palo contralto california mathematical group stanford university research worker moved step closer answering question happens silicon standard material today microelectronic electrical circuit reaches fundamental restrict manipulation increasingly small transistors paper journal nature midweek researchers reported successfully built working computer albeit extremely bare one entirely transistors fashioned carbon nanotubes nanotubeshave long held promise allowing smaller faster computing though proved difficult work computer right perform basic functions speeds likened computer tiny machine hailed discovery search alternative silicon transistors carbon nanotubes cnts sheets carbon molecule tens thousands fit width single human tomentum pliable highest ratio known material silicon good semiconductor reduced thin bed experts believe structure cnts crataegus laevigata make better carrying currents thus yielding transistors faster energy efficient smaller atomic number 14 hoi polloi talking new era carbon nanotube electronics moving beyond silicon said stanford prof subhasish mitra led research demonstrations complete digital systems using exciting technology computer square millimetres size able do basic counting functions using transistor holding nanotubes carry kilohertz processing capacity millions metre weaker today computers limit due team using university facility rather industrial treat meaning computer could theory made much bigger faster statement study said machine ran basic control system allowed multitask swap two processes added mitra team able grapple two inherent shortcomings cnt transistors tubes always grow absolutely consecutive lines means mispositioned ones cause scant circuit others changed form switched team devised method acting burn rid of uncontrolled cnts transistor bypass mispositioned single