Application of Nanotechnology in Modern Computers

Mr. Subhash V. Jadhav (svjadhav@coe.sveri.ac.in), Assistant Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering, SVERI’s College of Engineering, Pandharpur

The nanotechnology is a very broad area of study and research,having endless applications in the modern sophisticated miniature electronic devices. Many researchers have contributed to the development in this field and include study ofseveral fields like physics, chemistry, biology, material science, engineering, and computer science. In near future, nanotechnology is expected to bring a greatrevolutiondue to itshuge potential of being used in innumerableapplications. The role of nanotechnology in computerdevelopmentalongwith the benefits of nanotechnology using nanotubes, quantum dots in place of silicon chip inmodern computers are discussed here. It also deals with the future perspectives of Nanotechnology and risks expected due to nanotechnology during this development process.

            Today a computer is so small that it can be carried with one hand,but four decades ago the computers were hundreds of times slower and was occupying the size of a room. The idea of nanotechnology was first proposed by a physicist named Richard Feynman in 1959. Great scientists Feynman and Drexler proposed a new style of technology, which assembles individual atoms or molecules into a refined product.Feynman never technically used the term “nanotechnology” or “nanite” but he gave a speech called “There’s Plenty of Room at the Bottom”. The term “Nanotechnology” was actually propounded by K. Eric Drexler. First, the laws of physics do not always apply at nanometer-scalewhich is one billionth of the meter which is smaller than wavelength of visible light and or hundred thousand width of a human hair. The properties of matter at nanometer-scales are governed by a complex combination of classical physics and quantum mechanics. Nevertheless, bottom-up fabrication methods have been successfully used to make nanotubes and quantum dots. Using nanotechnology we can design and manufacture electronic components and devices that can be used directly to make smaller, faster and reliable computer.

DEFINITION:

            Nanotechnology is about the manipulation of matter on an atomic and molecular scale by controlling the size and shape at the nanometer scale that produces structures, devices and systems with at least one characteristic or property that can be also used directly to make smaller, faster and reliable components used in computers.Basically, nanotechnology works with materials, devices and other structures or structural components with at least one dimension size which is from 1 to 100 nanometers, like a few nanometers wide. Example- motor, robot arms, small electronic components, novel semiconductor devices and even whole computer far smaller than a single cell.

GENERATIONS OF NANOTECHNOLOGY:

The evolution of nanotechnology can be seen that it has witnessed four generations till date.

            1. First Generation-The first generation of Nanotechnology began in 2000. It was named as passive nanostructures. In this generation the contribution was of dispersed and contact nanostructures which is the creation of materials where we control their structure on a molecular level, but the actual product doesn’t do anything.

Examples are Aerosols, Colloids, Coatings, Nanoparticle reinforced composites, Polymers, Ceramics and nanostructured metals.

            2. Second Generation-The second generation came about in 2005. It was named as active nanostructures.They have a multitasking ability as well as they are active in some way and make changes to other objects or materials. This generation includes nano-scale devices such as the MEMS system in your Smartphone. These are microscopic accelerometers and gyroscopes that allow your phone to know which direction it’s being held and to track your motion.

Examples are-Bio devices, 3D Transistors, Amplifiers, Actuators, adaptive structures.

            3. Third Generation– The third generation was started in 2010. It is called as systems of nanosystems. This is where we see various nanomachines working together, assembling molecules or complex large-scale machines and materials. Its motto was to expand beyond the two-dimensional layer-by-layer approach currently used in microelectronics. Examples are Robotics, 3Dnetworking, guided assembling and new hierarchical architectures.

            4. Fourth Generation-The fourth generation of Nanotechnology was began in around 2015 when the first integrated nanosystems were developed. It is called as the molecular nanosystems.It is dealing with the manufacturing and development of nano computer by control of function at molecular level or at nanoscale dimensions. Examples are molecular devices by design, atomic design and emerging functions.

TYPES OF NANOCOMPUTERS:

Following are the different types of nanocomputers which have been proposed by researchers on the basis of applications.

1. Mechanical Nanocomputers
2. Electronic Nanocomputers
3. Chemical Nanocomputers
4. Quantum Nanocomputers
5. Nanorobots

Advantages

• The nano computers have very high computing performance.
• Low power is required for computing with nanocomputers.
• Nanocomputers are easily portable and flexible.
• It has faster rate of processing than the normal computers.
• Nanocomputers are usually smaller in surface area.
• Nanocomputers can be very efficient and light in weight.
• It can store a large amount of data.

Disadvantages

• Nanocomputers can cost lot of money since it requires expensive technology for manufacturing.
• Nanocomputers which use nanoparticles can cause health hazards.
• Nanocomputers require advance technologies making it difficult to manufacture.
• It can cause significant to environment and economy.
• Possibility of production of atomic weapons can endanger human life.
• It may lead to lack of employment.
• A faulty product cannot be recovered as its maintenance cost is very high.

CONCLUSION AND FUTURE SCOPE:

            Due to the great roles of the scientists in all fields related to molecular manufacturing contributed great advancement towards nanocomputers. The technology which got accelerated by Feynman’s statement “There’s Plenty of Room at the Bottom”, was related to the bottom-up technique which was the formula towards its success. The world will have much future advancement due to successful era of development in Nanotechnology.

• Nanocomputers will have a lot of improvement in its functioning i.e. fast and easily controllable, internal self-repairing which wasn’t expected early.
• The current trends and the future development will lead to huge contribution towards the field of computer science.
• Today nanotechnology being in the fourth generation of evolution is likely to show outstanding innovations in near future.
• This will increase the quality of lifeand will save more time of the society.

REFERENCES:

1. Boonserm Kaewkamnerdpong and Peter J. Bentley, (2005), “Computer Science for Nanotechnology: Needs and Opportunities”, Department of Computer Science, University College London, UK.
2. T. Srilatha, (2017), “Types of Nano Computers and Challenges of Quantum Computing”, SSRG International Journal of Computer Science and Engineering.
3. Mohammed Suhail Ansari and Pawan Gupta, (2014), “Nano Technology for Computer Science: Scope and Opportunities”, International Journal of Electronic and Electrical Engineering, Volume 7, pp. 213-218.
4. Sachin Kumar, Garima Pant, Vibhor Sharma and PoojaBisht, (2014),”Nanotechnology in Computers”, International Journal of Information & Computation Technology, Volume 4, pp. 1597-1603.
5. Sujata saini, (2015), “Nano computing”, Advances in Computer Science and Information Technology (ACSIT), Volume 2, pp. 53 – 57.