Nanomaterials for electronic applications: Beyond building blocks

Abstract

It was about three years ago when I was asked to contribute to the October 2004 issue of JOM as a guest editor on the subject of nanoelectronics. I was delighted about the opportunity. However, I admit that I struggled immensely when I was in the process of defi ning the scope of the particular issue [Silicon Nanoelectronics, 56 (10) (2004)]. It was such a broad fi eld to be covered by a few selective articles. I simply attempted to emphasize the fact that nanotechnology was not represented by miniaturization or “nanometer scale” manipulation, but that it was essentially characterized by bottom-up fabrication or synthetic approaches at the atomic level. Despite the fact that this distinction is not straightforward even today, signifi cant technology advances since then have made it enjoyable working for the current issue of JOM. Nanotechnologists nowadays generate prototypical electronic devices, which are often benchmarked with respect to roadmaps produced within a framework of leading technology platforms and their economic infrastructures. It is a necessary procedure for any disruptive technology to have a chance to be successful. This issue of JOM includes five excellent papers appearing under the theme of Nanomaterials for Electronic Applications. These papers were critically selected and reviewed by the Nanomaterials Committee of the Electronic, Magnetic, & Photonic Materials Division of TMS. This committee is young, only a few years old. Still, it has led key nanomaterials initiatives since it kicked off the fi rst Nanomaterials Symposium at the 2005 TMS Annual Meeting. The Nanomaterials for Electronic Applications: Beyond Building Blocks