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Gaming the Future: The Book!

Category: Nanoscale Bulk Technologies

Nanotech coating for fabric – new "Nano-Tex" pants

from the nanofashion dept.
Senior Associate Patrick Salsbury writes "Just spotted this one over on Slashdot. An interesting early application of nanotech(ish) stuff. The article is a bit cutesy, but there is still some interesting info in it. I like the idea of self-drying pants, especially in weather like we're having today in the Bay Area! :-)"
http://www.usatoday.com/life/cyber/cc.htm

Chemical fabrication of ultrahigh-density arrays of nanopores

from the go-self-assembly dept.
Senior Associate MarkMuhlestein writes "This looks like interesting work, reported in the Dec 15 Science. If you have access, the entire article is at http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/full/290/5499/2126 Here's the abstract: Science, 290, 2126 (15 Dec 2000) 'We show a simple, robust, chemical route to the fabrication of ultrahigh-density arrays of nanopores with high aspect ratios using the equilibrium self-assembled morphology of asymmetric diblock copolymers. The dimensions and lateral density of the array are determined by segmental interactions and the copolymer molecular weight. Through direct current electrodeposition, we fabricated vertical arrays of nanowires with densities in excess of 1.9 x 10^11 wires per square centimeter. We found markedly enhanced coercivities with ferromagnetic cobalt nanowires that point toward a route to ultrahigh-density storage media. The copolymer approach described is practical, parallel, compatible with current lithographic processes, and amenable to multilayered device fabrication.' Thurn-Albrecht et al., U Mass @ Amherst, IBM Watson, LANL"

Nanotech prospect affecting business decisions

from the waves-of-the-future? dept.
The prospect of nanotech is already affecting real-world business decisions, as reported by Reuters on Yahoo about the company KPNQwest NV, the Dutch-American data communications company: "President and Chief Executive Jack McMaster said nanotechnology meant the company may be able to pack so much more processing power into each 10,000 square meter center that it could build fewer. That would save it a fortune, as each center costs more than 50 million euros ($44.48 million) to build…'I've begun to rethink my position only because of the implications of nanotechnology,' he said. 'The amount of computing power that's going to occupy a square meter could be four, five, six times what we initially thought.' "

Nanotech & MEMS working together

from the MEMS-helps-with-NEMS dept.
A recent article in Technology Review, Nanotech Goes to Work, looks at near-term (mostly top-down) research. Excerpt: "The reliance on AFM tips and cantilevers illustrates a decidedly mechanical bent in much of today's nanotech research. Indeed, the strategy of using small silicon-based machines called MEMS (microelectromechanical systems) to manipulate nano devices is turning out to be an especially promising area." Includes obligatory (for TR) swipes at those interested in molecular nanotechnology ("enthusiasts", "purists").

Design for quantum computer proposed

from the there-goes-public-key? dept.
Senior Associate GinaMiller brings to our attention an article in EE Times "Design for quantum computer proposed. Work at IBM Corp. on the theory and practice of quantum computing suggests that the industry may be closer to practical CPUs that could process information in the form of quantum bits, or "qubits," rather than conventional binary bits. The new thinking was discussed today (Dec. 11) in a plenary lecture at the IEEE International Electron Devices Meeting here. David DiVincenzo of IBM's T. J. Watson Research Center (Yorktown Heights, N.Y.) surveyed the prospects for quantum computing, concluding that practical, solid-state devices may soon emerge to support the theoretical projections of vast computing power arising from this technology."

10 nm ion beam + carbon gas = Nano Wine Glass

from the not-much-of-a-party dept.
A reader brings to our attention this piece from The Register: " NEC boffins have built a wine glass 200,000 times smaller than normal…Researchers built the glass from carbon with an external diameter of 2750nm, approximately 200,000 times smaller than a normal-sized glass. NEC hopes the success of the new technique will open the way for the production of ultra-miniature devices such as biosensors, high-performance optical communications devices, and control switches. The technology could also have applications in the fields of nano-electromechanics, nano-optics, nano-magnetic devices, bio-nanochips and sensors, says the company…The newly developed technique used to construct the wine glass is based on the use of a gallium-focused ion beam with a diameter of 10nm and a computer controlled electro-magnetic deflection system capable of building the target object in realtime in a gas containing the base material. The combination of the focused gallium ion beam and construction from the base material in gaseous form, controlled by a 3D CAD system, permits an accuracy better than (below) 100nm."

Modulating electrical current using nanotubes

from the nanodimmer-switch dept.
Foresight's Tanya Jones writes "(Reported by Science Daily) Researchers at NC State and UNC have discovered that turning a carbon nanotube may act as a dimmer switch to regulate the flow of electric current. Dr. Marco Buongiorno Nardelli, a research associate in physics at NC State, says being able to do this gives nanoscale-device designers a controllable, continuous means of converting mechanical signals into electrical signals.
story at: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2000/12/001204071425.htm
Original press release: http://www2.ncsu.edu/ncsu/univ_relations/news_services/press_releases/00_12/292.htm"

Three-atom-thick transistor achieved by Intel

from the Intel-makes-science-fiction-into-reality dept.
From an Intel press release: "Intel Corporation researchers have achieved a significant breakthrough…The transistors feature structures just 30 nanometers in size and three atomic layers thick…Scientists expect such powerful microprocessors to allow applications popular in science-fiction stories — such as instantaneous, real-time voice translation — to become an everyday reality…Also significant is that these experimental transistors, while featuring capabilities that are generations beyond the most advanced technologies used in manufacturing today, were built using the same physical structure as in today's computer chips." The Forbes.com coverage puts a nanotech spin on the story.

Designed glass nanostructures from US/Japan/Korea team

from the glass-with-designed-holes dept.
Waldemar Perez brings to our attention Eurekalert news coverage of a Nature cover story: "The creation of three-dimensional 50-nanometer-size glass micropores have enormous implications for electronics and biotechnology. The new material could be used (according to scientists) to selectively package biomolecules like proteins or DNA, sense and remove biotoxins or toxic metals from the environment, and as 3-D biochemical enzyme factories." Excerpt from the Eurekalert story, which includes graphics: "The nanotechnology, the chemistry, and the processing make possible many different three-dimensional patterns, shapes and forms that can be organized at multiple-length scales in numerous ways…"

Quantum Dots may yield quantum changes in computer

from the nauseatingly-small dept.
As if nanotechnology won't be enough to deal with, it's looking increasingly as though quantum computers will play a big role in our future. Waldemar Perez writes "Interesting article on patent that could affect Quantum Dot-based electronics and non-linear optical devices for satellite shield protection against laser attacks, from Nebraska University. http://www.unl.edu/pr/science/111400ascifi.html"

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