supercomputers that fit in your hand
Researchers at a university in Scotland believe that thanks to ever-expanding research into ultra thin nanowires, supercomputers the size of matchboxes might not be more than a decade away. Nanowires, some 1000 times smaller than a human hair, have exhibited strange behaviour due to their small size but the scientists at the University of Edinburgh think they have worked out how to minimise it, leading to their bold prediction.
The department of Physics where I study in Bristol has a massive new nanoscience building nearing completion. The field is full of promising breakthroughs for micro-sized (and so less energy intensive) devices, especially in computing. Anyone hoping to build a palm held supercomputer may well use devices like the holographic nanoassembler coupled with high speed atomic force microscopy to put together such tiny machines. The holographic nanoassembler is especially fascinating research as it never touches the tiny particles, using lasers to manipulate the smallest of objects. Nanowires are also incredibly useful for solar panels, where current efficiency is limited by the large metal substrates that carry electric charge, which obscure some of the sun-collecting surface.
October 22nd, 2007 at 1:27 am
Isn’t “massive nanoscience building” an oxymoron?
October 22nd, 2007 at 2:55 am
That all depends on whether you consider a multiple storey complex costing £17Million is massive or not…
October 22nd, 2007 at 2:58 am
There’s a flashier and more informative website for the holographic assembler project here, including a couple of videos of the assembler in action.
October 22nd, 2007 at 4:04 pm
Yeah, you’d think a nanoscience complex would be more impressive if it fit into a broomcloset…
October 23rd, 2007 at 1:02 am
Maybe we could create nano versions of ourselves to work in it Michael?
July 8th, 2008 at 11:45 am
I think if you used “Massively Small” to describe the facility, that would make it an oxymoron.