Patent ID: 8031514
Filing Date: 2011-10-04
Classification: B82Y,G11C,H01H,H01L,Y10S

Abstract:
1. A non-volatile, bistable nanoswitch device comprising: an actuation element comprising one or more single-walled or multi-walled carbon nanotube spanning a gap between first and second electrical terminals exposed on a surface of an insulating nanosubstrate, the gap comprising a first nanoscale channel and a second nanoscale channel; a third electrical terminal exposed on the surface of the nanosubstrate and electrically connected to a conductive layer situated within the first channel; a fourth electrical terminal exposed on the surface of the nanosubstrate and electrically connected to a conductive layer situated within the second channel; wherein application of a first voltage between the first and third terminals causes the nanotube to form an electrical contact with the conductive layer in the first channel, whereby state 1 is activated by forming a non-volatile electrical connection between the first and third terminals; wherein application of a second voltage between the second and fourth terminals causes the nanotube to form an electrical contact with the conductive layer in the second channel, whereby state 2 is activated by forming a non-volatile electrical connection between the second and fourth terminals; and wherein activation of state 1 is accompanied by inactivation of state 2 , and activation of state 2 is accompanied by inactivation of state 1 .