Nanotechnology

Nanotechnology is where all the scientists and engineers are looking to now for the future. Going from large integrated circuits with super computers that was the size of an entire building to micron level circuitry that is located from mobile phones to personal computer only means that nanotechnology is the next logical step. We are trying to make things smaller, cheaper, and faster. How does nanotechnology impact wireless technologies though?

Researchers at Purdue University have made a nanotechnology device that converts very fast laser pulses into bursts of radio-frequency signals (http://www.purdue.edu/newsroom/research/2010/100303QiMicrorings.html). This kind of technology could enable all communications such as high definition television broadcasts to computer connections in a single base station (from the Purdue link posted previously). Initially, this technology will only be used for one way traffic such as receiving HD television broadcasts, sending information to printers, anything that requires a display. Eventually, it will be integrated in devices that require two-way traffic such as hard drives and computers. This research is so inviting and useful because the radio frequencies generated are in the 60GHz range, which is in the unlicensed band (57-64GHz) and is permitted globally.

This technology is closer than people think and, according to Minghao Qi of Purdue Univesity, this technology is "at least five years away from being ready for commercialization." Bulky and expensive electronic products will be replaced by small and inexpensive electronic products.