The stamping method involves using metal electrodes to guide the nanotubes into place. In effect, rather than laying down circuitry one tube at a time, this new technique embeds a mess of nanotubes at once, and then etches away the unwanted tubes. This bulk method saves time, and allows for more complex circuitry.

So far, the Stanford scientists have produced three-dimensional circuits with five to ten nanotubes per micrometer. At that level of complexity, the researchers managed to create a calculator that stores numbers and performs simple operations. A record, to be sure, but no where near the 100-plus nanotubes per micrometer needed to compete with modern silicon chips.

The scientists suspect they can reach that density within 10 years, at which point the carbon nanotube chips will dissipate heat better, run faster, and cost less, than regular silicon chips.

[Technology Review]

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First Nanotube Circuit Created, Paves Way For Better Chips

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