Electromechanical three-trace junction devices

• US 20060231865A1
• Filed: 06/15/2006
• Published: 10/19/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 12/28/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nantero Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Nantero Incorporated
• Inventors: Segal, Brent M., Rueckes, Thomas, Bertin, Claude
• Granted Patent: US 7,521,736 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 257/209
• CPC Class Codes: B82Y 10/00 Nanotechnology for information processing, storage or transmission, e.g. quantum computing or single electron logic
• CPC Class Codes: G11C 11/56 using storage elements with more than two stable states represented by steps, e.g. of voltage, current, phase, frequency
• CPC Class Codes: G11C 13/025 using fullerenes, e.g. C60, or nanotubes, e.g. carbon or silicon nanotubes
• CPC Class Codes: G11C 2213/77 Array wherein the memory element being directly connected to the bit lines and word lines without any access device being used
• CPC Class Codes: G11C 23/00 Digital stores characterised by movement of mechanical parts to effect storage, e.g. using balls; Storage elements therefor
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 1/0094 Switches making use of nanoelectromechanical systems [NEMS]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 977/742 Carbon nanotubes, CNTs
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 977/932 for electronic or optoelectronic application
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 977/936 in a transistor or 3-terminal device
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 977/943 Information storage or retrieval using nanostructure

Abstract

Three-trace electromechanical devices and methods of using same are described. The device of the present invention includes first and second electrically conductive elements with a nanotube ribbon (or other electromechanical elements) disposed therebetween. The nanotube ribbon is capable of maintaining its position after removing an electrical stimulus applied to at least one of the first and second electrically conductive elements. Such devices may be formed into arrays of cells. One of the conductive elements may be used to create an attractive force to cause the nanotube ribbon to contact a conductive element, and the other conductive element may be used to create an attractive force to pull the nanotube ribbon from contact with the contacted conductive element. The electrically conductive traces may be aligned or unaligned with one another.

Claims

1. A device comprising:

a first electrode;

a second electrode; and

a nanotube ribbon between the first electrode and the second electrode;

wherein the nanotube ribbon is responsive to the first electrode and the second electrode.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein

the nanotube ribbon comprises at least one nanotube extending along the extent of the nanotube ribbon.

3. The device of claim 1, further comprising:

a material positioned in between the first electrode and the nanotube ribbon.

4. The device of claim 3, wherein

the material comprises an insulating material.

5. The device of claim 3, wherein

the material is in contact with at least one of the first electrode and the nanotube ribbon.

6. The device of claim 3, further comprising:

a material positioned in between the second electrode and the nanotube ribbon.

7. The device of claim 6, wherein

the material placed in between the second electrode and the nanotube ribbon comprises an insulating material.

8. The device of claim 6, wherein

the material placed in between the first electrode and the nanotube ribbon is in contact with at least one of the first electrode and the nanotube ribbon;

and

the material placed in between the second electrode and the nanotube ribbon is in contact with the second electrode and the nanotube ribbon.

9. The device of claim 6, wherein

the material placed in between the first electrode and the nanotube ribbon comprises an insulating material;

and

the material placed in between the second electrode and the nanotube ribbon comprises an insulating material.

10. The device of claim 1, wherein

the nanotube ribbon is in spaced relation to the the first electrode.

11. The device of claim 10, wherein

the nanotube ribbon is in spaced relation to the the second electrode.