Teaching nanotechnology by introducing crossbar-based architecture and quantum-dot cellular automata

The end of photolithography as the driver for Moore's law is predicted within seven to twelve years and six different emerging technologies (mostly nanoscale) are expected to replace the current CMOS-based system integration paradigm. As nanotechnology is emerging, (1) there is a strong need for well-educated nanoscale systems engineers by industry, and (2) research and education efforts are also called to overcome numerous nanoscale systems issues. This paper is to propose a way to teach nanotechnology by introducing two emerging technologies: crossbar-based nanoarchitecture and quantum-dot cellular automata.