Scientists have designed a nanoscale computer that’s smaller than a virus
Nanoscale computers could work inside, or outside the body to help control, direct and interact with other atomic, molecular or nanoscale devices and systems.
Key takeaways
- While the trend for miniaturisation in consumer technology has been halted in recent years with the rise of the 'phablet', the internal components of most of your gadgets are continuing to get smaller.
- The full details of the computing device were published in the journal Nano Research.
Cite or link to this article
Griffin, M. (2016) 'Scientists have designed a nanoscale computer that’s smaller than a virus', 311 Institute, 15 November. Available at: https://www.311institute.com/scientists-have-designed-a-nanoscale-computer-thats-smaller-than-a-virus/ (Accessed: 1 October 2026).
While the trend for miniaturisation in consumer technology has been halted in recent years with the rise of the 'phablet', the internal components of most of your gadgets are continuing to get smaller.
In 1959 renowned physicist Richard Feynman, in his talk “Plenty of Room at the Bottom,” spoke of a future in which tiny machines could perform huge feats. Like many forward-looking concepts, his molecule and atom-sized world remained for years in the realm of science fiction but now, engineers at the University of California, Santa Barbara, have designed the world's smallest nanoscale computing device. It uses an unconventional form of logic and measures less than 50 nanometres on each side, that's the same size as a biological virus.
The stacked memresistor design
“Novel computing paradigms are needed to keep up with the demand for faster, smaller and more energy-efficient devices,” said Gina Adam, who worked on the project, "in a regular computer, data processing and memory storage are separated, which slows down computation. Processing data directly inside a 3D memory structure would allow more data to be stored and processed much faster."
And that's exactly what the team did. They used an unusual logic system called "Material Implication Logic", where the computers logic operations and information storage happen simultaneously in the same place, not separated as in most computers. As a result, no space is needed to move data back and forth to the memory.
While the technology to fabricate computers this small are still lagging the teams new design is the first step towards creating computing systems that can operate, for example, inside the body, where it could control, direct and interface with nanobots, or outside of the body where they could compliment next generation molecular computers, and smartdust - small millimetre scale electromechanical (MEMs) devices that can come together to carry out certain tasks.
“Since this technology is still new, more research is needed to increase its reliability and lifetime and to demonstrate large scale 3D circuits tightly packed in tens or hundreds of layers,” Adam said.
The full details of the computing device were published in the journal Nano Research.
What this means for your organisation
Memory and logic share one place.
The design uses Material Implication Logic. Logic operations and information storage happen together, so no space is needed to move data back and forth. Adam says separate processing and memory slows computation. Our data puts 3D stacked DRAM memory at wide use by 2036, with a first product in 2030.
The timeline is long.
Fabrication of computers this small still lags the design. Adam says more research is needed on reliability and lifetime. Large 3D circuits packed in tens or hundreds of layers are yet to be shown. Our data puts nanoscale computing at a first product in 2035 and wide use by 2070, with an action rating of Watch.
Early uses sit beside nanobots.
The team points to control of nanobots inside the body. Outside it, the device could complement molecular computers and smartdust. Our data puts nano-machines at wide use by 2054 and molecular computing at a first product in 2040. Both sit at technology readiness level 3.
Three questions for your next leadership meeting
- Which of our products depend on moving data between memory and processors?
- What would we do if tiny controllers reached nanobots earlier than expected?
- Who owns watching nanoscale and molecular computing here, and how often do they report?
The trends and technologies behind this story
From the 311 Starburst, the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit’s map of the technologies and trends shaping the next 50 years.
Analysis by the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit, from Matthew Griffin’s article and 311 data. First published on Fanatical Futurist.
FAQ
Why does this matter?
Nanoscale computers could work inside, or outside the body to help control, direct and interact with other atomic, molecular or nanoscale devices and systems.
About the author
Matthew Griffin Founder, President and Futurist, 311 Institute
Matthew Griffin is a multi-award winning Futurist and expert in Disruption and Innovation, Geopolitics, Leadership, and Technology, who NASA have described as a "walking encyclopaedia of the future" and a "futurist Polymath."
Read full bio
Matthew Griffin is a multi-award winning Futurist and expert in Disruption and Innovation, Geopolitics, Leadership, and Technology, who NASA have described as a "walking encyclopaedia of the future" and a "futurist Polymath." 17-time best selling author of the "Codex of the Future" series, Matthew is the Founder, President and Futurist of the 311 Institute, a global Futures and Deep Futures advisory firm working with royal households, world leaders, G7, G20, and G77 governments, NGOs, and multi-national mid and mega cap firms to help them explore, shape, and lead the next 50 years of business and society.
An award-winning YouTube creator with over a million followers, with an unrivalled global reach and impact, Matthew is a highly sought-after international keynote speaker, lecturer, and mentor who collaborates with global leaders through the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) and United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) to shape pivotal initiatives such as the UN’s AI for Humanity programme, the United Nations Conference of the Parties (UN COP), and the World Economic Forum in Davos.
As the former Global Head of Cloud, National Security, and Enterprise Sales for companies including Atos, Dell-EMC, and IBM, Matthew has a proven track record of building multi-billion dollar business units and turning failing divisions into market leaders. His ability to identify, analyse, and communicate the implications of hundreds of emerging technologies and trends is unparalleled, and his insights are trusted by many of the world’s most respected organisations, including ABB, Accenture, Adidas, AON, ARM, BCG, Centrica, Citi, Coca-Cola, Dentons, Deloitte, Dow Jones, EY, Google, KPMG, Lego, Legal & General, LinkedIn, Microsoft, PepsiCo, Qualcomm, RWE, Samsung, Siemens AG and Siemens Energy, T-Mobile, UBS, VISA, Walmart, Workday, Worldpay and many others.
Regularly featured in the global media including the AP, BBC, Bloomberg, CNBC, Discovery, Forbes, Khaleej Times, Telegraph, TIME, ViacomCBS, WIRED, and the WSJ, Matthews mission is to help organisations create a fair and sustainable future whose benefits are shared by everyone irrespective of their ability, background, or circumstances.
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Sources and further reading
- Richard Feynman en.wikipedia.org
- University of California universityofcalifornia.edu
- Smartdust en.wikipedia.org
- S12274 016 1260 1 link.springer.com
Source: first published by the 311 Institute on 15 November 2016. Cite as: Griffin, M. (2016). Scientists have designed a nanoscale computer that’s smaller than a virus. 311 Institute. https://www.311institute.com/scientists-have-designed-a-nanoscale-computer-thats-smaller-than-a-virus/
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