Ion-Based Nanoelectric Memory Using Carbon Nanotube

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current non-volatile memory technologies, such as flash memory, face issues with high power consumption, slow write times, and limited write cycle endurance, while emerging technologies like NRAM, ReRAM, and phase-change memory have yet to be proven effective.

Innovation Solution

An ion-based nanoelectric memory device utilizing a mobile ion conductor in contact with a carbon nanotube (CNT) and an ion drift electrode (IDE) or a heater, where ions are shuttled back and forth to store information, with the ion conductor serving as a transport medium, and an electric field or heat is used to move ions between the IDE or heater and the CNT.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by stationary object

If flash memory is used for non-volatile storage, then data can be stored without power supply, but power consumption is high and write times are slow

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidwrite cycle endurance

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by stationary objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the charge trapping mechanism in flash memory with a mechanical ion transport system. Mobile ions (such as lithium ions) are physically moved through a solid electrolyte to and from a carbon nanotube, changing its conductivity state. This mechanical ion shuttling mechanism enables faster write speeds and higher write cycle endurance while consuming less power compared to electrical charge trapping in flash memory.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If flash memory is used, then non-volatile storage is achieved, but write cycle endurance is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewrite cycle enduranceVSAvoidwrite time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the electrical charge trapping mechanism with a mechanical ion transport system. Mobile ions are physically moved through a solid electrolyte to and from a carbon nanotube, changing its conductivity state. This mechanical ion shuttling mechanism enables faster write speeds and higher write cycle endurance compared to flash memory.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the operational parameter from electrical charge trapping to mechanical ion displacement. By using a solid electrolyte with high ionic conductivity and mobile ions, the system achieves rapid ion transport, enabling fast write times while maintaining non-volatile storage capability and improving write cycle endurance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Use of energy by moving object

If emerging memory technologies (NRAM, ReRAM, phase-change memory) are used, then power consumption and write speed may be improved, but reliability and proven effectiveness are yet to be demonstrated

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidproven effectiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a mechanical ion transport mechanism using mobile ions in a solid electrolyte to shuttle to and from a carbon nanotube. This approach draws inspiration from proven battery technology while adapting it for memory application, providing a reliable and demonstrably effective solution that improves upon emerging memory technologies.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This solution provides a potentially more efficient and durable memory technology by leveraging the high sensitivity of CNTs to ion presence, enabling reversible switching and improved write/read speeds with reduced power consumption.

Implementation Method 1

The mobile ion conductor may serve as a transport medium to shuttle one or more ions back and forth between the IDE and the CNT

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectIon drift: Electrophoresis

Implementation Method 2

a heater may be used to push the ions towards the CNT, which will be described more detail below

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal diffusion: Diffusion

Data Source

PatentUS11056647B2Ion-based nanoelectric memory

Publication Date: 2021.07.06 AEROSPACE CORP

AI summary

A carbon nanotube (CNT) single ion memory (or memory device) may include a mobile ion conductor with a CNT on one side and an ion drift electrode (IDE) on the other side. The mobile ion conductor may be used as a transport medium to shuttle ions to and from the CNT and the IDE. The IDE may move the ions towards or away from the CNT.