Nanotechnology research could lead to smaller electronic components

Electronic components that are virtually invisible to the naked eye could potentially be used in many appliances and gadgets.

This is the conclusion of a study by McGill University, which was carried out to measure how nano-particles could be used in tandem with solar technology, the Montreal Gazette reports.

Researchers discovered that the microscopic particles were able to create voltages sufficient to power items such as mobile phones, computers and iPods.

Lead scientist Pooja Tyagi described the implications of the findings as “very exciting”, as her team are the first to discover and analyse this effect.

“Nano-particles are so small and we need to understand their properties if we want to control nano devices,” she added.

This comes after flash memory card specialist SanDisk Corporation developed an integrated circuit-based storage solution that weighs less than a paper clip and is smaller than a postage stamp.

Spokesperson Doron Myersdorf said the ultra-thin and mobile computer markets are likely to expand significantly over the next few years.

Rapid Electronics is a leading UK supplier of energy saving products, electronic components and electrical equipment.