GE Claims Ten-Atom Wide Nanotube

Richthofen80 writes "GE is touting a development in nanotechnology; specifically they say they've developed a nanotube ten atoms wide. While the article is a little sparse on the applications for such tubes, they do seem to mention how this should help delay the impending Moore's law crisis with transistor size. According to the article, 'Unlike earlier designs, GE's nanotube can both emit and detect light, GE said. That means it has potential to perform tasks like shining small amounts of light on molecules, a possible application in medicine or security.'"

Comments

Too thin?

[kev0153]

Kramer: "I've cut slices so thin, I couldn't even see them."

Elaine: "How'd you know you cut it?"

Kramer: "Well, I guess I just assumed."

Re:Holy Patent Application!

[Dr. Smeegee]

Heh. Yeah. Six Sigma (as applied, read "Cult of Statistical Analysis") is a stack of really effective tools blunted by inexperienced users. Shoving these fairly complicated methodologies down the throats of unwilling workers and customers. It works like gangbusters on the factory floor - it don't work for coding.

Re:The article refers to a 'device'

[p3tersen]

No. The abstract to their publication (Appl Phys Lett 85 145) begins:

We demonstrate a single-walled carbon nanotube p-n junction diode device. The p-n junction is formed along a single nanotube by electrostatic doping using a pair of split gate electrodes. By biasing the two gates accordingly, the device can function either as a diode or as an ambipolar field-effect transistor.

It's a device.