New nanoscale assembly technology created

BOSTON, May 29 (UPI) -- U.S. scientists say they have created a technology that improves the assembly of single-walled carbon nanotube networks from microns to inches.

The researchers at the National Science Foundation's Nanoscale Science and Engineering Center for High-rate Nanomanufacturing at Northeastern University -- with partners at the University of Massachusetts and the University of New Hampshire -- said their technique is expected to have a tremendous impact on the nanotechnology industry.

The scientists, led by Northeastern Professor Ahmed Busnaina, said the new technology creates a viable circuit template that can be transferred from one substrate to another for optimum productivity.

The scientists said their revolutionary assembly process can "scale-up" nanoscale structures on the wafer level and has the potential to change the way electronics and other applications are developed for consumers.

"This technology is a platform for many applications and the fact that it is scalable makes it easier to bring to market," said Busnaina. "The cost of current nanomanufacturing techniques is sky high and our product has the potential to increase productivity tremendously without sacrificing reliability."

The process is to be displayed during next week's Nano Science and Technology Institute's Nanotech 2008 Conference in Boston.