Nanotechnology

Quantum Dot Mapping Points to Unthought of Applications
Alexander E. Braun, Senior Editor, November 5, 2009
University of Michigan physicists have mapped quantum dots, crystals with wide-ranging applications in electronics and photovoltaics. The step may lead toward "designer dots" that can be tailored for specific applications, and demonstrates the usefulness of X-ray phasing techniques. More
How Nanoscale Is Revolutionizing Technology and Business
A.E. Kaloyeros, B. Alperson, R. Brilla, R. Geer, S. Brenner, P. Haldar and E.M. Cupoli, University at Albany, College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering, Albany, N.Y., November 1, 2009
Leading researchers from the University at Albany's College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering present their perspectives on nanotechnology and its impact on our lives. More
New Multiferroic Materials Promise Exotic Devices, Faster Computing
Alexander E. Braun, Senior Editor, October 29, 2009
A multidisciplinary collaboration has led to the creation of a new multiferroic material with great potential for next-generation electronics. The theory started with Argonne Lab's Craig Fennie's principles of microscopic materials design, and could potentially end with new device structures that can independently write electrically and read magnetically. More
CNT Research Points to Higher PV Efficiency, Advanced Electronics
Alexander E. Braun, Senior Editor, October 19, 2009
Research results promise direct control over carbon nanotube (CNT) structures during growth. This could lead to CNTs with the potential to transport electricity faster and over greater distances than ever before, with minimal losses in energy. More
Leti Claims Silicon Nanowire Integration Breakthrough
Staff, October 7, 2009
Leti researchers have claimed progress in integrating silicon nanowires with CMOS, at temperatures compatible with CMOS processes. By oxidizing the catalyst for copper nanowires, the Leti team contravened conventional wisdom about oxygen's impact on nanowire growth. More
Innovation Through Collaborative R&D More Important Than Ever
Ludo Deferm, Executive Vice President, IMEC, Leuven, Belgium, October 1, 2009
The semiconductor industry is facing the headwinds of a challenging operating environment. However, even in periods of economic downturn, the industry will continue to seek new markets, and innovation is the key to prepare for the time when the economy picks up again. More
TeraGrid Receives $30M NSF Grant
Staff, September 1, 2009
The TeraGrid is receiving an additional $30M National Science Foundation grant that will support continued operation of the system of interconnected supercomputers. The grid, launched in 2001, includes participation by 11 U.S. computing centers. More
Second-Round Funding to Help Commercialize CNT IC Interconnects
Staff, August 24, 2009
Surrey NanoSystems has secured second-round funding of £2.5 million ($4.2M) that will help the company to commercialize a low-temperature growth process for carbon nanotubes (CNTs), to be used as CMOS interconnections. More
Duke Gains Control of Janus Particles
Alexander E. Braun, Senior Editor, August 13, 2009
Janus particles, which thus far could not be realized for lack of precise control, appear to finally have been domesticated by an engineering research team at Duke University. Janus particles have potential application in electronic displays, sensors and other devices. More
Taking Measurement Technology to the Quantum Level
Alain C. Diebold, College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering, Albany, N.Y., www.cnse.albany.edu, August 1, 2009
Quantum phenomena are present in every device that uses semiconductor materials, from ICs to photovoltaics to solid-state lighting. Nanoscale dimensions produce new materials properties that challenge measurement technology. Metrology must become more capable of imaging at atomic dimensions and measuring new materials with quantum-level properties. More
Commercial Nanotech Applications Continue on Track
Alexander Braun, July 16, 2009
At SEMICON West, the Extreme Nano session pointed to the fact that minuscule dreams are beginning to become reality. Applications such as nanoclusters for cleaning and implants, carbon nanotubes (CNTs) used for transparent conductive films and next-generation memory cells are finally becoming commercial realities. More
Post-Silicon Solutions Emerging
David Lammers, July 15, 2009
Researchers have an array of new technologies in the pipeline to boost CMOS logic and memory performance, Sematech Vice President Raj Jammy said Tuesday at the Device Scaling TechXPOT at SEMICON West. High-mobility graphene channels, gates built around nanowires, finFETs with III-V materials -- all promise to blow past the power/performance capabilities of silicon CMOS. More
Nanoelectronics Edge Into Production
Paula Doe, Contributing Editor, SEMI, San Jose, June 19, 2009
Graphene and spin wave transistors are among the technologies that look interesting for next-generation FETs. Near term, nanoelectronics products are entering commercial production. At SEMICON West, nanoelectronics challenges are part of the show's Extreme Electronics series on emerging technologies. More
Printed Electronics Seeing Wide Progress
Paula Doe, Contributing Editor, SEMI, San Jose, June 19, 2009
Executives from an array of printed electronics companies will describe progress in the field at SEMICON West. Materials, equipment and manufacturing processes for printed electronics are a focus at the show, including a July 16 session on Manufacturing Technology for Commercial Printed and Flexible Electronics. More
Saudi Arabia and Intel Plan R&D Center
Staff, April 29, 2009
Intel will help establish a center for nano-manufacturing in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, located at the King Abdul-Aziz City of Science and Technology (KACST) in Riyadh. Intel researchers will join with technologists and graduate students recruited from the Middle East, Turkey and Africa region (META) to work on processing and fabrication challenges. More
SWCNTs May Offer Cooler Interconnects
Sally Cole Johnson, Contributing Editor, April 6, 2009
University at Buffalo engineers recently proved with quantum mechanics that single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) offer “cooling” properties far superior to those provided by metals in electronics. Nanotubes could replace many of the metals used in ICs now, argues Cemal Basaran, director of the university’s Electronic Packaging Laboratory. More
‘Tuned’ Graphene Points to Faster Chips
Alexander E. Braun, Senior Editor, April 2, 2009
Researchers at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute have determined that the chemistry of the surface on which graphene is deposited plays a key role in shaping the material’s conductive properties. When deposited on a surface treated with oxygen, graphene shows semiconducting properties, and when deposited on a material treated with hydrogen, it exhibits metallic properties. The research was based on simulations. More
Research Brings Quantum Computing Closer
Alexander E. Braun, Senior Editor, November 10, 2008
University of Michigan researchers used lasers to create an arbitrary initialized quantum state of solid-state qbits at rates of ~1 GHz, taking fundamental steps toward qbit programming. The researchers trapped electron spin in a “dark state” in which they can arbitrarily adjust the proportions of 0 and 1 represented by the qbit. More
Magnetism and Nanocrystals Promise Denser Storage, New Devices
Alexander E. Braun, Senior Editor, October 30, 2008
When complex materials are reduced to the nanoscopic scale, never before observed electronic transport phenomena can be seen. Researchers at Oak Ridge National Laboratory are striving to gain a fuller understanding of the mechanisms at play, which could lead to new device applications in spin valves, MRAM or photovoltaics. More
Crossing the Semi/Nanotech Bridge
Alexander E. Braun Senior Editor, October 1, 2008
Some of the most immediate nanoscale applications, in carbon nanotubes and spintronics, take advantage of semiconductor processing's infrastructure. More