Nanotube-based switching elements and logic circuits
View Patent ↗Nanotube-based switching elements and logic circuits are disclosed. Under one embodiment of the invention, a Boolean logic circuit includes at least one input terminal and an output terminal, and a network of nanotube switching elements electrically disposed between said at least one input terminal and said output terminal. The network of nanotube switching elements effectuates a Boolean function transformation of Boolean signals on said at least one input terminal. The Boolean function transformation includes a Boolean inversion within the function, such as a NOT or NOR function.
1. A Boolean logic circuit, comprising
at least one input terminal and an output terminal; and
a network of nanotube switching elements electrically disposed between said at least one input terminal and said output terminal, each of said nanotube switching elements comprising:
a first terminal;
a second terminal; and
a nanotube channel element;
wherein the nanotube channel element is configured to form a conductive path between the first and second terminals of the nanotube switching element in response to electrical stimulus applied to the nanotube switching element;
said network of nanotube switching elements effectuating a Boolean function transformation of Boolean signals on said at least one input terminal, said Boolean function transformation including a Boolean inversion within the function.
2. The Boolean logic circuit of claim 1 wherein said network of nanotube switching elements effectuates a Boolean NOT function of signals on the at least one input terminal.
3. The Boolean logic circuit of claim 1 wherein said network of nanotube switching elements effectuates a Boolean NOR function of signals on at least first and second input terminals.
4. The Boolean logic circuit of claim 1 , wherein the nanotube channel element comprises a nanotube ribbon.
5. The Boolean logic circuit of claim 4 , wherein the nanotube ribbon comprises a non-woven fabric of nanotubes.
6. The Boolean logic circuit of claim 4 , wherein the nanotube ribbon comprises substantially a monolayer of nanotubes.
7. The Boolean logic circuit of claim 4 , wherein the nanotube ribbon comprises single walled carbon nanotubes.
8. The Boolean logic circuit of claim 4 , wherein the nanotube ribbon comprises multi-walled carbon nanotubes.