BENEFITS OF NANOCOMPUTING

Nanocomputing is a term used for the representation and manipulation of data by computers smaller than a microcomputer. In 2001, state-of-the-art electronic devices could be as small as about 100 nm, which is about the same size as a virus. The integrated circuits (IC) industry, however, looks to the future to determine the smallest electronic devices possible within the limits of computing technology.

The current goal is to produce computers smaller than 10 nanometers. Future developments in nanocomputing will provide resolutions to the current difficulties of forming computing technology at the nanoscale. For example, current nano sized transistors have been found to produce a quantum tunnelling effect where electrons ‘tunnel’ through barriers, making them unsuitable for use as a standard switch.

In addition to discovering new devices on the nanoscale, it is critically important to devise new ways to interconnect these devices for useful applications. One potential architecture is called cellular neural networks (CNN) in which devices are connected to neighbours, and as inputs are provided at the edge, the interconnects cause a change in the devices to sweep like a wave across the array, providing an output at the other edge.

The increased computing power formed by nanocomputers will allow for the solution of exponentially difficult real world problems. Nanocomputing also has the advantage of being produced to fit into any environment, including the human body, whilst being undetectable to the naked eye. The small size of devices will allow for processing power to be shared by thousands of nanocomputers. Nanocomputing in the form of DNA nanocomputers and quantum computers will require different technology than current microcomputing techniques but supply their own benefits.

DNA nanocomputing

Nanocomputing can be produced by a number of nanoscale structures including biomolecules such as DNA and proteins. As DNA functions through a coding system of four nucleobases it is suited for application in data processing. DNA nanocomputers could produce faster problem solving through the ability to explore all potential solutions simultaneously. This is in contrast to conventional computers which solve problems by exploring solution paths one at a time in a series of steps.

Solutions to difficult problems would no longer be constrained by processing time. DNA has the ability to provide this level of computing ability at the nanoscale because of the endless possible rearrangements of DNA through gene-editing technology. The large number of random genetic code combination can be used for processing solutions simultaneously, necessary for solving exponentially difficult real world problems.

Quantum computing

Quantum computing provides computational power at the nanoscale with abilities that reach beyond the limitations of conventional computers. This is because quantum computers store and manipulate data through the utilization of subatomic particles dynamics. Binary computers process single pieces of information as a binary state, either a 1 or a 0. Subatomic particles have two states, but can also exist in any superposition of states. This means they are governed by the laws of quantum mechanics rather than classical physics allowing them to compute solutions to problems with greater speed whilst requiring less space.

USES OF NANOCOMPUTING IN MEDICINE

In the field of medicine, storage of personal medical data is very difficult. The confidentiality, integrity, reliability and security in storage and transmission of digital images are the primary concerns in the medical field. Through DNA based nanocomputing this problem can be solved to some extent. Using Chen’s hyper chaotic map and the Lorenz chaos system it is able to enhance the security of the medical images. Since the DNA sequences are very complex and complicated to predict and analyse for each individual it is suitable to enhance the security of medical image encryption and provides high security required for digital medical images. The use of nanotechnology in computing is becoming a potential alternative and its applications in the medicinal field are also investigated worldwide. Nanocomputing could be used in the development of biosensors capable of detection of disease or abnormalities, body implantable devices capable of targeted drug release and precise imaging of internal organs. Targeted drug delivery using magnetic nanoparticles could effectively fight off diseases localized in certain tissues without affecting the entire body.

With the direct correlation between early diagnosis and survival rate, nanocomputing could be used in bringing down mortality rate caused by microbial diseases by making prior detection possible. According to the report by World Health Organization (WHO), nearly 50,000 people including children die every day due to infections. Much of it could be reduced by early diagnosis and treatment. Usual diagnosing techniques require weeks for confirmation of diseases whereas nano devices could make diagnosis possible within 24 hours which is beneficial especially in cases of infections like tuberculosis that requires earliest detection for better treatment. Quantum dots associated with antibodies based immunoassays are also arising as technique for multiplex detection of diseases. Quantum dots also finds potential use as less toxic alternative to organic dyes used in medical imaging. Nanotechnology based biosensors is presently investigated as a means for characterization of diseases by allowing real time sensing and monitoring of various biomolecules such as hormones, growth factors, enzymes and even RNA molecules that have a key role in regulating gene expression such as the micro RNA without any toxic labelling.

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Sarah Rose
Managing Editor
Journal of Swarm Intelligence and Evolutionary Computation