1. Nanotechnology

2. Definition
“Nanotechnology is the understanding and control of matter at dimensions of roughly 1 to 100 nanometers, where unique phenomena enable novel applications.” “Encompassing nanoscale science, engineering and technology, nanotechnology involves imaging, measuring, modeling, and manipulating matter at this length scale.” National Nanotechnology Initiative, 2007
Definition:
Most research universities and centers as well as private and government entities working with nanotechnology provide their own similar but distinct definition of nanotechnology. Therefore, the first lesson about nanotechnology is to understand that it is a broad multidisciplinary field encompassing all branches of science, engineering and technology as well as medical, business, finance, economics, social sciences and many other disciplines.
A general definition of nanotechnology is provided in the National Nanotechnology Initiative (NNI) website which is a federal government website ( The NNI agency was created to foster worldwide advancement and leadership in nanotechnology within the United States. The NNI definition for nanotechnology is:
“Nanotechnology is the understanding and control of matter at dimensions of roughly 1 to 100 nanometers, where unique phenomena enable novel applications.”
“Encompassing nanoscale science, engineering and technology, nanotechnology involves imaging, measuring, modeling, and manipulating matter at this length scale.” 7

3. Nanotechnology Language
Yow!
Nanobio
Nanodots
Nanowires
Nanoelectronics
Nanobots
Nanomaterials
Nanochondria
Nanotechnology Language:
Many similar yet differing definitions about nanotechnology exist.
For example, it would not be unrealistic to receive hundreds of hits from a search engine after typing the key words “nanotechnology” in the search field and executing a search.
You probably would end up with key words such as nanobio, nanodots, nanowires, nanoelectronics, nanobots, nanomaterials, nanochondria, etc. (Nanotechnology Now, 2007).
Fig. 1.4 – ACC Instructional Development Services.
Figure 1.4: Searching for nanotechnology. 6

4. Scale of Things—Nanometers
Hence, nanotechnology refers to the process, act or ability to work with materials or matter at the scale of 1 to 100 nanometers. The ability of working at this scale renders novel benefits to numerous products and applications such as those found in the semiconductor manufacturing, material science, medicine, etc.
However, what is the size of 1 nanometer? Albert Einstein estimated that the size of 1 sugar molecule was equal to 1 nanometer. One nanometer would also be equal to the linear size of 10 hydrogen atoms stacked side by side (Roueckes, et al., 2002). It is the same as one-billionth of a meter – a single bacterium is a few hundred nanometers in diameter and a DNA strand is approximately 2-12 nanometers across (NNI, 2007). The un-aided human eye can see down to about 10,000 nanometers (Ratner & Ratner, 2003).
A popular diagram found at shows size comparisons of natural and manmade things relative to the nanometer.
Fig
Figure 1.5: National Nanotechnology Initiative. 8

5. Brief History
The concepts of nanotechnology are not new to nature or to mankind. An early example of a manmade nanoprocess is stained glass.
Brief History:
The concepts of nanotechnology are not inherently new to nature or to the history of mankind. Science and nature have taught us that biological systems are built using small cells and proteins that follow an intrinsic plan dictated by infinitesimally small genetic coding (Roukes, et al., 2002). A well documented and early example of a manmade nanoprocess is the work of Medieval stained glass makers who used small nanosize gold particles of varying sizes to create the different color hues found in stained glass windows of Medieval churches and structures. Hence, gold particles display a different form of color depending on their size at the nanoscale (Ratner & Ratner, 2003). Gold at the larger scale, the macroscale, such as a gold brick reflects the well known yellowish color.
Fig
Fig
Figure 1.7: Stained glass windows.
Figure 1.8: Picture of gold nano particles. 10

6. Brief History, Continued
Birth of Nanotechnology
Professor Taniguchi of Tokyo Science University used the word “nanotechnology” to describe the science and technology of processing or building parts with nanometric tolerances.
A nanometer is a unit of length in the metric system, equal to one billionth of a meter.
Brief History, Continued:
Birth of Nanotechology:
In contemporary times, manufacturing tolerances of parts have approached nanometric dimensions, especially in the manufacturing of semiconductor devices. However, the term “nanotechnology” was not coined until 1974 by Professor Norio Taniguchi, whose work and research was in the area of high precision machining (Wikipedia, 2007).
Professor Taniguchi of Tokyo Science University used the word “nanotechnology” to describe the science and technology of processing or building parts with nanometric tolerances. Essentially, Professor Taniguchi’s theoretical concepts involved the use of electron, ion beam, and laser beam processes for machining tolerances at the nanoscale. (Booker & Boysen, 2005).
Fig
Fig – ACC Instructional Development Services.
Figure 1.9: Tokyo Science University.
Figure 1.10: Equivalent Units 11

7. Applications of Nanotechnology in Electronics

8. Electronics and Computers Nanotechnology Makes:
Smaller Transistors
Smaller Memory
Smaller Circuitry

9. Nanotechnology in Computer Processing
Moore’s Law

10. Moore’s Law describes a trend of technology
Moore’s Law describes a trend of technology. It states that the number of transistors that can be put on a single chip will double every two years.
cc by WGSimon
Wgsimon 10

11. A schematic diagram of the NIST nanowire transistor.
Image from National Institutes of
Standards and Technology
A schematic diagram of the NIST nanowire transistor.

12. Transistors
Instead of making transistor components and assembling them on a board, nanoscale transistors are grown together on a silicon wafer. They look much different from the traditional transistors.
cc by Ângelo
Antônio Leithold
Nano Transistor
Photo by Intel

13. The human brain has about 100 billion neurons.
Each neuron has thousands of synapses.
The newest processors have only two billion transistors.

14. Because of nanotechnology, the speed of computers has increased while the price of computing has decreased.
cc by Ray Kurzweil 14

15. Nanotechnology in Memory and Storage

16. This is a 2 gigabyte hard drive. It weighs about 70 pounds
This is a 2 gigabyte hard drive. It weighs about 70 pounds. It was first used in the 1980s. Its cost at that time ranged from $80,000 to $140,000.
Image by HighPoint Learning 16

17. 2 GB in 1980s $80,000
2 GB in 1990s $200
2 GB in $5
Image by HighPoint Learning 17

18. Current research shows that by using nanotechnology, 1000 GB of memory can fit on the head of this pin GB is 1 Terabyte.
Image by HighPoint Learning 18

19. Nanotechnology in Displays19

20. These layers contain transparent electrodes
Nanotubes are small enough that they cannot be seen, so they can be great conductors to be used as transparent contacts.
cc by Georg Wiora

21. Carbon nanotubes on a glass or plastic sheet allow manufacturers to make clear conductive panels for displays that are extremely thin.
Image ©LG

22. Image courtesy of Universal Display Corporation

23. Nanotechnology in Circuitry
How do we see these circuits? 23

24. To see the circuitry, researchers use an electron microscope or an atomic force microscope. This image shows different levels of a circuit.
Image courtesy Lucent Technologies. 24

25. In the Nano Electronics Activity, you will download the virtual microscope from the University of Illinois website. It allows you to explore samples with an SEM and AFM.
Screen Capture image of 25

26. This is a scanning electron Microscope image of an accelerometer.
You can use the controls to zoom in, pan, and take measurements.
Screen Capture image of Virtual Microscope Software 26

27. References New Design Developed for Silicon Nanowire Transistors
References   New Design Developed for Silicon Nanowire Transistors. (2005) NIST Tech Beat. Retrieved from Nelson, Max, and Shipbaugh, Calvin. (1995) The Potential of Nanotechnology for Molecular Manufacturing. [Kindle Edition]. Retrieved from The Transistor Turns 60. (2007) CNET News. Retrieved from html?tag=mncol Wilson, Michael, Kanangara, Kamali, Smith, Geoff, Simmons, Michelle, & Raguse, Burkhard. Nanotechnology: Basic Science and Emerging Technologies. (2004). [Kindle Edition] Retrieved from