Introduction

Abstract

Nanotechnology is the art and science of designing materials, devices and systems at the nanoscale. Nanomaterials usually have critical dimension less than 100 nm, where one nanometer is a billionth of a meter, i.e. $1\,\mathrm{nm} = 10^{-9}$ m. To give an idea of the length scale, one may imagine that there are usually two to five atoms in one nanometer, depending on the type of atoms. Thus, nanotechnology boils down to working at the atomic scale ranging from a few atom systems to as many as millions or even billions of atoms packed into a cube of 100 nm side each.

Appendices

Problems

1.1 What is the number of transistors in the latest Intel chip?

1.2 What is the number of transistors in the latest flash memory chip? You may pick any manufacturer.

1.3 What is the transistor size (critical dimension) in the latest Intel chip?

1.4 What is the transistor size (critical dimension) in the latest flash memory chip? You may pick any manufacturer.

1.5 Name a 0D nanomaterial not mentioned in this chapter.

1.6 Name a 1D nanomaterial not mentioned in this chapter.

1.7 Name a 2D nanomaterial not mentioned in this chapter.

1.8 Briefly explain the top-down approach towards nanotechnology. Give one example.

1.9 Briefly explain the bottom-up approach towards nanotechnology. Give one example.

Research Assignment

R1.1 Manufacturing is an important aspect of Nanotechnology. Various examples include the use of molecular robots, nanocement, nanomaterials, nanopaints, sustainable manufacturing, etc. Pick a topic of your choice about how nanotechnology is affecting manufacturing in contemporary society, and write a one-page summary.