Tiny technology: the small world of nanotechnology opens possibilities for molecular computing. (includes related article on nanotechnology innovations)

Research in nanotechnology is taking two paths. Some see it as a general kind of research that will affect the future of computing indirectly by widening science's comprehension of the forces that tie all materials together, while others believe nanotechnology is a kind of molecular manufacturi...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inComputerworld Vol. 27; no. 31; p. 28
Main Author Bozman, Jean S
Format Magazine Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Computerworld, Inc 02.08.1993
Subjects
Computer industry
Future of Computing
Industrial research
Innovations
Miniaturization
Nanotechnology
New Technique
Outlook
Product introduction
Research and Development
Technological forecasting
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ISSN0010-4841

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Summary:Research in nanotechnology is taking two paths. Some see it as a general kind of research that will affect the future of computing indirectly by widening science's comprehension of the forces that tie all materials together, while others believe nanotechnology is a kind of molecular manufacturing in which physicists and computer system designers of the future can create things by placing atoms exactly. The goal is to use atom building-block components to create computers, mini-machines and chemicals. IBM scientist Don Eigler is a pioneer in nanotechnology, and another noted expert is K. Eric Drexler, who has written various books on the subject. Drexler suggests that before nanotechnology can become a reality, a number of scientific issues remain to be examined, such as thermal vibrations, the uncertainty of quantum mechanics and the long-term chemical instability of nanotechnology structures.
ISSN:0010-4841