NANOSYS · Nanosystems: Architectures, Design and Applications

Nanosystems are integrated systems exploiting nanoelectronic devices. In particular, this proposal considers silicon nanowire and carbon nanotube technologies as replacement/enhancement of current silicon technologies. This proposal addresses high-risk, high-reward research, unique in its kind. The broad objective of this proposal is to study system organization, architectures and design tools which, based on a deep understanding and abstraction of the manufacturing technologies, allow us to realize nanosystems that outperform current integrated systems in terms of capabilities and performance. Thus this proposal will address modelling of technological aspects, synthesis and optimization of information processing functions from high-level specifications into the nanofabric, and new design technologies for specific aspects of nanosystems including, but not limited to, sensing and interfacing with the environment. This proposal will address also cross-cutting design goals such as ultra-low power and high-dependability design, with the overall objective of realizing nanosystems that are autonomous (w.r. to energy consumption) and autonomic (i.e., self healing). The scientific novelty of this proposal stems from the use of a nanofabric, where computation, sensing and communication are supported by a homogeneous means as well as from the study of algorithmic tools for mapping high-level functions onto the nanofabric. The intrinsic benefit of this research is to provide a design flow that extends both the technological basis and the capabilities of integrated systems, thus strengthening the industrial European position in a key sector where disruptive innovation is key for survival. The extrinsic benefit of this research is to broaden the use of nanosystems to new domains, including mobile/distributed embedded systems, health/environment management, and other areas that are critical to our lives.