Design of Nanotechnology Products

Abstract

This chapter elaborates some peculiar features associated with design of nanodevices, here defined as devices incorporating nanomaterials. The most obvious consequence of nanotechnology is the creation of very small objects, an immediate corollary is that there must be a great many of these objects. Processor chips, which are presently the most vastified objects in the nano world, aspects requiring special attention are: power management, especially to control leakage; process variability, which may require a new conception of architectural features; and a systems-oriented approach, integrating functions and constraints, rather than considering the performance of individual transistors. Evolutionary design principles may become essential for designing nanodevices. Genetic programming is closer to natural selection. Human knowledge can be captured not only in the design of the algorithms, but also by incorporating an interactive stage in the fitness evaluation. Nanotechnology, by allowing rapid material prototyping, should greatly enhance the real availability of novelty.