Memory elements and cross point switches and arrays of same using nonvolatile nanotube blocks
First Claim
1. A circuit for routing electrical signals, said circuit comprising:
- a first plurality of wires;
a second plurality of wires; and
a plurality of nonvolatile nanotube block switches, wherein each nonvolatile nanotube block switch is in electrical communication with at least one wire of said first plurality of wires and at least one wire of said second plurality of wires, wherein each nonvolatile nanotube block switch is programmable to an on state and an off state, and wherein each nonvolatile nanotube block switch is dimensioned such that said on state has a resistance value suitable for electric signal flow between at least one wire of said first plurality of wires and at least one wire of said second plurality of wires.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Under one aspect, a covered nanotube switch includes: (a) a nanotube element including an unaligned plurality of nanotubes, the nanotube element having a top surface, a bottom surface, and side surfaces; (b) first and second terminals in contact with the nanotube element, wherein the first terminal is disposed on and substantially covers the entire top surface of the nanotube element, and wherein the second terminal contacts at least a portion of the bottom surface of the nanotube element; and (c) control circuitry capable of applying electrical stimulus to the first and second terminals. The nanotube element can switch between a plurality of electronic states in response to a corresponding plurality of electrical stimuli applied by the control circuitry to the first and second terminals. For each different electronic state, the nanotube element provides an electrical pathway of different resistance between the first and second terminals.
103 Citations
25 Claims
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1. A circuit for routing electrical signals, said circuit comprising:
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a first plurality of wires; a second plurality of wires; and a plurality of nonvolatile nanotube block switches, wherein each nonvolatile nanotube block switch is in electrical communication with at least one wire of said first plurality of wires and at least one wire of said second plurality of wires, wherein each nonvolatile nanotube block switch is programmable to an on state and an off state, and wherein each nonvolatile nanotube block switch is dimensioned such that said on state has a resistance value suitable for electric signal flow between at least one wire of said first plurality of wires and at least one wire of said second plurality of wires. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A circuit for routing electrical signals, said circuit comprising:
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a first wire; a first plurality of wires; and a plurality of nonvolatile nanotube block switches, wherein each nonvolatile nanotube block switch is in electrical communication with said first wire and at least one wire of said first plurality of wires, wherein each nonvolatile nanotube block switch is programmable to an on state and an off state, and wherein each nonvolatile nanotube block switch is dimensioned such that said on state has a resistance value suitable for electric signal flow between said first wire and at least one wire of said first plurality of wires. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A method for routing electrical signals, comprising:
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programming into an on state at least one nonvolatile nanotube block switch in a plurality of nonvolatile nanotube block switches by transmitting an electrical stimulus to said at least one nonvolatile nanotube block switch; and transmitting electrical signals through at least one nonvolatile nanotube block switch in an on state in said plurality of nonvolatile nanotube block switches. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25)
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Specification