Science NIE ACTIVITY
is a series presented in
… IN CONNECTICUT
Nanoelectronics:
Faster, Smaller And Better!
Helena Silva, Assistant Professor of Electrical Engineering
University of Connecticut
The first computers occupied whole rooms and consumed enormous amounts
of power to perform relatively simple tasks compared to computers today. Today’s
complex computational tasks (from the apps on an iPhone to life-saving medical
imaging techniques and everything in between) are delivered by tiny processors
(about the size of a quarter).
These advances have been possible through continuous miniaturization of
electronics resulting in faster and smaller devices and lower overall power use.
My research focuses on nanoelectronic semiconductor devices, such as the silicon
transistors that make up the computer microprocessors we use (~billions of
transistors on each processor; an iPhone has 128 or 256 billion of them as flash
memory!). Smaller size means less power consumption and faster operation. At
these very small sizes we can attain new and different properties which can lead
to new or improved devices, like a light source designed for optimum performance
or better solar cells for power generation.
One of our current projects examines thermoelectricity in nano-size
semiconductor devices. We are studying how thermoelectric properties at
nanoscale might be used to develop better devices. If devices have better
thermoelectric energy conversion efficiency they could be used for clean power
generation or cooling (for example to generate electricity in a car from the
exhausted heat).
Research in nanoelectronics can lead to advances in our understanding of the
physical world and to better instruments which can help improve people’s lives.
Check these out:
http://www.ehow.com/about_5121710_nanoelectronics-basics.html
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IX-gTobCJHs
http://inhabitat.com/tag/nano-electronics/www.youtube.com/
watch?v=bkP7v8yYivQ (BMW efficient mobility thermoelectric generator)
• Often scientific discoveries or technological advances are not readily accepted by
the general population. Identify controversial, science-related subjects reported in
today’s news. Determine the opposing views, the reason for the controversy and
how the controversy might be resolved.
• At times, technology conflicts with nature. Find examples in the news. Is it possible
to resolve those conflicts. If yes, how?
For students who are blind, learning disabled or print challenged, visit CRIS Radio at
http://www.chrisradio.org and click Kids On-Demand for a free audio version of Science Matters.
Next Page: January 27th
Science Matters!
collaboration with the Connecticut Academy of
Science and Engineering and the Connecticut
Science Center.
For more information, visit www.courantnie.com
or call 860.241.3847.
WHO AM I? …ELECTRICAL
ENGINEERING (EE) PROFESSOR
• Teaches EE to undergraduate and graduate students.
• At research universities, professors also conduct research and
advise graduate students. Through research, professors contribute
to their field and can bring the excitement of new discoveries and advances to
the classroom.
• Education: a doctoral degree in engineering or science is required, following
a bachelor’s degree in a related field.
• Connecticut’s State University System and many private universities employ
engineering professors. Individuals with PhDs in engineering also have many job
opportunities in industry and universities like Yale and UConn.
WORDS TO KNOW
• Nanoelectronics – electronic devices with dimensions on the order of 100 nanometers
and less (nanometer = 1 billionth of a meter).
• Semiconductor – a material that can act as an insulator or a conductor; this switching
property of semiconductors is key in the operation of transistors.
• Silicon – chemical element; most common semiconductor material due to its physical
properties and abundance (extracted from sand).
• Transistor – a three terminal electronic device that acts as a switch or amplifier and is the
building block of all modern electronics.
• Thermoelectricity – direct conversion between electrical and thermal energy through energy
carried by charges.
MEET THE SCIENTIST …Dr. Silva
When I was young, I liked reading, knitting and doing crochet which I learned from my
grandmothers. I enjoyed learning how things work. My father is an electrical engineer and a
science enthusiast. Many conversations and visits to the plant he worked at sparked my curiosity.
I liked the exactness of math and how it is used to study the physical world. For college, based on
my interests and the broad career possibilities, I decided to study engineering physics.
DIG INTO SCIENCE
…and experiment!
Floating Eggs
Normally, if you drop an egg in a glass of water, it will sink. Have you ever wondered
why? Making an egg float may help answer your question!
Try this:
• Materials: one egg, water, a tall drinking glass, and salt
• Procedure: Pour water into the drinking glass until it is about out
half full. Add about 6 tablespoons of salt and stir. Once the salt
is dissolved, slowly fill the glass the rest of the way with
water and do NOT mix! Gently lower the egg into the
water and watch what happens!
What did you notice?
Explanation: The density of an object AND the density
of the liquid it is in will determine if an object floats or sinks. Salt water is much
denser than regular water. So, if you were careful not to mix your regular water
with your salt water, you should end up with an egg floating in the middle of your
glass!