Nanocomputer

Nanocomputer is the logical name for a computer smaller than the microcomputer, which is smaller than the minicomputer. (The minicomputer is called "mini" because it was a lot smaller than the original (mainframe) computers.) More technically, it is a computer whose fundamental parts are no bigger than a few nanometers. For comparison, the smallest part of current state-of-the-art microprocessors measures 28 nm as of March 24, 2012.^[1] No commercially available computers that are named nanocomputers exist at this date, but the term is used in science and science fiction.

There are several ways nanocomputers might be built, using mechanical, electronic, biochemical, or quantum technology. It was argued in 2007 that is unlikely that nanocomputers will be made out of semiconductor transistors (Microelectronic components that are at the core of all modern electronic devices), as they seem to perform significantly less well when shrunk to sizes under 100 nanometers;^[2] however, as of 2011 it is projected that 22 nm lithography devices will ship before 2012.

See also

• Nanotechnology
• Starseed launcher - Interstellar nanoprobes proposal
• List of fictional computers in the 1980s - Low Energy Variable Input Nanocomputer (LEVIN) from William T Quick's novels Dreams of Gods and Men, and Singularities. (1989)
• Quantum computer

References

External links

• A spray-on computer is way to do IT
• Future Nanocomputer Technologies - Diagram of possible technologies (electronic, organic, mechanical, quantum).

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