Gallery: IBM's New Carbon Nanotubes Could Move Chips Beyond Silicon

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    IBM Research
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    IBM is working to build significantly smaller computer chip parts using a material known as a carbon nanotube.
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    IBM Research
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    IBM's carbon nanotubes are essentially single-atom sheets of carbon rolled into cylinders.
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    IBM Research
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    With this scanning electronic microscope image, IBM shows how it applies ever smaller "contacts" to its carbon nanotube transistors. Contacts move current into and out of the transistor.
  • A schematic showing how IBM's shrinks transistor contacts also called the source and the drain.
    IBM Research
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    A schematic showing how IBM's shrinks transistor contacts, also called the source and the drain.
  • A SEM image showing a contact that's no longer than 10 nanometers about 1000 times smaller than a human hair.
    IBM Research
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    A SEM image showing a contact that's no longer than 10 nanometers, about 1,000 times smaller than a human hair.
  • A transmission electron microscope images showing IBM's contact work.
    IBM Research
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    A transmission electron microscope images showing IBM's contact work.
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    IBM Research
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    A schematic showing a 10nm contact.
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