hot and cold sidesand cold sides

This process of tunneling electrons through a one-This process of tunneling electrons through a one-way thermal trap door is more efficient than way thermal trap door is more efficient than conventional refrigeration methodsconventional refrigeration methods

What Makes Cool Chips What Makes Cool Chips Special?Special?

While electrons are used While electrons are used to carry heat the to carry heat the material itself returns material itself returns most of the heat through most of the heat through conduction.conduction.

In cool chips electrons In cool chips electrons move across a gap which move across a gap which is an excellent insulator.is an excellent insulator.

With the addition of With the addition of voltage bias, heat is voltage bias, heat is transferred from one transferred from one side to another and side to another and because of gap, heat because of gap, heat cannot flow back.cannot flow back.

Cool ChipsCool Chips

Really cool chips are Really cool chips are on their way on their way shortlyshortly

More AdvancementsMore Advancements

Better data storage using multiwalled carbon Better data storage using multiwalled carbon nanotubes whose tips can write data onto nanotubes whose tips can write data onto polymer film.polymer film.

The development of smallest 4-gigabit Flash The development of smallest 4-gigabit Flash memory.memory.

An ADI (Analog Devices, Inc.) accelerometer can An ADI (Analog Devices, Inc.) accelerometer can help prevent information loss in new hard drive help prevent information loss in new hard drive protection technologyprotection technology

ConclusionsConclusions Disadvantages Disadvantages Atom bomb could be the size of a tennis ball.Atom bomb could be the size of a tennis ball. Over Population.Over Population. Men can have babies.Men can have babies. People can change themselves or reproduce another look.People can change themselves or reproduce another look.

AdvantagesAdvantages Pollution free world.Pollution free world. No more world Hunger.No more world Hunger. Safe, affordable and cheap space travel.Safe, affordable and cheap space travel. Extinct plants and animals can be bought back.Extinct plants and animals can be bought back.

ReferencesReferences http://www.albertaingenuity.ca/youth_education/cool_stories/

bending_light.php http://www.eurekalert.org/features/doe/2001-07/dnl-

flc060602.php http://www.sspsolutions.com/solutions/whitepapers/

introduction_to_smartcards http://nanotechwire.com/news_list.asp?ntid=123 http://www.prweb.com/releases/2002/11/prweb49252.htm http://maxpages.com/nanotechnology/Description http://www.azonano.com/details.asp?ArticleID=365

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