The Role of Nanotechnology in the Second Silicon Revolution

Paul J. McWhorter

Draft of Testimony for the Committee on Science

June 22, 1999

It is difficult to imagine any field of science or technology that has had a more profound impact on the last half of this century than microelectronics. The hallmark of the microelectronics industry has been to each year provide chips that are smaller, faster, cheaper and better. This has revolutionized all aspects of our lives from our most advanced weapon systems, to our toaster ovens. The global microelectronics industry has vectored ahead based on a very simple metric; to make transistors smaller. As transistors become smaller, they become faster, you can pack more and more of them on a chip, and chips are able to store and process more information. To date, this has been the silicon revolution.

Today, we stand on the verge of a second silicon revolution. The metrics of the second silicon revolution will be different and more important that simply continuing to pack more transistors onto a chip. The metrics of the second silicon revolution will be the incorporation of new structures, microscopic machines, on the chip, alongside the transistors, creating a whole new generation of computer chip; a chip that can not only think, but sense, act and communicate as well. These fully functioning machines have feature sizes smaller than a human red blood cell. This new capability will have as profound of an impact on our lives over the next 30 years as microelectronics have had over the last 30 years.

The "Second Silicon Revolution" has begun, and a variety of commercial products exist today that contain micromachines, ranging from toys to important automobile safety devices. To fully realize the potential of the "Second Silicon Revolution", however, certain scientific hurdles must be overcome. In the 1800’s, realization of high performance traditional macro-machines required the development of a fundamental understanding of the science of the micro-domain. Similarly, to effectively design, build and operate machines in the micro-domain, we must have a fundamental understanding of materials and surfaces in the nano-domain. Nanotechnology and nanoscience will be key elements of fully achieving the vision for micromachines and microsytems. It will be nanotechnology that will lead to new functions, better performance, and higher reliability in micromachines and microsystems.

[Show 2 minute video of actual micromachines in operation]

Paul J. McWhorter

Deputy Directory, Microsystems Center

Sandia National Laboratories

mailto:mcwhorpj@sandia.gov

mcwhorpj@sandia.gov

(505)-844-4683

http://www.mdl.sandia.gov/Micromachine

Biography

PAUL J. McWHORTER

Paul is presently serving as Deputy Director, Microsystems Science, Technology and Components Center at Sandia National Laboratories. Prior to assuming his present position, Paul initiated Sandia's Intelligent Micromachine Initiative in 1992, and has been the technical and programmatic leader of this activity. Under Paul's leadership this initiative has advanced the MEMS field by developing cutting edge technology for the integration of sensors, actuators and microelectronics on the same piece of silicon. This work has been recognized with 5 best paper awards, 2 R&D 100 awards, Industry Week's "Top Technology of the Year" Award, and Science News' Top Development of the Year Award. In 1998 Paul was named New Mexico Inventor of the Year.

Paul joined Sandia's Reliability Physics Department in 1985, developing predictive models for failure of integrated circuits. His research focused on the effects of the harsh radiation and thermal environments encountered in space and weapon applications on integrated circuits. These models are now used by Sandia and throughout industry to screen CMOS and nonvolatile memories for use in space and weapon systems.

A 1983 graduate of the University of Texas, Paul has a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering. He subsequently earned a Master of Science in Electrical Engineering degree from Stanford University in 1985. He lives in Albuquerque, NM with his wife, Anna, and their eight year old daughter.