Nanotech Wonders Galore
Thesis: After some grueling finals, I'm back to posting on nanobound. I'd like to catch you up on some of the exciting and recent developments in nanoscience. To give you some idea of the speed with which the science of nanotech is moving, consider that these are selected developments from just the last few weeks.
Electrowetting of Carbon Nanotubes:
Never before had researches been able to cause liquid to enter a carbon nanotube. In fact, a body of research indicated it was impossible. However, researchers at Cal Tech successfully caused mercury to fill carbon nanotubes using techniques to exploit certain electric properties of mercury. The breakthrough could have applications in nanofluidics such as the development of printers with resolution at the nanoscale. Read more here.
Single Molecule Switching
If Moore's Law, which states that the speed of processors will double every year, is to continue, then a new platform technology will eventually be required. Current methods are limited by the resolution that can be achieved using light to burn circuit patterns into silicon, which in turn is limited by the natural wavelength of light. Researchers are testing many different methods of creating smaller circuits in anticipation of this barrier. One development occured recently as researchers announced they have created a reliable single molecule switch. Read more here.
Nano-Lasers
Heading in the opposite direction of Reagan's Star Wars program, scientists have discovered how to make tiny lasers, only 60 nanometers wide. They used a silicon wafer with billions of tiny holes and green light from an Argon Ion laser to create a lasing effect. Though the experiment occured at cryogenic tempetures, they hope that further research will reveal phenomena that can be harnessed for practical application. Read more here.
DNA Pyramids
Researchers in the UK have developed a simple, scalable method for creating tetrahedral pyramids using double helix DNA. The structures self-assemble with 95% reliability. Such pyramid structures, which are used in modern day architecture at the macro level, can withstand significant stress at the nanoscale as well. The researchers believe the pyramids could be used to support nanowires or other structures in the fabrication of nanoelectronic systems. Read more here.
Electrowetting of Carbon Nanotubes:
Never before had researches been able to cause liquid to enter a carbon nanotube. In fact, a body of research indicated it was impossible. However, researchers at Cal Tech successfully caused mercury to fill carbon nanotubes using techniques to exploit certain electric properties of mercury. The breakthrough could have applications in nanofluidics such as the development of printers with resolution at the nanoscale. Read more here.
Single Molecule Switching
If Moore's Law, which states that the speed of processors will double every year, is to continue, then a new platform technology will eventually be required. Current methods are limited by the resolution that can be achieved using light to burn circuit patterns into silicon, which in turn is limited by the natural wavelength of light. Researchers are testing many different methods of creating smaller circuits in anticipation of this barrier. One development occured recently as researchers announced they have created a reliable single molecule switch. Read more here.
Nano-Lasers
Heading in the opposite direction of Reagan's Star Wars program, scientists have discovered how to make tiny lasers, only 60 nanometers wide. They used a silicon wafer with billions of tiny holes and green light from an Argon Ion laser to create a lasing effect. Though the experiment occured at cryogenic tempetures, they hope that further research will reveal phenomena that can be harnessed for practical application. Read more here.
DNA Pyramids
Researchers in the UK have developed a simple, scalable method for creating tetrahedral pyramids using double helix DNA. The structures self-assemble with 95% reliability. Such pyramid structures, which are used in modern day architecture at the macro level, can withstand significant stress at the nanoscale as well. The researchers believe the pyramids could be used to support nanowires or other structures in the fabrication of nanoelectronic systems. Read more here.
posted by Clayton at 4:52 PM
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