World's First Programmable Nanoprocessor

[n2doc]

ScienceDaily (Feb. 9, 2011) — Engineers and scientists collaborating at Harvard University and the MITRE Corporation have developed and demonstrated the world's first programmable nanoprocessor.

The groundbreaking prototype computer system, described in a paper appearing in the journal Nature, represents a significant step forward in the complexity of computer circuits that can be assembled from synthesized nanometer-scale components.

It also represents an advance because these ultra-tiny nanocircuits can be programmed electronically to perform a number of basic arithmetic and logical functions.

"This work represents a quantum jump forward in the complexity and function of circuits built from the bottom up, and thus demonstrates that this bottom-up paradigm, which is distinct from the way commercial circuits are built today, can yield nanoprocessors and other integrated systems of the future," says principal investigator Charles M. Lieber, who holds a joint appointment at Harvard's Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology and School of Engineering and Applied Sciences.

more

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/02/110209131824.htm

[Newest Reality]

1. I won't be impressed until

the nanoprocessors can reboot this frac'ing Matrix:

1. Click "This shit sucks!"
2. Choose "Fix this shit!"
3. Click "yes" when prompted: "The system must be rebooted. Do you wish to reboot the system?"

That's progress!

[The Wielding Truth]

2. This is a big step to develop smaller and more potent technology. Fantastic!

It will be hard to imagine all the doors this will open. I hope all scientists remember first to do no harm with their use of these creations.

[DetlefK]

3. Might sound more impressive than it is.

1. Building such a nanostructure is of medium difficulty with todays technology, but implementing it is really hard: You have to add Input/Output-channels for commands and for data. And this borderline between diferent scales of size is where it gets tricky.
2. If you drop a microchip it's fine. If you drop such a device, the rifts and cracks on the surface will ruin your grid.
3. You have to choose the right materials for substrate and wires to prevent atomic surface-migration, especially when the device warms up during use.