A Closer Look at DNA Nanotechnology


Prof. Tabata presents a very novel concept of using DNA to assemble and configure microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) devices. He envisions that future nanosystems could also be built using this concept. He provides preliminary experimental support to his visions in the following article. 159O. Tabata, “A Closer Look at DNA Nanotechnology,” IEEE Nanotechnology Magazine, Vol. 4, Issue 4, pp.13-17.[LINK][DOWNLOAD]

ABSTRACT A nanosystem in which multiple nanoscale functional components made of a variety of nanomaterials are integrated with a microelectromechanical system (MEMS) becomes increasingly important as a key device for the next generation. A deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) nanotechnology is expected to play an important role to bridge the gap between the nanoscale components (nanocomponents) and the microscale MEMS as a complementary approach for top–down manufacturing technique and bottom–up manufacturing technique to realize nanosystems. From the design viewpoint of a system, such as large-scale integrated circuits (LSI), MEMS, and nanosystem, it should be noted that the complexity is an essence to generate its functionality. The functionality of LSI/MEMS/nanosystem, where functional components are simply arranged in a periodic order, is limited. Periodic nanostructure can be a part of a nanosystem as a nanocomponent, but it is not enough. Interaction and cooperation of multiple nanocomponents with different features make it possible to generate a unique and useful functionality of a nanosystem.