Nanotechnology and Future Networks - Literature review Example

Nanotechnology and Future Networks Student’s Name: Presented To: Subject: Date: Introduction The field of computer science and more specifically information communication and technology has advanced radically in the past few decades. Besides, the world has been transformed into one global village and people are now capable of communicating on real-time basis at reasonable costs. The interesting bit of IT developments is the wireless technology and users are now capable of making computations and communicating intelligently through wireless ambience intelligence. The recent mobile technology and associated devices are becoming embedded in human environments –public places, offices and homes- and thus enabling a new platform which is facilitating ubiquitous sensing, communication, and computing. One of the key aspects of this new ambient intelligence is that the mobile devices are robust and autonomous. It is possible to deploy them anywhere without attending to them and thus mobile technology devices are becoming gateways for personal access to required information and ambient intelligence. This is illustrated in Appendix A according to Ermolov et al. (2007). However, mobility that comes along with this new technology calls for limited size or memory as well as save on energy/ power consumption. Besides, having a seamless connectivity with other fixed networks and devices comes in handy as a facilitator for ambient intelligence systems. Hence requirements for increased data rates of wireless linkjs become critical. As a consequence, sensing, intelligence, increased data rates, and context awareness demands for large memory space and computing power which together with the size limitations leads to severe challenges in thermal management. However, current technologies are not in position to provide solutions for sensing, audio, actuation, embedding intelligence into environment, power efficient computing, memory, energy sources, human-machine interaction, materials, mechanics, manufacturing, and environment issues. Nanotechnology in science and technology disciplines entails controlling matter on a scale between 1-100 nanometers. It is multi-disciplinary as it encompasses various fields for instance biosciences, physics, chemistry, mechanical, and electrical engineering. Thus, in future nanotechnology will affect all these disciplines besides forming the foundation of future networks/networking. In this respect, nanotechnology can be utilized in innno8vating human mobility systems sand thus fuse the physical and digital worlds together especially with reference to the wireless communication technologies. Development of Nano-Machines Miniaturization and fabrication of devices has led to development of nanomachines which Ian (2008, p. 2261) defines as ‘an artificial eutectic mechanical devices that relies on nanometer-scale components’. In particular, Ian defines a nano-machine as ‘a device consisting of nano-scale components, able to perform a specific task at nano-level such as communicating, computing, data-storing, sensing, and/or actuation’ (Ian 2008, p. 2261). Nanomachines have the capability ton perform such tasks because of their simplicity and restriction within their environment due to their small size and low complexity. Nanomachines are developed by use of three major approaches: top down approach –existing micro-electro-mechanical and micro-electronic technologies are downscaled without atomic level control; bottom-up approach –nanomachines are made out of molecular components that assemble themselves molecule by molecule through recognition of molecular relationship; bio-hybrid is a recently proposed approach based on modification of current biological nanomachines for instance molecular motors as models or components to develop new nanomachines (Whitesides 2001). According to Ian (2008) these three approaches forms the foundation for development of nanomachines and the different systems are mapped in Appendix B (p. 2262). Expected Features of Nanomachines In the development of nanomachines, one of the major constraints experienced is lack of tools capable of handling and assembling molecular structures precisely. Nevertheless, the rapid advancement of molecular technologies will in future facilitate efficient fabrication of more complex nano-machines (Ian 2008, p. 2262). It is anticipated that nanomachines will encompass the basic functionalities of the current devices at micro-scale in addition to the molecular properties of their materials which can be exploited at nano-scale level. Besides this, some of the most significant and anticipated features of nanomachines are as follows; 1. Self-contained; it is expected that they will contain a code or set of instructions to realize the intended task. Such set of instructions or code will be embedded in the molecular structure of nano-machines (Ian 2008 p. 2263). 2. Self-assembly; a number of disordered elements within the nano-machine will be capable of forming an organized structure due to local interactions among them without any interventions externally. Molecular affinities between two different elements drive self-assembly at nano-level. Besides, self-assembly will also facilitate nano-machines to interact with external molecules in an autonomously (Ian 2008, p. 2263). 3. Self-replication; some devices will be capable of making exact copy of themselves using external elements and this will enable creation of large number of nano-machines in order to accomplish some macroscopic tasks inexpensively (Merkle 1992). 4. Locomotion; the main objective of nanomachines is to achieve specific tasks generally described by a spatial-temporal actuation (Ian 2008, p. 2263). However, based on the fact that a nano-machine is not capable of moving towards a particular target they are governed by nano-propellers and nano-sensors to detect and follow specific directions –widely applied in nano-robots. 5. Communication; major and complex will be accomplished if nanomachines are able to cooperate with each other. The communication must however be molecular-based and further advancement of nano-actuators and nano-sensors will come in handy to facilitate incorporation of molecular transceivers into nanomachines. Architecture of Nanomachines According to Cavalcanti et al. (2008), a nanomachines comprises of various components which include; a control unit, communication unit, reproduction unit, power unit, and sensors and actuators. This architecture is illustrated in Appendix C. Components of nano-networks Nowadays, nano-networks are being applied in ICT to improve existing telecommunication networks. In this regard, Ian (2008) argues that there are five distinct components of nano-networks; ‘the transmitter node, the receiver node, the messages, the carrier, and the medium’ (p. 2267). Transmitters are used to encode messages onto molecules and besides it inserts message into the medium by releasing molecules to the environment or attaching them to molecular carriers (Ian 2008, p. 2267). Subsequently, the message is propagated onto receivers form the transmitter and this makes it possible to detect the message. On the other hand, the molecular message is decoded by receiver into useful information for instance data sharing, reaction, and actuation commands among others. Thus Ian (2008, p. 2267) makes a comparison between traditional networks and nano-networks as applied in today’s and this is illustrated in Appendix D. Application of Nanonetworks Sensors and Sensing Since the early 1990s, automotive technologies have been using micro chemical sensors and there is increased demand for more miniaturized micro chemical sensors proportional to increased demand for consumer mobile and electronic devices. With such high demand, there is need to develop truly embedded sensors based on nano-structures to cater for today’s intelligent environments. On the other hand, nanotechnology may or will in future be used to supplement the sensory capabilities of human being based on embedded or wearable sensors as well as ability to integrate the immense global sensory data into meaningful information. In this respect, nanotechnology will come in handy in order to embed the autonomous and intelligent devices into various physical objects in the sense that such devices are required to adapt to the new environments as well as become part and parcel of various network devices within the surrounding. Consequently, another solution provided by nanotechnology is that it brings to reality bio-chemical sensors that are table and robust enough to survive over a long period of time. These bio-chemical sensors will supplement existing mechanical sensors that are capable of surviving harsh environmental conditions. On the other hand, a much as sensor nanotechnologies are being driven by miniaturization, the size is critical in order to enable easier integration into current systems. Radio Frequency Currently, operations of Radio Frequency in the GHz frequency range face a lot of challenges with respect to slow processing speed and unnecessary interference. Nanotechnology offers a solution here in that it facilitates to build systems with multiple nano-scale resonators for instance NEMS devices which can be applied in GHz signal processing application (Sazonova et al. 2004). Thus it would be possible to make spectral processing in Radio Frequency domains feasible. This is specifically applicable in high data rate wireless communication systems. Subsequently, a specific application can be in spectral sensing in mobile devices which have cognitive radio features or flexible spectrum use. Besides, nano-elements for instance carbon nano-tubes are being applied to make wireless sensor node components; sensing unit, processing unit, transceiver unit and power unit (She & Yeow 2005).on the other hand, possible application of nanotechnology is in antennas. There is need to increase electromagnetic dissipation by reducing the size of current antennas. In this regard, nano-technology would come in handy to tailor the new magnetic nano-particles so as to reduce losses as well as tune the electrical permeability and permittivity to optimal values. Enhanced wireless communication speed with less energy consumption As more technologies are becoming wireless based, there is demand for increased computation levels with limited power. Ermolov et al. (2007, p. 2) argues that in the near future, it would not be possible reduce to a higher level the transistor size due to restrictions in manufacturing technology. In this respect, a switch to speed of 12THz, circuit speed of 61 GHz and switching energy of 3x1018J will be imminent (Ibid, 2007). New nanotechnology-based approaches aimed at realizing transistors with improved properties and combining nano-elements with traditional circuits will offer a solution. In this regard, particular nano-systems, analogue or digital, would replace some circuitry and they would be customized to perform definite signal processing tasks with sufficiently improved speed and power efficiency. Mobile Phones In the recent past, mobile phone technology has advanced rapidly and nowadays there is integration of a wide range of features such as video, pictures, music, and data for various applications. In this respect, they require sufficient storage space in their internal memory ranging form 10 GB to 100 GB. However, such large mobile phone memories must meet tough requirements for instance low power consumption. Generally, the capacity of mobile phone batteries is limited to 500-1500 mAh and the maximum heat dissipation (2-4 W) based on reliability and safety is also limited. Besides, Flash memory offers solution to reliable mass storage although in future it will face limitations such as power consumption. Therefore, in this sense new nanotechnology-based memory technologies are being sought and they are for instance Magnetic RAM (MRAM), Ferro-electric RAM (FeRAM), Carbon Nanotube Memory (CNT) and molecular memory among others. In the same note, Meg (2005) in his article argues that nanotechnology will bring about better communication interfaces over the networks. For instance, the author gives s an example of probable improvements of computer screens or life of batteries of cell phones. In this regard, the Meg (2005) suggests that in the next one decade, a generic 3G cell phone will be using ‘organic light-emitting diodes (OLED) that outperform a liquid crystal display at 20% lower cost’ (Meg 2005, p. 22). Besides, such cell phones more likely have nano-enabled memory chips that will acquire less space, consume less power, and cost less money. Thus the author suggests that future computing paradigms are going to be based on nanotechnology. Subsequently, in one of his examples, Meg (2005) explains how Motorola is making use of carbon nano-tubes deposited into glass tubes to reduce the display panel of a TV to less than 3.3 millimeters in thickness as well as nano-enabled memory chips. Conclusion The advancements into nanotechnology are imminent and they will impact heavily on almost every aspect of life or discipline. However, the application and ability to control nanotechnology will be of great importance in as it will ensure sustainable growth in every field for instance security and health care systems. Besides, nanotechnology becomes the norm in the recent future, many things such as cyber terrorism and bioterrorism will be unavoidable. Such will be some of the challenges facing that will face researchers. On the other hand, there will be intrinsic technological problems which will limit application of more advanced materials, actuators, sensors, and other devices at nano-scale if they will not be capable of integrating more properly to execute complex tasks. Nevertheless, there is no doubt that molecular communication will be a paradigm shift towards a new communication system i.e. nanonetworks. References Meg, MS 2005, ‘Nanotechnology’s Shadow: The science of manipulating small particles unleashes big issues’, Communications Of The ACM, vol. 48, no. 9, pp. 21-23. Ian FA, Fernando, B & Cristina, B 2008, ‘Nanonetworks: A new communication paradigm’, Computer Networks, vol. 52, pp. 2260–2279. Ermolov V, Heino M, Kärkkäinen A, Lehtiniemi, R, Nefedov N, Pasanen P, Radivojevic Z, Rouvala M, Ryhänen T, Seppälä, E &Uusitalo MA 2007, ‘Significance of nanotechnology for future wireless devices and communications’, The 18th Annual IEEE International Symposium on Personal, Indoor and Mobile Radio Communications (PIMRC'07), Nokia Research Center, Helsinki, pp. 1-5. Whitesides, GM 2001, ‘The once and future nanomachine’, Scientific American, pp. 78–83. Merkle R 1992, ‘Self-replicating systems and molecular manufacturing’, Journal of the British Interplanetary Society, vol. 45, pp. 407–413. Cavalcanti, A, Shirinzadeh, B, Freitas, RA & Hogg T 2008, ‘Nanorobot architecture for medical target identification’, Nanotechnology, vol. 19, no. 1, pp. 1–12. She JPM. & Yeow JTW 2005, ‘Nanotechnology-Enabled Wireless Sensot Networks: Overcoming the Limitations from a Device Perspective’, in Proceedings of the IEEE International Conference on Mechatronics and Automation, Niagara Falls, Canada. Sazonova V, Yaish Y, Ustünel H, Roundy D, Arias TA, & McEuen P 2004, ‘A tunable carbon nanotube electromechanical oscillator,’ Nature, vol. 43, pp. 284-287. Appendix A Appendix B Appendix C Appendix D Read More