TRN's Making The Future Report

February, 2004
Nanomechanics and Nanoelectronics: Molecule-Size Machines
52 pages

This report examines the current state of nanomechanics and nanoelectronics technologies, organizes key issues and puts them in context, and succinctly explains how the technologies work.

Nanotechnology research is aimed at building minuscule machines and electronics and constructing materials molecule-by-molecule. Raw materials include inorganic matter like metals and semiconductors, molecules like polymers and carbon nanotubes, and biological molecules like DNA and proteins.

The technology promises to open the way to faster and lower-power electronics, jewelry-size computers, data storage densities in the realm of several terabits per square centimeter, ultrahigh-bandwidth communications devices, microscopic transmitters and receivers, new types of devices like handheld biological sensors, and inexpensive manufacturing processes.

Near-term nanotech developments will make materials tougher and lubricants slipperier. Longer-term research is focused on developing the basic building blocks of nanoscale technology -- components that are hundreds of times smaller than a red blood cell.

The report includes an executive summary, a list of 18 developments to look for as these cutting-edge technologies take shape, and a section of 25 researchers to watch, including links to their Web pages. It also includes a quick tour of 56 recent developments in eight areas and a section of 42 in-depth news stories from TRN.

The stories are organized into eight categories: carbon nanotube electronics, nanowire electronics, nanowire fabrication, molecular electronics, nanotube mechanics, molecular mechanics, light-driven molecular mechanics and biomolecular mechanics.

TRN's Making the Future reports contain live links, and can be read on a computer, printed and archived.

Buy the the Nanomechanics and Nanoelectronics report for $89.

. You will receive download instructions via email.

Report Sections
Executive Summary: 304 words Main Report: 4,217 words How It Works: 994 words In-Depth Stories: 42 stories, including 31 images
Table of Contents: Main Report Race to the bottom Two worlds The advantages of smaller The challenges of smaller Electronics Nanotube electronics Nanowire electronics Nano light emitters The stuff of life Mechanics Nanotube mechanics Molecular mechanics Light-driven molecular mechanics Biomolecular mechanics Combined forces No small matter	How It Works The physics of the very small Going ballistic One at a time Come closer, but not too close Sunburned shape shifters Dancing DNA In-Depth Story Categories Carbon nanotube electronics Nanowire electronics Nanowire fabrication Molecular electronics Nanotube mechanics Molecular mechanics Light-driven molecular mechanics Biomolecular mechanics

Take a look at all available Making the Future reports.

View a four-page sample of the Making the Future report (pdf).

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