The Future of Nanotechnologies in Computing (Part 1)
Introduction
The study of nanotechnologies is a field of science that attempts to achieve something useful by manipulating matter on a nano-scale (between 1 – 100nm). Nano refers to a nano-meter (nm), which is 1/1,000,000,000th of a meter or about the same size as one eighty thousandth of the width of a human hair. A more formal definition of nanotechnologies from the Royal Society (2006) is, “Nanotechnologies are the design, characterization, production and application of structures, devices and systems by controlling shape and size at a nanometer scale.”
The study of nanotechnologies involves the extension of existing sciences, including physics, chemistry, biology and in particular colloidal science to a nano-scale (Wikipedia 2006). At this scale the ordinary rules of physics and chemistry no longer apply, so some materials behave very differently than they do in their larger form. This is because new phenomena occur caused “by the dominance of interfaces and quantum mechanical effects” (Lundstorm 2002). For example, the colour, strength, conductivity and reactivity of a material can differ greatly between the macro and nano scales (Institute of Nanotechnology 2006). These special attributes are already being used in a number of ways, such as in making computer chips, CDs and mobile phones. The aim of nanoeletronics in computing will be to exploit these new properties to improve the performance of materials, devices, and systems (Lundstorm 2002). It is better to refer to Nanotechnology in the plural as there are many different types of nanotechnologies and many diverse uses for them, which don’t always have much in common except their incredibly small size.
This report will look at nanotechnologies and their current uses in the field of computing. It will then go on to look at how nanotechnologies are currently being built and could be built in the future, including what materials may be used and what computer architectures may be suitable.
History of Nanotechnologies
One of the first people to realise the advantages that could be achieved from manufacturing on a very small scale was Richard Feynman when he envisioned the manipulation of individual atoms in a lecture he gave in 1959 (Institute of Nanotechnology 2006). The term nanotechnology was coined by Norio Taniguchi in 1974, meaning that which achieved greater dimensional accuracy than 100nm (nanometres). The invention of the scanning probe electron microscope in 1982 helped with the development of this idea as it allowed physicists to see and manipulate single atoms. Then in 1989 Don Eigler who worked for IBM performed one of the defining experiments in nanotechnology. He spelled out the letters IBM using single xenon atoms, showing for the first time that scientists could place atoms exactly where they wanted them (Institute of Nanotechnology 2006).
Figure 1 - IBM spelled out with xenon atoms using a scanning probe electron microscope (IBM).
Nano scale materials have been used for a very long time, for example since the 10th century AD nano sized particles of silver and gold have been used to stain glass (Royal Society 2006). Computer chips already have nano-sized features etched into their surface and nanotechnologies have enabled computers to be made smaller and faster in recent years. More recently, researchers have produced nano-sized wires and tubes, such as QCA wires and Carbon nano-tubes (Beckett and Jennings 2002). These have remarkable optical, electronic and magnetic properties that it is hoped will prove useful in future computer architectures.
The Nanotechnologies Industry
There has been much fanciful and sci-fi like speculation about how nanotechnologies could change the world from providing medical care that could eliminate natural death to rebuilding the Ozone layer. These ideas stem from “extrapolating this new technology to its limit” (Winters 2005) and while theoretically possible will certainly not materialise for many decades, if ever. Nanotechnologies do show potential for greatly affecting the world we live in. It is difficult to predict exactly what nanotechnologies will be able to do for us in the long term, but it is likely that they will impact on many areas of our lives. In the short-term nanotechnologies are likely to enable the creation of faster and smaller computer chips and better electronic displays.
Nanotechnologies promise to affect a wide variety of industries from manufacturing and engineering to health care, but of particular interest here is the effect they will have, and are currently having on computing and information technology. Nanotechnologies are not just technologies of the future they are in use here and now. They are receiving heavy investment from business and Government for the research and development of devices and materials. It is difficult to predict the current state of the nanotechnologies industry accurately as “predictions of the future growth of nanotech markets vary widely as do the names used to define the sectors of the industry” (Lawrence 2005) as is illustrated in Figure 2. There is however a definite trend that shows increased investment in nanotechnologies globally both for research and for commercial purposes. For instance funding for research and development “almost doubled to more than $10 billion in 2004 from the previous year” (Lawrence 2005) and this “is expected to triple by 2008” (Lawrence 2005). It is also expected that by 2008 “more than $100 billion in products will likely involve some type of nanotechnology” (Lawrence 2005). This rapid growth is also illustrated in the chart from Oxford Instruments in Figure 3, which shows that most areas of the industry still involve a significant amount of research and development.
Figure 2 – Estimates of nanotechnology growth (Lawrence 2005 p.1).
Figure 3 – Diagram showing the development of each area of nanotechnologies (Oxford Instruments 2006 p.4).
Go to part 2 of 3 of ‘The Future of Nanotechnologies in Computing’
Download the whole report on the future of nanotechnologies in computing in PDF form