BANGALORE, INDIA: With each new generation of semiconductor devices, the critical dimension of electronic structures shrink, requiring new manufacturing systems and new capabilities, such as the ability to apply thin-films atom-by-atom.

The solution lies in nanomanufacturing technology, the combination of an innovative use of materials with the practical concept of high-volume precision manufacturing.

This production is a high-level review of nanotechnology emphasizing Applied Materials' leadership in providing nanomanufacturing technology solutions for the electronics industry.

Nanotechnology is a word used to describe materials and devices that are between 1 and 100 nanometers in size. The prefix “nano” means one-billionth, so a nanometer is one-billionth of a meter. To illustrate how small this is, a typical piece of paper is approximately one hundred thousand nanometers thick.

The Nano Touch

Today there are many consumer products that are being improved with nanotechnology. Clothing treated with polymers containing nano-sized particles become wrinkle and stain-resistant. Some garments have been designed with nano-sized silver particles incorporated into the thread to absorb odors.

Sporting equipment such as golf clubs, golf balls, tennis rackets, and hockey sticks are made stronger and lighter when constructed of materials built with nanotechnology. Even the automotive industry is applying nanotechnology to create scratch-resistant paint and polishes that prevent build-up on surfaces.

Research scientists are working with nanotechnology to find solutions in the medical, environmental, manufacturing, automotive, safety, and energy fields. For instance, biotech firms are searching for solutions to medical challenges, such as devices to better target bacteria, viruses and cancers in the human body.

Also Read: Demystifying the making of a microchip

As an alternative to burning natural gas, coal and other fossil fuels to power and heat homes, researchers are exploring the use of nanotechnology to create inexpensive solar cells, harnessing the sun as a renewable energy source. Other products scientists are researching include wear-resistant tires for automobiles, highly-sensitive medical sensors that can detect poisonous substances, lighter and stronger materials for building homes and automobiles, and microscopic probes that can measure the smallest of dimensions.

Some research in nanotechnology is inspired by nature. For example, a small tropical lizard, the gecko, has the ability to climb on walls and ceilings of almost any surface. The gecko has nano-hairs, approximately two hundred nanometers in diameter that grip surfaces.

This unique capability may lead to new adhesives. Another example is spider’s silk. Exploration into this ultra-strong, yet extremely light and flexible material will determine whether a synthetic version can be easily manufactured. If synthetic spider’s silk can be economically produced, clothing, parachutes and rope could be made lighter and stronger.

So, nanotechnology has applications in a wide range of consumer products but the most prominent application of nanotechnology is in the semiconductor industry, where nanomanufacturing technology is used to create smaller transistors, allowing more of them to be placed on a single processor. As a result, more powerful, less expensive electronic devices can be created.

As the demands on semiconductors and related product solutions increase, more powerful, portable and affordable devices are required. Applied Materials advanced technology and precision equipment enables nanomanufacturing technology leading to commercial success. Our systems enable manufacturers to etch and deposit materials, clean wafers between process steps, planarize the surface of a wafer, and inspect wafers for defects on the nanoscale.

These capabilities empower our customers to develop and introduce new technologies and improve products across a large spectrum.

Small computers built into televisions, home appliances, automobiles, and houses, bringing greater efficiency and functionality Smaller cell phones with better cameras and communication technologies PDAs with integrated cell phones as communication platforms by providing access information anytime and anywhere More efficient photovoltaic cells bring down the cost of harnessing the power of our sun, making energy generation more environment friendly than ever before.

Better houses, computers, televisions, and phones, better access to information, and greener energy: all of this is enabled through nanomanufactuing technology provided by Applied Materials. To put it simply, Applied Materials applies nanomanufacturing technology to improve the way people live.