I suppose there is always a world’s smallest electronic circuit in existence at any one time, although the issue of just how small it is depends on how one sees it. After all, if the smallest is still as large as a mouse, it would still reign as such until something smaller comes along. Case in point, a study performed by McGill University and Sandia National Laboratories has resulted in a new champion for this particular category, where the circuit comprises of a mere couple of wires, and could very well be further developed to be an important part of the future of smaller electronics.
This circuit managed to achieve such a tiny size because the two bare wires are actually separated by a mere 15nm distance, which is the rough equivalent of about 150 atoms thick. Since distance is the main parameter which sees the phenomenon known as Coulomb Drag come into existence, whenever both two wires remain undisturbed in each other’s vicinity, they will behave differently than normal. Current will begin to flow in them, albeit in opposite directions. It would be interesting to see what kind of practical applications this new electronic circuit is able to achieve in the world of consumer electronics down the road.
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