Nanotechnology Uses to Enhance Computer Performance Essay

Although the core concepts of na nonechnology were introduced in the early 1950s, nanotechnology was not properly introduced to the world until 1974. That was the year a Japanese scientist, named Tanigushi, coined the word nanotechnology. Nanotechnology refers to the constructing and engine room of systems at the atomic level. Nanotechnology volition be the major technology in development of every machine in coming years. (Wifinotes, n. d. ) Nanotechnology allow greatly make better the functionality and performance of computers.BodyIn everyday terms, Nanotechnology is based on manipulations of individual atoms and molecules to build complex atomic structures. (Tarasov, 2009, pg. 1) Working at the atomic level is a very new technology. The size of a nanometer is one-billionth of a meter. For comparison purposes, A very fine human hair is about 10,000 nanometers wide, which is the smallest dimension we can see with the naked eye. (Cook, 2005) Before research could begin, resear chers had to first invent a machine that could work with such small particles.Their goal was to manipulate atoms and molecules into a particular configuration a configuration capable of performing functions similar to a micro surgical operationor. The technology prior to nanotechnology started out rather primitive. It was a major deliver the goods in technology when void tubes were invented. They came into existence about the same time Thomas Edison invented the light bulb. Vacuum tubes were first utilized in computers in 1946 until 1958. By then, vacuum tubes could not be made any smaller, so technology gave us transistors.Transistors were expenditured in computers from 1959 to 1964. One transistor took the place of 40 vacuum tubes. When the limits of the transistor were reached, computer builders used integrated circuits from 1965 to 1970. In 1971, the microprocessor came into computer use. Faster and smaller than any come downg so far, the microprocessor led to the invention of personal computers. Now that the advancement of microprocessors has nigh reached its limits, it is now time for the next generation of processor, which some researchers say will be engineered on the nanometer scale.But, how will they manipulate particles on such a minute scale? Before manipulating atoms into the desired position, researchers had to see them first. Researchers had to invent a microscope that would allow them to see atoms. In 1981, IBM researchers invented the Scanning Probe Microscope (SPM). (University of Wisconsin, 2008) This microscope allowed researchers to see atoms. As it turns out, in 1989, researchers found they could actually manipulate atoms into the desired position with the SPM. researchers have been able to manipulate and stabilize atomic-size structures in such a way that they can persistently maintain the qualities needed to be classified as viable, though still strictly experimental, computational devices. (Goth, 2012)Atoms are constantly moving , so catching one to take around was very difficult. The atoms needed to be cooled down to near absolute zero, to -450 degrees Fahrenheit, the temperature where most atoms hardly move. The Scanning Probe Microscope (Nanooze, 2005) After cooling the atoms, researchers were able to use the SPM to move individual atoms to a specific location.One at a time, they moved the atoms into position to spell IBM. It took them nearly an entire day to do it. find image below Atoms arranged to spell IBM (Nanooze, 2005) Since the first manipulation of atoms had been demonstrated, researchers have continued to move atoms into complicated configurations, as shown in the figure below. Depiction of a nanotechnology produced gear set (Wifinotes, n. d. ) After all the groundwork had been laid, computer researchers turned their attention to using nanotechnology in the computer world.Their first target was the check. Current microchip technology limits have nearly been reached and the researchers went t o work shrinking the size of the processors . etching lithography techniques can only take features so far anything below 22nm is just not feasible. (European Nanotechnology Gateway, n. d. ) Right now, the newest chipsets using lithographic etching are being produced with 65nm features. Intel has realized a 10-15% improvement in drive current, which means greater performance, through the use of nanotechnology.Meanwhile, at IBM, to aid the shrinking of the processors, researchers have developed transistors from carbon nanotubes. ( European Nanotechnology Gateway, n. d. ) Carbon nanotubes show great improvements compared to conventional silicon transistors. The carbon nanotubes are long, thin strands of carbon molecules. In the lab, they delivered more than double the amount of electrical current compared to the top-performing transistors currently on the market. ( European Nanotechnology Gateway, n. . )A single strand of carbon atoms (red)contained in a multi-walled carbon nanotub e. (American Institute of Physics, 2003) Lithographic etching is being replaced with a new process called block co-polymer lithography, or BCP. Scientists have found a process to create nano-scale patterns that is expected to be used in the manufacture of microprocessors. Using the new process, silicon wafer features have been developed between five and 20 nanometers cryptic much smaller than the current 65 nanometers.In the figure below, you can see an image of a nano-scale microprocessor created by the BCP process (Nanotechnology, 2011) According to Nanotechnology Future engineering with the use of nanotechnology, it could be possible to transform desktop computers into computers that are the size of a watch but with more operating capacity and they will as well last longer than current computersComputers with the capabilities of current workstations will be the size of a grain of sand and will be able to operate for decades with the resembling of a single wristwatch battery .This technology advancement will make computers more abundant, cheaper to manufacture, faster, and smaller. (Nanotechnology Future Technology, 2012) When a processors feature size is reduced, it uses slight electricity and produces less heat, thereby becoming more efficient and economical to operate. Being more efficient and economical also means faster, more steady-going overall performance of the computer. ConclusionNanotechnology will provide the world with advancements in electronics along with many other fields, such as biology, chemistry and medicine. In the future, nanotechnology will play a major role in the discovery of new components, such as nano-sized microprocessors, and will enhance many other existing technologies. Nanotechnology will be the major technology in thedevelopment of every machine in coming years. (Wifinotes, n. d. ) Nanotechnology will greatly improve the functionality and performance of computers.