The term “nanochip” can refer to a computer chip with nanometer-sized features or a new computer design based on nanotechnology. Nanochip, Inc. is a company using MEMS technology to create high-density storage devices with arrays of tiny atomic force probe tips. The company is backed by VC firms and larger chip companies, including Intel. “Nanochip” can also refer to conventional computer chips that integrate carbon nanowires into their structure, which may become the norm in the future.
“Nanochip” is a term that refers to a typical computer chip, which has feature sizes measured in nanometers, or a new computer design based on “nanotechnology,” another loosely defined word. Basically, the word is vague enough that it could theoretically be used to refer to any modern computer chip.
More specifically, the term “Nanochip” is most often associated with Nanochip, Inc., a company attempting to use MEMS (microelectromechanical systems) technology to create a high-density storage device that surpasses improvements in traditional storage methods , which are based on photolithography. Nanochip’s technology uses arrays of tiny atomic force probe tips to write electrically to a storage medium. The probe tips are only 25 nm in diameter and can modify areas of the storage medium with an accuracy of 10 nanometers or less. According to the company, this could enable microchips with storage capacities of 100GB by 2009 and terabytes (TB) later.
Nanochip, Inc. is backed by various VC firms and larger chip companies, including Intel. Its array probe technology resembles that of IBM Millipede, a defunct project that used a similar approach. Apparently Centipede was abandoned around 2006, for unknown reasons. Meanwhile, Nanochip has been working on its technology since 1996, but only started getting media coverage around 2007. Whether Nanochip’s technology will see the light of day or fail like Centipede remains to be seen.
Sometimes, the word “nanochip” is also used to refer to conventional computer chips that integrate carbon nanowires into their structure. Carbon nanowires are highly conductive, and chips using them cannot be produced solely using traditional photolithography: They must go through two manufacturing steps, one for the conventional chip and one to add the nanowires.
Nanowires are useful for processing due to their very small size and high conductivity. Between 2015 and 2025, it seems possible that computers will be built almost exclusively with carbon nanowires, but for now we’re in a transitional period between chips made using photolithography and chips made using more advanced methods.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN
