Nanocomputer
Encyclopedia
Nanocomputer is the logical name for a computer
smaller than the microcomputer
, which is smaller than the minicomputer
. (The minicomputer is called "mini" because it was a lot smaller than the original (mainframe) computers
.) More technically, it is a computer whose fundamental parts are no bigger than a few nanometers
. For comparison, the smallest part of current state-of-the-art microprocessor
s measures 45 nm as of February 21, 2007. No commercially available computers that are named nanocomputers exist at this date, but the term is used in science
and science fiction
.
There are several ways nanocomputers might be built, using mechanical, electronic, biochemical, or quantum
technology. It was argued in 2007 that is unlikely that nanocomputers will be made out of semiconductor
transistor
s (Microelectronic
components that are at the core of all modern electronic devices), as they seem to perform significantly less well when shrunk to sizes under 100 nanometers; however, as of 2011 it is projected that 22 nm
lithography devices will ship before 2012.
Computer
A computer is a programmable machine designed to sequentially and automatically carry out a sequence of arithmetic or logical operations. The particular sequence of operations can be changed readily, allowing the computer to solve more than one kind of problem...
smaller than the microcomputer
Microcomputer
A microcomputer is a computer with a microprocessor as its central processing unit. They are physically small compared to mainframe and minicomputers...
, which is smaller than the minicomputer
Minicomputer
A minicomputer is a class of multi-user computers that lies in the middle range of the computing spectrum, in between the largest multi-user systems and the smallest single-user systems...
. (The minicomputer is called "mini" because it was a lot smaller than the original (mainframe) computers
Mainframe computer
Mainframes are powerful computers used primarily by corporate and governmental organizations for critical applications, bulk data processing such as census, industry and consumer statistics, enterprise resource planning, and financial transaction processing.The term originally referred to the...
.) More technically, it is a computer whose fundamental parts are no bigger than a few nanometers
Nanometre
A nanometre is a unit of length in the metric system, equal to one billionth of a metre. The name combines the SI prefix nano- with the parent unit name metre .The nanometre is often used to express dimensions on the atomic scale: the diameter...
. For comparison, the smallest part of current state-of-the-art microprocessor
Microprocessor
A microprocessor incorporates the functions of a computer's central processing unit on a single integrated circuit, or at most a few integrated circuits. It is a multipurpose, programmable device that accepts digital data as input, processes it according to instructions stored in its memory, and...
s measures 45 nm as of February 21, 2007. No commercially available computers that are named nanocomputers exist at this date, but the term is used in science
Science
Science is a systematic enterprise that builds and organizes knowledge in the form of testable explanations and predictions about the universe...
and science fiction
Science fiction
Science fiction is a genre of fiction dealing with imaginary but more or less plausible content such as future settings, futuristic science and technology, space travel, aliens, and paranormal abilities...
.
There are several ways nanocomputers might be built, using mechanical, electronic, biochemical, or quantum
Quantum
In physics, a quantum is the minimum amount of any physical entity involved in an interaction. Behind this, one finds the fundamental notion that a physical property may be "quantized," referred to as "the hypothesis of quantization". This means that the magnitude can take on only certain discrete...
technology. It was argued in 2007 that is unlikely that nanocomputers will be made out of semiconductor
Semiconductor
A semiconductor is a material with electrical conductivity due to electron flow intermediate in magnitude between that of a conductor and an insulator. This means a conductivity roughly in the range of 103 to 10−8 siemens per centimeter...
transistor
Transistor
A transistor is a semiconductor device used to amplify and switch electronic signals and power. It is composed of a semiconductor material with at least three terminals for connection to an external circuit. A voltage or current applied to one pair of the transistor's terminals changes the current...
s (Microelectronic
Microelectronics
Microelectronics is a subfield of electronics. As the name suggests, microelectronics relates to the study and manufacture of very small electronic components. Usually, but not always, this means micrometre-scale or smaller,. These devices are made from semiconductors...
components that are at the core of all modern electronic devices), as they seem to perform significantly less well when shrunk to sizes under 100 nanometers; however, as of 2011 it is projected that 22 nm
22 nanometer
The 22 nanometer node is the CMOS process step following 32 nm. It was introduced by semiconductor companies in 2011. The typical half-pitch for a memory cell is around 22 nm...
lithography devices will ship before 2012.
See also
- NanotechnologyNanotechnologyNanotechnology is the study of manipulating matter on an atomic and molecular scale. Generally, nanotechnology deals with developing materials, devices, or other structures possessing at least one dimension sized from 1 to 100 nanometres...
- Starseed launcherStarseed launcherStarseed is a proposed method of launching interstellar nanoprobes at one-third light speed suggested by Forrest Bishop of the Institute of Atomic-Scale Engineering....
- Interstellar nanoprobes proposal - List of fictional computers in the 1980s - Low Energy Variable Input Nanocomputer (LEVIN) from William T Quick's novels Dreams of Gods and Men, and Singularities. (1989)
- Quantum computerQuantum computerA quantum computer is a device for computation that makes direct use of quantum mechanical phenomena, such as superposition and entanglement, to perform operations on data. Quantum computers are different from traditional computers based on transistors...
External links
- A spray-on computer is way to do IT
- Future Nanocomputer Technologies - Diagram of possible technologies (electronic, organic, mechanical, quantum).