A revolution of nanoscale dimensions

The continued drive to shrink the size and increase the functionality of electronic devices has seen the influence of nanotechnology strengthen as it offers materials with a layer thickness of one or a few atoms. Technological changes, awaited by computational scientists, are afoot.

The influence of nanoscience on electronics is causing a revolution in research ideas and industrial realities, as device dimensions are approaching 10 nanometres or less. Concurrently, the functionality of these devices and the computational capacities associated with them are increasing, in an effort to keep up with the prediction of Moore's Law that the number of transistors per chip will approximately double every year. Moreover, the expectations of end-users require a revolutionary period to be around the corner — prompting much fuel for thought.