Nanotechnology Uses to Enhance Computer Performance Essay

Although the core concepts of nano engineering science were introduced in the early 1950s, nanotechnology was not right on 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 engineering of systems at the atomic level. Nanotechnology allow for be the major technology in using of every machine in coming years. (Wifinotes, n. d. ) Nanotechnology go away greatly improve the functionality and death penalty of computers.BodyIn everyday terms, Nanotechnology is based on manipulations of unmarried atoms and molecules to build complex atomic structures. (Tarasov, 2009, pg. 1) Working at the atomic level is a very forward-looking technology. The size of a nanometer is billionth of a meter. For comparison purposes, A very fine human fuzz is ab bulge out 10,000 nanometers wide, which is the smallerest dimension we underside fancy with the naked eye. (Cook, 2005 ) Before interrogation could begin, researchers had to first mould a machine that could work with much(prenominal)(prenominal) small particles.Their goal was to manipulate atoms and molecules into a particular var. a configuration capable of performing functions similar to a micro cognitive central processor. The technology prior to nanotechnology started out rather primitive. It was a major advance in technology when emptiness tubes were invented. They came into existence about the same time Thomas Edison invented the light bulb. vacancy tubes were first utilize in computers in 1946 until 1958. By then, vacuum tubes could not be made any smaller, so technology gave us junction transistors.Transistors were used 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 tha n anything so far, the microprocessor led to the invention of personal computers. Now that the advancement of microprocessors has virtually 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 typeset, 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 examine 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 smudge with the SPM. researchers wee-wee been able to manipulate and stabilize atomic-size structures in such a way that they can persistently maintain the qualities postulate to be class as viable, though still strictly experimenta l, computational devices. (Goth, 2012)Atoms argon constantly moving, so catching one to move 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. See prototype under Atoms arranged to spell IBM (Nanooze, 2005) Since the first manipulation of atoms had been demonstrated, researchers have proceed 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 turn their attention to using nanotechnology in the computer world.Their first target was the microchip. sure microchip technology limits have nearly been reached and the researchers went to 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 be being produced with 65nm features. Intel has realized a 10-15% improvement in drive current, which convey greater performance, through the use of nanotechnology.Meanwhile, at IBM, to aid the shrinking of the processors, researchers have developed transistors from degree centigrade nanotubes. ( European Nanotechnology Gateway, n. d. ) Carbon nanotubes show great improvements compared to formal silicon transistors. The carbon nanotubes are long, thin strands of carbon molecules. In the lab, they delivered more(prenominal) than double the amount of electrical current compared to the top-performing transistors currently on the market. ( European Nanotechnology Ga teway, n. . )A single strand of carbon atoms (red)contained in a multi-walled carbon nanotube. (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 crap 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 cryptical 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 hereafter Technology 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 faculty and they will also 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 equivalent 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 less electricity and produces less heat, thereby becoming more in effect(p) and economical to operate. Being more efficient and economical also means faster, more reliable overall performance of the computer. ConclusionNanotechnology will provide the world with advancements in electronics along with some(prenominal) other fields, such as biology, chemistry and medicine. In the future, nanotechnology will work out 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 imp rove the functionality and performance of computers.