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When computers came out, they were huge. The ENIAC, completed in 1946, took up 1800 square feet of space and weighed nearly 50 tons. How, then, did the computer become an object of research in the field of nanoelectronics, which only studies electronic devices consisting of atoms up to 100 nm? The answer lies in the historical progression of computers and hardware design.
In the 1950s and ’60s, computers were used by large businesses and organizations who worked from a single-purpose computer in a central location. It was during the 1950s that computer builders determined that cutting down on the size of parts and circuitry in the electronic digital computer actually increased efficiency and speed. After years of experimentation, scientists began using conductive circuit boards instead of wiring. This allowed them to use capacitors and resistors.
During the 1970s, computer users turned towards cheaper systems that could be used for a variety of applications. As scientists continued working on the evolution of the hardware, they found that vacuum deposition of transistors worked well. This was when they began using “chips.”
During the 1980s, chips became commonplace. Personal computers (PCs) came out on the market since they were now small enough to be used by individuals. These computers were run by microprocessors by the late 1980s.
In the 1990s, computers continued getting smaller. Notebooks and laptops were common tools for usage. In the early 21st century, computer devices became even more minute. As the electronic gadgets became smaller and people began using the computers for everything from data entry to Internet surfing, limitations became evident on existing hardware. Silicon, a key element in conductivity, overheats, uses too much power, and becomes ineffective when shrunk too much. This is where nanoelectronics come into play. Scientists are studying molecules and atoms to create new materials for the ever shrinking computer.
