Nanotechnology is driving the next generation of electronics and computing.
Nanomaterials are being widely applied in the electronics and computing industry, primarily arising from the need to create smaller, faster microchips and memory devices, as well as offering improved performance for displays and sensors. Application of nanotechnology in integrated circuits are leading to improvements in processor density and performance, energy efficiency and reliability.
Organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) are also beginning to impact the market, enabling low power, flexible displays with high performance capabilities. Quantum dot displays with tunability that enables high-performance colour are also close to market. Nanomaterials are also being integrated into Field Emission Displays (FED), and Surface-conductive Electron-emissive Displays (SED), which are not on the market as yet, as opposed to commercially available OLED displays in portable electronic applications such as mobile phone screens and laptops. More products are being commercialised, and deals between electronics manufacturers, industrial producers and providers of alternative transparent conductive coatings are helping these technologies establish themselves in the transparent conductor market.
Nanomaterials offer the potential to meet a wide range of memory device needs including speed, power consumption, density, reliability, non-volatility, and lower cost. There are a number of nanotechnology-based approaches to the development of data storage that are currently under development: Magnetoresistive Random Access Memory (MRAM), Ferroelectric RAM, (FeRAM), Resistive RAM (RRAM), and NRAM (Nanotube RAM). Moore’s Law dictates that these current devices will inevitably rely on emerging nanotechnology, be it in materials or fabrication. Carbon nanotubes and nanocrystals are utilized for their radiation and temperature intolerance, high speed capabilities and long-term scaling potential. Samsung and Nanosys are two companies using nanocrystal memory to extend floating gate or charge trap flash memory structures.
Nanomaterials are driving the next generation of high performance electronic devices. Shrinking semiconductor device sizes have increased demand for more sophisticated materials, primarily nanomaterials. Carbon nanotubes and graphene may allow for the replacement of existing electrically conductive materials such as indium tin oxide (ITO) that are in short supply, expensive and limited in their use with flexible substrates. Nanomaterials are ideally suited to replace or complement traditional semiconductors in both high-performance and low-cost devices.
Demand is increasing for smaller, more highly integrated electronic products. This has led to ever higher performance and more complex semiconductor devices. As these devices become more highly integrated and incorporate more advanced functions, manufacturing processes are becoming more miniaturized and complex, and include diverse reliability factors.
Nanomaterials will meet a wide range of memory device needs including speed, power consumption, density, reliability, non-volatility, and cost. Nanotubes and nanocrystals are utilized for their radiation and temperature intolerance, high speed capabilities and long-term scaling potential.
Quantum dot displays with tunability that enables high-performance colour are also near market. Nanomaterials are also being integrated into field emission displays, and surface-conductive electron-emissive displays, and the next generation of printable electronics.
Coatings and films
Applications of nanocoatings and films in electronics include transparent electrodes for touch screens, liquid crystal displays, e-paper and OLED devices, and thin film photovoltaics. Carbon nanotube conductive inks and single layer graphene films are being developed for transparent conductive film for ITO replacement. These films have been incorporated into sensors on touchscreen technologies and as protective coatings on consumer electronics.
Data storage
There are a number of nanotechnology-based approaches to the development of data storage: Magnetoresistive Random Access Memory (MRAM), Ferroelectric RAM, (FeRAM), Resistive RAM (RRAM), and NRAM (Nanotube RAM). Nanotechnology will radically increase storage capacities through a variety of materials and processes, and, ultimately, replace current storage media with extremely high-density media and devices.
Electronics packaging
The use of nanomaterials can overcome current technical bottlenecks (e.g. insufficient bonding density) in electronics packaging and also satisfy the need of innovative integration from information, communication and consumer electronic industries when developing lightweight, thin, short and small, and highly integrated and more competitive products. Nanocomposites of nanotubes and nanopowders are being utilized in high density, high speed, miniaturized electronic packaging.
Printable electronics
Synthetic one-dimensional and quasi-one-dimensional nanomaterials have been the focus of enormous research efforts due to their size-related physical properties, and their potential as building blocks for nanoscale electronics. The high performance and low-temperature processability of inkjet printed single-walled carbon nanotube thin-film transistors makes them ideal candidates for printable electronics. Graphene is also a key material for future product development.
MAIN PLAYERS
General Electric, Hewlett Packard, IBM, NEC, Motorola, Samsung, Fujitsu Laboratories, Seagate, Kodak, Sony, Freescale, Intel, Unidym, Canatu, JenLaur Ltd., Nanotero, Inc., Dupont, QD Vision, Evident Technologies, Everspin Technologies, Inc., NVE Corporation, Nanotero, Nanosys, Molecular Imprints, Inc., ZettaCore, Spansion, Nanochip, Cambrios, Cima Nanotech, DA Nanomaterials
Questions & Answers
Q
Who are the main players in nanoelectronics?
A
All the leading semiconductors and electronics companies have R&D activities in nanotech. Lead players include General Electric, Hewlett Packard, IBM, NEC, Motorola, Samsung, Fujitsu Laboratories, Seagate, Kodak, Sony, Freescale, and Intel. IBM possess a raft of nanoelectronics patents.
Q
What products are we likely to see on the markets in the next five years?
A
Nanomaterials will hit the market first in additives for displays (quantum dots, graphene and nanotubes). Lightweight, flexible displays could be used in a multitude of new ways, including portable displays that could be folded up like a newspaper. Nanocoatings have already been applied in a number of consumer electronics devices. Application of nanotechnology in integrated circuits is also leading to improvements in processor density and performance, energy efficiency and reliability. Intel is currently utilising an atomic layer deposition process to deposit high-k materials in the fabrication of 45 nm chips. Companies such as Samsung and Nanosys are using nanocrystal memory to extend floating gate or charge trap flash memory structures.
