The
Nanoradio: The Future of the =
Radio
Group
1
Emily
Hillis and Leigh Reed
Key
Words: &nbs=
p; Nanotube,
Radio waves, Carbon, Demodulator.
The
nanoradio is a tiny radio consisting of a carbon nanotube anchored to an
electrode, with a second electrode just beyond its free end. At the core of the nanoradio is a =
single
molecule that can receive radio signals.&n=
bsp;
It was developed by Alex Zettl and a research team at the University=
of
California in Berkeley. Wirel=
ess
devices could benefit from nanoradios because of its miniature size. Small
radios, though not as small as nanoradios, have already been a great benefi=
t to
the business community by creating new products such as radio frequency ide=
ntification
(RFID) tags. The nanora=
dio is
normally configured as a receiver but could also work as a transmitter. It is very similar to what you thi=
nk of
now as a radio but is 100 billion times smaller. Using these smaller devices decrea=
ses power
consumption and extends battery life.
Businesses world- wide could use this tool to improve all technology=
that
contains a radio by decreasing its size and its energy efficiency. The nanoradio combines the four ma=
in
components of the traditional radio, that are usually separate, and compact
them into a single carbon nanotube.
The nanotube works as an all-in-one antenna, tuner, amplifier, and
demodulator for both AM and FM. A
demodulator removes the AM or FM carrier frequency to retrieve the lower
frequency broadcast information. This
is the future mechanism we will use to transmit radio signals.
A
carbon nanotube is a hollow cylindrical molecule made of the element
carbon. Carbon nanotubes are =
the
strongest and stiffest materials on earth.=
Nanotubes are being investigated as semiconductors and for uses in
nanotechnology. In the nanora=
dio, the
nano-receiver works by translating the electromagnetic fluctuations of a ra=
dio
wave into mechanical vibrations in a nanotube, which are in turn converted =
into
a stream of electrical pulses that reproduce the original radio signal. The creation of the nano-receiver =
is
what led the research team to think of creating a nano-transmitter. Zettl’s team anchored a nano=
tube
to a metal electrode and wired it to a battery. Nanotubes are rolled-up sheets of
interlocked carbon atoms that form a tube so strong that some scientists ha=
ve
suggested using a nanotube wire to tether satellites in a fixed position ab=
ove
Earth. Just beyond the
nanotube’s free end is a second metal electrode and when voltage is
applied between the electrodes, electrons flow from the battery through the
first electrode and the nanotube and then jump from the nanotube’s tip
across the tiny gap to the second electrode. The nanotube is able to feel the v=
ibrations
of a passing radio wave, which has both an electrical and magnetic component
like all other electromagnetic waves.
Nanotubes
are about 10 nanometers in diameter and several hundred nanometers long, an=
d exhibit
unusual electronic properties for their size A nanometer is one billionth of a =
meter;
a human hair is about 50,000-100,000 nanometers in diameter. Zettl’s exploration of
electromechanical movement for multiple functions is seen as a totally
different approach to making a radio but “all four essential componen=
ts
of a radio receiver are compactly and efficiently implemented within the
vibrating and field-emitting carbon nanotube,” says Zettl. The comparison of the nanoradio to=
the
standard radio does not show much difference in the components used, howeve=
r,
it does differ in size and location of the components.
In
a normal sized radio, ambient radio waves from different transmitting stati=
ons
generate small currents at different frequencies in the antenna, while a tu=
rner
selects one of these frequencies to amplify. In the nanoradio, the nanotube, as=
the
antenna, detects radio waves mechanically by vibrating at radio frequencies=
. The nanotube is placed in a vacuum=
and
hooked to a battery, which covers its tip with negatively charged electrons,
and the electric field of the radio wave pushes and pulls the tip thousands=
to
millions of times per second. The
amplified output of this simple nanotube device is enough to power a very
sensitive earphone. Zettl adm=
its,
“It’s ridiculously simple – that’s the beauty of
it.”
Zettl’s
miniature nanotube radios could improve everything from cellular devices to=
any
form of diagnostic equipment. The
radios would allow communication between tiny devices such as environmental=
sensors. An environmental sensor is a devic=
e that
measures a physical quantity and converts it into a signal which can be rea=
d by
an observer or by an instrument like a thermometer. Shrinking the size of
radios has been a technological goal since 1955 when RCA first marketed its
“pocket-sized transistor radios”. More recently, the creation of even
smaller radios has led to products like the previously mentioned RFID tags.=
RFID tags, made by electronic
manufacturers, are used for identification and tracking using radio signals=
. In recent years, Zettl’s res=
earch
group was determined to create even smaller radios, implementing at the
molecular level in order to create inexpensive wireless environment sensors=
. This move will not only help=
the
business world at an economic level but in our technological effectiveness.=
Nanoradios are extremely energy
efficient which is an undeniable advantage for anyone. It seems that the “nanopod&#=
8221;
radio would certainly put the iPod out of business when it comes to its use=
in
the music world. Implementation of the nanoradio gives America an absolute advantage in a crucial =
area
of technology.
According
to The San Diego Union-Tribune, “Zettl said the practical application=
s of
the nanoradio could include cell phones, climate-monitoring systems, and
radio-controlled diagnostic probes that could move through the human
bloodstream.” This is a
significant gain in competitive advantage because it would put nanotechnolo=
gy
ahead of many, if not all, other medical equipment technologies. “The entire radio would easi=
ly fit
inside a living cell, and this small size allows it to safely interact with
biological systems,” said Zettl.&nbs=
p;
The nanotube radio would make it possible to implant a device in the
inner ear as a new and discrete way to correct impaired hearing. It could be a great and cost effec=
tive
innovation for a multitude of uses.
From
the majestic operation to the microscopic parts, the nanoradio is the futur=
e of
many common technologies. The
economic influence will be great.
The nanotube radio is the key to many great innovations. Zettl has proven to the technologi=
cal
community that this idea is phenomenal.&nb=
sp;
It could dramatically reduce the amount of energy used for many devi=
ces
and give rise to a new wave of technology.=
Simplifying the standard radio into a nanoradio could be Zettl’=
;s
best invention yet. Businesse=
s and
consumers alike will greatly benefit while advancing future technology
conceptions. Investing in our
future is what Zettl and his research team plan to do.
References=
Jensen,
K., Weldon, J., Garcia, H., & Zettl, A. (2007, August 21).
Nanotube
Radio.
Retrieved
October 29, 2008 from
Jensen,
K., Weldon, J., Garcia, H., & Zettl, A. (2007, November 9). Nanotube Ra=
dio.
Supplementary
materials.
Retrieved
November 08, 2008 from
http://www=
.physics.berkeley.edu/research/zettl/projects/nanoradio/radio.html
Service,
R. (2008). Technology review published by MIT.
TR10:
NanoRadio.
Retrieved =
October
29, 2008 from
The
San Diego Union-Tribune. (2007, November 3). San Francisco Chronicle.
UC
Berkeley physicist creates a truly teensy radio.
Retrieved
November 06, 2008 from
http://www=
.signonsandiego.com/uniontrib/20071103/news_lz1n3read.html
1)&n=
bsp;
The nanoradio was developed by Alex Zettl and his research
team at the University of________
a)&n=
bsp;
Central Arkansas
b)&n=
bsp;
California in Berkeley
c)&n=
bsp;
Washington
d)&n=
bsp;
Iowa
2)&n=
bsp;
What type of waves can the nanoradio receive and transmit=
?
a.&n=
bsp;
Microwaves
b.&n=
bsp;
Infrared
c.&n=
bsp;
Longitudinal wave
d.&n=
bsp;
Radio Waves
3)&n=
bsp;
A nanometer is one billionth of=
a
meter in diameter, closest to the size of a _________.
a.&n=
bsp;
Human Cell
b.&n=
bsp;
Fingernail
c.&n=
bsp;
Hay
d.&n=
bsp;
Small Tree
4)&n=
bsp;
The nanoradio is ___________.
a.&n=
bsp;
Energy efficient
b.&n=
bsp;
Small
c.&n=
bsp;
Simple
d.&n=
bsp;
All of the above
5)&n=
bsp;
The nanoradio is ___billion times smaller than standard
radios.
a.&n=
bsp;
1/2
b.&n=
bsp;
100
c.&n=
bsp;
1
d.&n=
bsp;
2